GARDEN TIPS

January Gardening Tips

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  • Winter prune roses including removal of all leaves still hanging on stems and those on the ground which can harbor disease and insect pests. Prune shrub and tree types in a wagon wheel approach with the center open and prune to outside facing buds. Typically the shorter the rose is pruned the fewer flowers will form but they will be larger.
  • Prune Dormant fruit and deciduous trees including removal of old fruit still on tree and any fruit and leaves on the ground which can harbor disease and insect pests. Begin by removing any dead or diseased wood, then any crisscrossing branches, nest open up the center for better airflow and finally to head back growth – always prune to a side branch/stem and outward facing bud. Learn where the fruit set occurs on each species.
  • Apply dormant spray to bare branched trees, shrubs and roses to control over –wintering diseases and pests.
    Clean up leaf litter throughout garden and landscape.
  • Prune Winter flowering plants such as Camellias after bloom. Pick off and pick up spent flowers before they turn brown (Flower Blight)
  • Do not cut back freeze damaged plants until Spring or all danger of frost has passed. The damaged portions will protect any undamaged growth from further damage.
  • Irrigation Controllers should be in the “OFF” Position.
  • Cover exposed water pipes when freeze warnings are posted
  • Fertilize lawns at end of January with a nitrogen fertilizer such as Ammonium sulfate or Ammonium nitrate.
  • Remove small weeds before they get established. Be careful working around emerging spring bulbs
  • Dead head (remove spent bloom and bloom spikes) perennials if not done yet.
  • Clean dead leaves and debris away from dormant perennials
  • Divide dormant perennials and transplant to other areas of the garden.
  • Pull out dead annuals and replace with English Primrose (Primula acaulis) or Cyclamen. These will perform better in the garden until March or April.
  • Cut back/clean perennials such as Nepeta, Erigeron, Asters and Stachys
  • Keep an eye out for aphids sheltering in ornamental grasses, winter vegetables, Daylilies, Hellebores. Spray with organic insecticide or a 10% dish soap solution.
  • Purchase and plant bare root plants. Be sure to soak bare-root plants for 2 hours before planting in a prepared hole. Do not allow roots to dry out before planting. Stake newly planted trees to prevent them from falling over.
  • Plant “living Christmas Trees” that were used inside and allow room for a tree that can grow to large proportions.