What do I do in the garden in January?
Observe, Protect, and Prepare for What Comes Next
January is the heart of winter. The garden is fully dormant, the soil often frozen or saturated, and growth has retreated underground. Snow may blanket the beds, or thaws may expose resting earth. This is not a void in the growing cycle. It is a critical holding phase.
Winter shows us patterns we cannot see any other time of year and asks us to slow down enough to notice them.
Observe and Take Note
January strips the landscape down to its essentials. This is the best time to read your site.
Watch where snow melts first and where it lingers longest.
Notice how water moves during midwinter thaws. Where does it pool, sheet, or drain away?
Pay attention to wind patterns and cold pockets, especially near buildings, hedgerows, and slopes.
These observations guide better decisions about drainage, plant placement, raised beds, and microclimate creation later.
Pro Tip: Take photos from the same vantage point after storms and thaws. Patterns become obvious when you compare them.
Care for Trees and Woody Plants
Winter is a time for assessment and intervention - you can finally do something about that unwieldy shrub!
Inspect trees and shrubs for broken limbs, storm damage, or signs of stress.
Protect young trees from rodents with hardware cloth or tree guards, keeping guards a few inches away from the trunk.
Pro Tip: If you are unsure whether a plant should be pruned now, wait or reach out to us for guidance. Late winter offers a wider pruning window with less risk.
Seeds, Tools, and Systems
While the ground rests, the gardener prepares.
Review seed inventories and order thoughtfully, choosing varieties suited to your site.
Attend or organize a seed swap. National Seed Swap Day falls on the last Saturday in January and is a great way to build community and local resilience.
Clean, sharpen, and repair tools so spring work begins calmly.
Sketch garden layouts and note where raised beds, trellises, or paths could improve flow and function.
Permaculture design begins long before planting day.
Pro Tip: Keep a garden journal. Record what you plant, where you plant it, and how it grows. These notes will guide you in creating an even more resilient and productive garden next year. Explore SeedTime’s Free Online Garden Planting Calendar for a visual guide tailored to your climate.
The rest doesn't matter when the bones are good…
So, the soil is resting and your plants are dormant. This is when smart gardeners focus on infrastructure and planning that reduce spring stress and support long-term resilience.
Design the layout. Finalize placement for beds, paths, trellises, and gathering spaces while the landscape is easy to read and changes are still low-cost.
Pre-build infrastructure. Raised beds, pergolas, trellises, and compost systems can be built now and installed when soil conditions are right, without rushing or damaging soil.
Think in systems, not tasks. Well-planned structures improve drainage, create microclimates, protect soil, and make the entire garden easier to maintain over time.
Pro Tip: If you’re tempted to “get ahead” by working the soil, pause. Winter productivity shows up later—in fewer corrections, healthier plants, and a calmer spring. The best gardens are built by timing, not force.
Ready to Plan for Spring?
Attend a winter workshop, book a spring consultation, or secure your place on our landscape stewardship schedule!