The parties are over; it’s time to call it a day to get started in the garden with a plan of action to keep ahead of the game. It’s time to try out the Christmas gifts and see the improvement that can be achieved with a little effort and modern tools! Walk the garden and make a ‘to-do list’ for both hard and soft landscaped areas; be realistic, in the case of plant material if it is old and weather beaten for whatever reason, and shows little growth or even life, remove it.Old plants if weak do not respond well to fertilising and pruning, pest and disease can also be a problem, so removal and planting a replacement will enhance the area. Check for dead or diseased growth and prune back to healthy wood, remove old root systems and those weeds that reappear every year after you thought you had gotten rid of them; remember when digging out weeds, remove all roots so reducing the problem of regrowth.Hedges are often neglected when it comes to maintenance, yes they are regularly hacked back unmercifully even if in flower, but little TLC is given to encourage strong healthy growth. Besides the normal needs of fertiliser and pest and disease control, consider the basal area of the hedge, is it cluttered with extraneous growth of ‘unwanted’ material that is depriving the hedge of nutrients and moisture and even acting as a host for pests. Clean along the base of the hedge to create a clean bed of soil so it is separated from the lawn thus allowing better usage of fertiliser and water uptake going to the hedge and not weeds. A clean line fronting a hedge also enhances its appearance.Mature material especially trees should have their ‘head’ or canopy checked professionally which means climbing into the upper reaches of the tree to check for problems which cannot be identified or seen from ground level. A mature tree is not easily replaced and leaves a void in the landscape if removed, which is a costly exercise especially if roots are also removed in order to replant the area, which means having to drive on the grass which can cause compaction in the future.Vines can be rampant if left to grow out of control which can cause a weakening of the trellis or arch etc to which it is attached, a quick check to the integrity of the structure will allow good active growth during the growing season.If there are bare areas of lawn, which inevitably will be invaded by weed growth if left bare, seed the area with rye grass — a winter grass — which will green up the area until spring, whilst reducing the introduction of unwanted weeds.Houseplants are often allowed ‘to look after themselves’ until they look ‘sick’ only then do they receive attention. Check for pest and disease problems, give them some fertiliser and check if they need to be potted into a larger container; not really too much to ask for being there all year!As January is a slow month for growth, one can concentrate on adding compost to the garden and turning it in to create a good soil environment for growth. Well composted manures either cow or horse are ideal for incorporating in the soil, but ensure they are well broken down. Wood chips should be well composted before use as a compostable material; bark chips take a long time to break down more so when ‘chips’ are large.Composting is a good way to save money on having your horticultural waste trucked away and then buying peat or other amendments to add to the soil. Look for ‘problem’ plants, i.e. plants that require more attention than others, be it for pest and disease problems or more commonly the plant under the window that needs constant cutting back so the blinds can close.Tools and equipment are an integral part of good maintenance practices, well maintained equipment and sharpened tools will last a lifetime. Blunt blades on mowers leave a poor finish and do not give a clean cut, the same for pruning tools, blunt blades do not produce clean cuts only cuts with ‘rough’ finishes which can lead to fungal problems. Chain saws should be stripped down and cleaned, removing all ‘junk’ lodged in crevices, sharpen chain and realign blade and chain. Blowers and strimmers — not my favourite pieces of equipment — should also be given a good check-up to produce efficiency.January is also a good time to check hard landscaped areas. Fences are often damaged by plant material being too close especially during high winds when branches can flail in all directions; planting with this in mind can reduce problems in the future. Paths of concrete can settle if not installed correctly or crack if too much weight is imposed, brick or pavers often become loose if not bedded correctly, a little time and effort at this time of year can save more major repairs down the road.Dry stack walls should be checked for loose stones and replaced as needed, also check for problem root systems that are a potential problem and cut back to avoid future problems.Garden sheds and greenhouses/tunnel houses tend to get overcrowded with whatever throughout the year. A good clean out will not only allow you to dump unwanted stuff but in the case of good hygiene create a healthier environment in the greenhouse/tunnel house.In large areas of concrete that have a pounding/drainage problem check out the area to determine a resolution and correct accordingly.Once you have completed all these tasks, take a break and relax finishing off the eggnog and mince pies, and look forward to a floriferous future!