Gardens will be healthier after winter if 3 common plants are pruned in January

Many plants need to be pruned in January to ensure they grow healthy for the rest of the year (Image: Getty)

Most gardeners will not be spending time outside due to the freezing temperatures, but if you take 20 minutes to prune certain plants now, it can help your garden thrive after winter. 

Garden plants are currently dormant so they are resting to survive the cold, and that means it is the perfect time to prune them. 

Taking the time to prune now means there will be less work that needs to be done once the warmer weather begins in springtime, so you can focus on growing new flowers rather than tidying up old plants. 

James Ewens, a gardening expert from Green Feathers has shared that it is important to prune plants in January but has warned to be careful what you are cutting in the garden. 

He said: “First, you want to make sure that you are pruning the right types of trees and brushes to avoid harming your garden."

Roses will flower more if pruned properly at this time of year (Image: Getty)

What to prune in the garden in January

Roses 

If you have roses, then it is best to prune them between January and February while they are still dormant. 

Pruning helps roses divert more energy to new buds rather than focus on decaying foliage that is already falling off the plant, so your flowers will be much healthier once they bloom. 

James said: “You can also prune climbing roses and bush roses. Prune back their summer growth to two to three buds on the main stem to control their size and encourage flowering in the Spring. 

“For bush roses, remove any dead or diseased wood, and shape the plant if you think it’s necessary.” 

When cutting roses, make sure to always wipe the shears clean after each cut and dispose of any fallen foliage to prevent fungal infections such as black spot disease from being able to spread. 

The best time to prune hedges is now in late winter, but be careful not to disturb any wildlife (Image: Getty)

Hedges 

January is the perfect time to give your hedges a trim to keep them neat, and it is best to prune them back at least twice a year to keep them healthy. 

However, before you begin cutting your hedges, you need to look inside them and search them thoroughly to ensure that no wildlife is using them as shelter. 

Birds are very likely to use hedges to make nests at this time of year, and there can also be hibernating animals such as hedgehogs or squirrels hiding in the bushes. 

It is incredibly important not to disturb any animals lurking in your hedges and not to try to move them, as this can result in a hefty fine. 

James said: “January can also be a great time to trim overgrown hedges. Deciduous hedges, such as beech and hawthorn, can be trimmed and shaped - but be very careful to not disturb any nesting birds or other wildlife.”

Certain fruit trees like apple and pear should be pruned now to help reduce the risk of disease (Image: Getty)

Fruit trees and bushes 

Apple and pear trees are best pruned in winter, between November and February, as it will lead to better quality fruit being grown. 

In winter, trees and gooseberry bushes can become overcrowded, which means there is not much room for new shoots to grow, so pruning leads to more sunlight reaching the new fruit. 

Pruning will also result in more air circulating around the trees and bushes, which reduces moisture build-up and stops fungal diseases from damaging your garden. 

James said: “You can prune apple and pear trees and currant and gooseberry bushes. Prune these to remove any dead, diseased or unproductive branches to create an open structure that encourages air circulation.”