January
GARDENING TO-DO LIST
Planting Guide
- Plant vegetables from transplants like broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, collards, and lettuce.
- Plant seeds for lettuce, radish, and carrots. Begin seeding spring tomatoes inside.
- Plant rose bushes in prepared soil where they receive 6-8 full hours of sun every day. Prune rose bushes in February.
- Plant fruiting plants such as blueberries and blackberries; it is a good time to get them established.
- Focus on cool-season color such as pansies and violas, snapdragons, and dianthus. Get green Foxgloves, hollyhocks, larkspur, poppies, and delphiniums in your beds now for a gorgeous Spring show.
- Plant spring flowering trees and shrubs such as redbuds, fringe trees, Mexican plums, azaleas, and spirea. Now is a great time to plant.
Water
Maintain watering on newly planted seeds and transplants. Containers also need more frequent water than plants in the ground. Watch for drought stress between rain showers and
Pests
Loopers and Aphids are on the prowl. Keep a close eye on plants and catch them early. Treat with the least toxic method possible. Find and squish loopers or treat with organic BT. Spray away aphids with a strong stream of water or treat with insecticidal soap.
Weeds
Best way to control early spring weeds: dig them by hand. Easiest way: MOW THEM. They will die out when it gets warm. We do not recommend “weed & feed” products. Keep fallen leaves raked up so lawn grasses can receive adequate sunlight. Reuse leaves in beds as mulch or add them to compost bins.
Pruning
Crepe Myrtles need no pruning. If you must, you may shape gently now, but don’t commit Crepe Murder. Wait to prune spring-flowering trees such as deciduous magnolias, Mexican plums, and redbuds until after they bloom.
Birds
Keep bird baths scrubbed and filled with clean water. Keep seed in feeders fresh. After rain check for moist or damp seeds, and replace them promptly to keep birds healthy and happy. Continue to put out suet cakes for high-energy winter snacks.
Freezes
Keep an eye on the weather and stay informed on nighttime lows. Have frost cloth on hand for light frosts. If the temperature drops below 32, double-wrap tender plants to ensure proper insulation. Avoid using plastic against foliage, but it can be used as the second exterior layer when covering plants. Remove plastic during the day. TIP: Heavy-duty clothespins or spare bricks can be used to secure and weigh down cloths.
