JANUARY CLIPPINGS

PRUNE GOOSEBERRY BUSHES

by removing some older stems near the base to encourage new growth. Shorten leading shoots by half and their side stems to two buds.

SOW SWEET PEAS, SWISS CHARD, SPINACH, ONIONS, BROAD BEANS, HARDY PEAS AND PARSLEY

in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame, but cover with clear lids at night to keep mice off.

LIFT A FEW ROOTS

(actually rhizomes or underground stems) of mint. Pot up, place on a cool, bright windowsill indoors and they’ll sprout early for fresh mint tea.

EMPTY METAL WATERING CANS

otherwise frozen water pushes their bases out and they won’t stand flat.

BUY A FEW POTS OF SNOWDROPS

to plant around the edges of your Lenten hellebores and in grass by the trunks of trees.