New Year – New Garden Beginnings – Bare-Root Hedge

January – New Year, New Garden Beginnings
January always feels like a fresh slate—a time to set resolutions, make plans, and dream about the year ahead. Whether you’re booking a summer holiday or thinking about personal projects, this is the time for inspiration. With the snow blanketing Limerick in a crisp white layer and temperatures predicted to drop as low as -10°C, I’ve been spending extra time indoors planning for the months ahead. The snow may look magical, but I have to admit, it’s not my favourite.
Still, if there’s one silver lining to these frosty days, it’s the opportunity to slow down, reflect, and focus on the year to come. While the kids are busy playing in the snow, I’ve been busy thinking about the garden. The cold weather is a good reminder to check on any bulbs stored in sheds or garages, making sure they’re protected from the deep freeze. It’s also a great time to start dreaming about what your garden could become this year.
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Dreaming of a Vibrant Garden
January is the perfect time to step back and envision what your garden could look like in spring and summer. Whether you’re planning to rejuvenate a tired flower bed, grow your own vegetables, or add structure with hedging, the possibilities are endless. With the garden resting under a blanket of snow, it’s easier to see the big picture and start mapping out ideas for the year ahead.
For those looking to get a head start, bare-root planting is an excellent option this month. Bare-root plants, especially hedging varieties like beech, hawthorn, and laurel, are a cost-effective way to add structure and interest to your garden. This planting method works beautifully during the dormant season, as it allows the roots to settle in before spring growth begins. If you’ve been thinking about creating a privacy screen, defining borders, or adding a wildlife-friendly hedge, now is the time to act.
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Bare-Root Hedging: A Winter Win
Bare-root hedging is a gardener’s secret weapon for this time of year. These plants are sold without soil around their roots, making them more affordable and easier to transport. They’re also remarkably easy to plant during the cooler months when the ground isn’t frozen solid. If you’ve got 5 cm of snow like we do in Limerick right now, you’ll want to wait until the thaw before digging, but January is still prime time for bare-root planting.
At Rockbarton Garden Centre, we’ve got a fantastic selection of bare-root hedging available, including:
• Beech – A classic choice with seasonal beauty, turning coppery in autumn.
• Hawthorn – Perfect for a wildlife-friendly garden, with flowers in spring and berries in autumn.
• Laurel – A fast-growing, evergreen option for year-round privacy.
The benefits of bare-root planting go beyond affordability. These plants establish quickly, adapting to your soil and growing strong roots before the warmer weather arrives. With a little planning now, you’ll have a robust hedge to enjoy for years to come.
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Winter Tasks for Garden Success
While snow and freezing temperatures may limit what you can do outdoors, there are still essential tasks to prepare your garden for spring:
1. Protect Stored Bulbs: If you’ve got bulbs stored in sheds or garages, make sure they’re insulated from the cold. Wrap them in old blankets or move them to a frost-free area.
2. Plan Your Garden Layout: Take advantage of your indoor time to sketch out ideas for the year ahead. Think about where you’ll plant flowers, vegetables, or hedging.
3. Order Bare-Root Plants: Stock up now while the selection is best, and be ready to plant as soon as conditions allow.
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Let’s Beat the Frost and Get Started
While January may feel like a time to hunker down, it’s also the month of possibilities. Whether you’re dreaming about vibrant flower beds, a productive vegetable patch, or a beautiful hedge to frame your garden, the steps you take now will pay off when spring arrives.
At Rockbarton Garden Centre, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Drop by to explore our selection of bare-root hedging, get advice on winter gardening, or simply share your plans for the year ahead. Let’s make 2025 the year you fall in love with your garden all over again—snow and all!

Rockbarton is taking a well-deserved break and will reopen on Wednesday January 22nd, refreshed and ready for the year ahead. In the meantime, if you’d like to place a hedging order, feel free to reach out, and we’ll happily arrange a convenient collection time for you.

Contact Lynda on 061 389833 or Lynda@rockbarton.ie

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