There are many emotions in the January cutting garden. Excitement, bewilderment, overwhelm and hope – to name a few . After a December inside, teaching workshops and hosting Christmas festivities . I’m itching to get outside into the garden this January.
I’m setting my intention for the year to write a monthly post for the plans and jobs in the garden. I want to share the joy each month brings. As well as documenting the growing space as the seasons change. I’d love for you to join me. As always, I hope I can encourage and inspire you to get growing flowers too.
First up are the left over jobs from last year. There are 300 daffodil bulbs sitting in my hall needing a final destination. I’ll dot them around the garden, for this I’ll use a bulb digger. Add some to flower pots with plans to cut and weave into spring arrangements. The remainder will set up home at the allotment.


There are Autumn sown seedlings desperate to be potted up. It’s always a risky business taking them up a pot size. I sow extra to allow for a few lost seedlings. There is a strong crop growing for an early June. I did have a big wedding booked which unfortunately has been cancelled. If you are getting married in June 2025 – get in touch there’s a lovely crop of flowers coming!
I have changed how I use my ‘big beds’. Previously they were packed full of tulips. Without a shop to sell flowers through this year, tulips numbers have been reduced giving more space for the early summer crop of Argostemma, Cornflowers, Nigella, Orlaya and Poppies. These are all tough plants and will aim to get them into the beds late Feb (weather depending). If they don’t survive there is still plenty of time to re-sow as we get into spring.
There are also plenty of Ranunculus to be potted up too. The amount I’ve sown over the years has been reduced. Everyone loves them, however, finding the right spot in the garden is proving tricky. Mine always get attacked by a little worm. The plan is to plant some into a crate to leave in the greenhouse and add the rest outside. Where? That’s TBC!

Out in the rest of the garden there is plenty to organise. Roses need a proper support and mulch (a job never completed in 2024). A few Guelder roses need thinning out and removing. Plus some research into good shrubs to fill a few spots in my perennial beds.
I get so excited by all this work outside but have learnt to be patient. I garden on heavy clay so have to be careful to leave it when the ground is too saturated. On inside days, I’ll pot up some paperwhites to keep indoors and create a mood/vision board for the year. As a visual person this helps me find my direction and focus. From the board I start to create a planting plan for the year. Something to share in another post.
If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up to my newsletter. Another goal for the year is to continue writing regularly here and on my newsletter. Without moaning about Instagram, the effect of the constant algorithm changes has really had a negative effect on my business. I miss the community there once was. I am going to focus on moving my communication back to my website and newsletter. However, I love the speed and reaction I have over there. If you’d like to see ‘live’ updates of how I work – follow me @lottsandlots.


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