VEGETABLE GARDEN JOBS FOR JANUARY

1 FORCE RHUBARB You can force established rhubarb plants once temperatures drop below 5C (-15F). Cover with a dry straw mulch and top with a large upturned bucket or rhubarb forcing jar to encourage pale tender shoots.

2 SOW MICROGREENS Sow teeny flavoursome leaves of coriander, mustard, beetroot, pea shoots and radish across damp compost. Cover with cardboard, put on a warm windowsill, mist regularly and remove lid once they germinate.

3 PRUNE APPLE TREES Fruit trees will grow back, so don’t be timid. Use clean, sharp secateurs (see p44). Cut out diseased or dead branches, and thin congested areas, aiming for an open centre. Tackle a few branches each year.