Former Highgrove gardener Jack Stooks, who worked for King Charles for 20 years, has shared the crucial winter tasks that need to be completed in January to protect your garden.
Parul Sharma GAU audience writer
08:00, 28 Dec 2025
It’s important to do these crucial gardening tasks in January(Image: Getty Images)
As the new year approaches and winter tightens its grip on the UK with freezing temperatures, keen gardeners are undoubtedly gearing up for the months ahead — starting with the frosty conditions of January.
For those questioning which essential gardening tasks should be tackled during the first month of the year, expert advice is at hand from a former Royal gardener.
Jack Stooks, who spent two decades working at Highgrove, has collaborated with Heart Bingo to share precisely which gardening jobs must be completed in January to safeguard your outdoor spaces from frost damage and ensure they flourish when spring arrives.
Jack explains: “Between now and January, get your borders tidied up. We are now at the point where most of the leaves have fallen, so once cleared, you won’t get many more now. Now is a really good time to do this.”
Jack Stooks worked at Highgrove for two decades(Image: Betway / Jack Stooks)
The former Highgrove staff member continues: “Spring bulbs are already coming up too. If you can get compost or mulch down now, do it now, sooner rather than later. If that takes until January, get your mulch down then.”
Grass, which remain a perennial hot topic amongst dedicated gardening enthusiasts, require particular attention during the cold winter period, Jack warns.
The ex-royal gardener advises: “We’re starting to get cold days where you can’t walk on frosted grass because it bruises and kills it. Do not do this. You have to have minimal footprint over the grass, so definitely wait for soil to defrost before you can get back onto it.”
Highlighting how we’re approaching that stage in winter where opportunities to venture outdoors and tend to the garden become scarce, the expert continues: “You can cut back any old growth you haven’t got to.
Gardens still need attention during the winter months(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“Dahlias can be dug up or left in if you’re feeling brave, and see how they do. But make sure that they are mulched.”
Regarding safeguarding your plants, particularly delicate varieties such as olive trees, Jack recommends utilising garden fleece, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The expert explains: “Garden fleece can be brought which can protect tender plants – like olive trees. This can be used to protect plants and trees from the frost in the colder months.
“You can also make protective hessian “sausages” filled with straw, which we used to do at Highgrove. These can be tied around plants to give them extra protection in the cold.
“If we have snow, we should also knock this off plants so that they don’t snap any plants or shoots.”
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