January Garden Checklist: Tasks & DIY Projects

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January garden tasks for cold-climate gardeners include winter maintenance, early indoor seed starting, creative crafts and DIY projects, and planning for the upcoming growing season.

This checklist is designed for gardeners in Canada and the United States (hardiness zones 4 to 8) who live in regions with four distinct seasons. Also see the Year-At-a-Glance Garden Checklist (What To Get Done Each Season) for an annual overview.

January Garden Checklist

Here in southwestern Ontario, Canada, January is often wintery. The last gasps of autumn have blown away with the leaves, the trees and earth are bare, and temperatures hover around freezing.

That said, it’s not unusual to have some extreme cold as well as balmy warm spells. You never know!

One week an ice storm might cause serious damage to trees and shrubs.

The next week a warm spell could cause various spring bulbs to make a surprise appearance, with crocuses and snowdrops adding color to the otherwise monochromatic scenery.

A few winters ago, I saw bees out and about in the middle of January. It was a brief warm spell, but enough to awaken them from their winter slumber spots.

Other years, on the same dates, we may have deep snow keeping the perennials tucked away until spring.

Not only does weather vary greatly but every garden is unique.

I hope the suggestions below provide helpful ideas for your to-do list.

I’ve organized them into categories: Grow, Make, and Ideas.

Monthly Garden Checklists

January | February | March | April | May

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Grow

Planting, Sowing, & Preparations

Outdoors

Check on potted plants in winter storage including bulbs and trees. Keep lightly watered and mouse-proof.
Maintain winter vegetable garden. Water and air as needed.
Decide which trees and shrubs need late winter pruning. Put reminders in your phone calendar.
Keep compost year round using the easy winter composting method.
Unless frozen, turn your compost pile when you can.
Sow seeds outdoor in containers using these winter sowing methods.

Pond

Make sure your pond does not freeze over. I keep a pump running, use a deicer (you can see one here) and a hole open in the ice.

Wildlife

Provide homemade suet at bird feeders along with fresh, running water. A heated bird bath is one option.
Make sure nesting boxes are ready for bird mating season.
Wash your bird feeders and suet cages on a regular basis.

Indoors

This lists slow-growing vegetable seeds you should start (really) early indoors.
You can grow salad greens and peas indoors any time.
Brighten up your home by forcing flowering bulbs.
Continue growing poinsettias as houseplants.
You can also make Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti rebloom.

Make

Creative Winter Projects

Whether or not you’re a fan of cold weather, snow is beautiful! Glistening. Bright sunshine. Quiet. Birds. Snowflakes. I love it all.

Here are some project ideas.

Learn to hand feed birds | Winter is a good time for this (assuming it’s safe and legal where you are).
Make mini bonsai | It’s indoor gardening with an artistic touch.
Make miniature garden accessories. Easy, fun, and frugal to do!
Make yourself a set of beeswax food wraps. They are a good alternative to single-use plastic cling wrap.
Build nesting boxes.

Ice suncatchers made from water and fruit.

Ideas

Dream & Scheme

Start planning the garden year ahead. There are planning tips & tools here.
It’s a good time to get your seed inventory in order. First, organize them into categories and then get containers you like.
Browse your favorite seed catalogs & make a wishlist.
Pre-order bare-roots plants including asparagus and cane fruits (they are shipped at planting time).
Order seeds for indoor sowing. Buy seed starting mix and organic container mix so you’re ready to sow.

Mail Order Seeds

US SeedsNow | Botanical Interests

Canada West Coast Seeds