January Horticulture Hints

January is not usually as colorful as other months, but if the garden is tidy, its bones show to greatest advantage. Rake up leaves or pine straw and use them for mulch in empty beds. Cut back dead perennials if you cannot bear the look of them; otherwise leave the dead stems and leaves as protection for the crown during the winter.  Leave any that have dried seed heads to provide food for birds and other wildlife. Consider putting out some bird feeders. They will entice brilliant splashes of color on the wing. Don’t forget that birds need a source of water.     

Landscape plants and lawns benefit from a deep watering about 24 hours before a freeze is expected. Moisture in the soil stores more heat during the day. Consequently, the soil stays warmer for a longer time during the night. Winter injury often occurs if plants are allowed to dry out. A good mulch of bark or pine straw and a good soaking every two or three weeks will lessen the chances of winter injury to your plants.

When planting seeds of winter annuals, be sure to plant them in beds to which organic materials have been added—especially if you garden in sandy soil or clay. Start fertilizing with water-soluble fertilizer when the tiny plants have two sets of leaves, and start thinning to the space recommended on the seed packet. When the plants reach three or four inches tall, fertilize with more long-lasting fertilizer. If you use slow release fertilizer, you may not have to reapply for several months. Otherwise, light but frequent applications are recommended.

Don’t forget to water the lawn if inadequate amounts of rain fall. In the absence of rain, apply one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10 to 14 days. Turf specialists at the University of Florida report that more grass roots die during the winter from desiccation than from cold damage.

Take a soil sample for testing. Adjust soil as indicated by the test, and add organic amendments to the garden soil. Apply dormant oil to magnolia, camellia, holly, and dormant fruit trees to control scale insects if needed. Later this month or early in February, fruit trees may benefit from pruning and fertilizing.

Camellias are in glorious bloom. Sweet olives may bloom and perfume the yard if there are enough moderate days. It’s bulb-planting time. Add agapanthus, amaryllis, crinum, freesia, hyacinth, gloriosa, narcissus, daffodils, and prechilled tulips and hyacinths.

Plant bare root roses, fruit trees, dormant shrubs, trees, and vines if the soil is not frozen and if it is not too wet. Plant seeds of achillea, alyssum, begonia, bachelor’s button, calendula, California, Iceland, and Shirley poppies, dianthus, geranium, gaillardia, gypsophila, larkspur, lobelia, lunaria, petunia, phlox, statice, stock, sweet alyssum, sweet pea, verbena, and viola.

Celebrate Florida Arbor Day the third Friday in January. Plant a tree, for this is ideal tree-planting time in Florida. Also, if you have decided that certain shrubs or small trees in your landscape need moving, now is the time to tackle the task while they are dormant. Crape myrtles and other trees and shrubs that do not bloom in spring can be pruned at this time of year.

 Winter Planting

Plant bare root roses, fruit trees, dormant shrubs, trees, and vines. Plant seeds of achillea, alyssum, begonia, bachelor’s button, calendula, and California, Iceland and Shirley poppies, dianthus, geranium, gaillardia, gypsophila, larkspur, lobelia, lunaria, petunia, phlox, statice, stock, sweet alyssum, sweet pea, verbena, and viola. Bulbs to plant include agapanthus, amaryllis, Dutch and African iris, calla, crinum, lilies (African, Aztec, calla, crinum,) and prechilled tulips, freesia, and hyacinths.

Many pleasant days come in the middle of a Florida winter. Something can be found to do in the garden at any time. Dedicated gardeners don their winter jackets and caps and proceed with business as usual. Nothing short of a blizzard can keep us out of the garden.