I am haunted by an image: every time I put rubbish in the wrong bin or leave a light on, Greta Thunberg is standing there with a furrowed expression, saying: “If you let us down, we will not forgive you. We are watching you!”.

Righto Greta - I will do my best, I promise. Long Live the Revolution!

Actually, there is quite a lot we can do (other than cycling, rather than driving to the gym). Cutting up your Christmas tree and shredding it for mulch, buying plants that encourage bees and other insect life and putting out suitable bird feeders are all small but good steps. Why not plan to cut down on senseless mowing where the grass can happily grow longer and provide habitats of a range of wildlife? It all adds up.

When it is not frosty, it is a good month for undertaking repairs to your lawn, as well as other simple tasks:

Brush and spread worm casts that appear on the lawn.
Cut new edges to the lawn where needed: the soil will be damp and therefore easier to slice.
Keep your lawn as free from old leaves and debris as possible: these can inhibit light and cause mould.
Mole activity is most obvious in January and February due to mating and nest making. Without wishing to spoil their fun, remove the earth mounds and sow grass seed in spring.
Spike areas of the lawn that are prone to water logging using a fork
Be careful not to tread on areas where bulb shoots are emerging.
Check tree ties and stakes. The cold winter winds can knock newly established plants all over the place. Give plants added protection if necessary.
Tidy up any unruly plants, especially climbers, that may have been dislodged in high winds.
Make the most of the lack of vegetation on most plants to get into shrubberies to remove brambles and self-seeded saplings.

It is good to know that the days are now getting longer, and the temperature will slowly be rising: rather mysteriously, plants are now beginning to grow.

2020? Bring it on! What is there to worry about with a friend like Greta?