Those wondering whether there are any crucial gardening jobs that need to be undertaken in January — look no further, because a former royal gardener has all the answers.
Parul Sharma GAU audience writer
08:00, 28 Dec 2025
It’s important to do these crucial gardening tasks in January(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
As the new year rolls around and winter captures the UK in its icy clutches, avid gardeners are no doubt preparing to take on the coming year — and the frosty conditions it kicks off with.
For those wondering whether there are any crucial gardening jobs that need to be undertaken in January — look no further, because a former royal gardener has all the answers.
Jack Stooks, who worked at Highgrove for two decades, in collaboration with Heart Bingo, has revealed exactly which gardening tasks need to be completed in January to ensure your green spaces are protected from the frosts and thriving come spring.
Jack shares: “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 ex Highgrove employee adds: “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 is forever a hot topic of conversation among avid green-thumbers, is one aspect of the garden to watch out for, warns Jack, especially in the chilly winter months.
The former royal gardener cautions: “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.”
Gardens still need attention during the winter months(Image: Getty Images)
Elaborating on how we’re almost at that point in winter where we have limited time to get outside and go into the garden, the expert adds: “You can cut back any old growth you haven’t got to. 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.”
When it comes to protecting your plants, especially tender varieties like olive trees, Jack suggests using garden fleece. The expert advises: “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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