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44 Phonebox Magazine | January 2025HAPPY NEW REAR (GARDEN)It can get cold and frosty, and the ground might feel like it has turned to rock, but that%u2019s no excuse for not getting out into your garden to tackle some jobs.Think of the winter months in the garden as a time to prepare, maintain and replenish, in readiness for spring and the warmer, longer days ahead. With a new year beginning, it%u2019s as good a time as any to get some much needed jobs done in the garden.There%u2019s tidying to be done, planting to think about, raking and preparation to tackle, and wildlife to feed. While winter can seem a bit gloomy in the garden it should still be a period of activity.So what are the gardening jobs to do in January? Here are Phonebox%u2019s top tips of tasks that will keep you busy during the winter months. A little work now will benefi t you greatly later.LAWN TO BE WILDIt could well have had a tough summer, in between getting dried out and being well used in equal measure and, although it%u2019s hardy and evergreen, the lawn needs a little rest over winter. Avoid walking on it as much as possible as grass blades and roots can be damaged more easily at this time of year. Give the surface a raking to clear dead leaves and moss and trim the edges for a neat and tidy fi nish.BORDER PATROLCut back your borders by removing dead heads and trimming back any fl owers that look messy. As foliage gets thinned out you might fi nd yourself with some bare space to fi ll. Do this with wall fl owers, which are hardy and strong. Cut back any herbaceous perennials to keep things looking tidy but leave a few at the back %u2013 they make a useful winter habitat for garden animals.SPRING AHEAD WITH PLANTINGGet ready for the coming year by planting some bulbs for the spring. There could be a really cold snap coming so make sure the bulbs are planted deep and away from the perils of frost. Don%u2019t just go for one colour %u2013 mix up some varieties and plant together so that you get a broader spread of colour.FENCE SENSENow is a good time to check your garden fences for wobbles or damage. Wobbly fence panels just get worse if a storm brews up and starts moving it backwards and forwards. Got any pergolas or other timber structures in your garden? Give them a coat of preservative, but make sure they are dry before applying anything.TOOLS DOWNThe lawn mower could probably do with a brush of its rotor or blades. If you have a motor mower a visit to a dealer for a service might pay dividends. Clean your trusty old garden tools, sharpening edges, wiping down and spraying with light oil across metal surfaces.STEP TO ITGive any patios, decking, steps and pathways a brisk sweeping with a stiff brush and clear away loose, dead leaves. They can become waterlogged and then freeze to the ground if not sorted. You%u2019ll get rid of moss and algae at the same time when you%u2019re doing this.LEAF IT OUTLeaves are a constant problem as winter arrives. Shed, greenhouse, conservatory and out-building gutters will almost certainly become clogged with vegetation, so have a look and pull out whatever you can. Blocked up down pipes result in gutters overfl owing plus there will be no winter rain water reaching your butts or collection devises.FEED THE BIRDSFood becomes scarcer over winter which makes life harder for birds. A feeder with nuts, seeds or fat balls will go a long way towards helping your feathered friends. Clean feeders to maintain basic hygiene. If you have a bird bath or water feeder it will need regular checks to ensure it hasn%u2019t frozen over. Some warm water will help thaw it.VEGGIES TO PLANT IN WINTERGet planting bulbs and seeds for the coming springtime and beyond. These hardy examples of good quality vegetables and salad will survive the winter and will start to peep their shoots through the soil as the fi rst quarter of the year passes.Onions Shallots Garlic Spring OnionsSpinach Peas Asparagus CabbageCarrots Parsnips Pak Choi CeleriacSprouts Broad Beans Chard Kale