January

VEGETABLES

Plan out your garden on paper to save time and money. Order seed, especially for cool weather vegetable transplants. To find seed companies, check the library or garden magazines.
Chart out dates for transplants/planting. Request “Can I Grow That Here” from the Extension Office, to help calculate dates. Plan for rotating crops to new areas of the garden.
During warm days, if the ground thaws, work on removing perennial weeds/leftover garden debris, make frames for raised beds, till the garden and incorporate leaves, compost, etc.
Try your luck at growing cool season crops (lettuce, spinach, onions, etc.) in cold frames.
Check on mulched carrots and renew mulch if weathered away.
Check stored vegetables. Sort and eliminate any that are turning soft.

If a warm spell comes and thaws out the branches of fruit trees, you can do some pruning.
Inspect the base of fruit trees for rodent gnawing. Place a wrap of hardware cloth around base to prevent damage.
Be sure tree wraps are in place to prevent sun scald, or put in place if needed. This is the time of year sun scald is likely to occur.

Check young and exposed trees for wind whipping and stake if needed.
Check for dryness of perennial plants and evergreen trees. Water when the soil is thawed.
Recycle your Christmas tree. Boughs can be cut off and placed around perennial plants for added winter protection or shredded and used in the compost pile. In a sheltered corner of the yard. Evergreens provide a welcome shelter for birds and other wildlife. Christmas trees can even be tied to existing fence posts for an instant tree effect for birds to enjoy.

If you didn’t get daffodils, tulips and other spring/summer blooming bulbs in during the fall, try to slip them in if the ground thaws.
Check stored flower bulbs such as cannas, dahlias and gladiolus for mold. If found, increase air circulation and spread bulbs out more.
Check mulched perennial plants like roses; to be sure mulches are still in place.

Overwintered geraniums will be tall and spindly. Cut back about half (if trying to save mother plants), or start cuttings if desired. Place in the brightest, sunny window you can.
Give houseplants a warm winter shower to clean foliage and keep bugs down.
Houseplants still need light fertilizing during winter months, about half as often as during summer months.
Increasing humidity level in the winter will benefit houseplants greatly. Use a humidifier, or simply set pans of water near plants.
If you’re interested in keeping your poinsettia for next Christmas, keep the plant next to (but not touching), a sunny, draft-free window, with daytime temperatures of about 60-70 degrees at night. Water thoroughly if the soil becomes dry, soaking the root ball completely. Remove excess water from pot trays. Do not fertilize.