Winter Gardening

This can be a tricky time to garden.  One day it will be warm and sunny and the next can be cold and blustery.  Now is a good time to make sure that you garden is in good shape for the spring growing and planting season.  Here are a few tips for keeping your garden in top condition.

Check for cold nighttime temperatures – It is not unusual to have freezing temperatures at night in January.  If you think that things might get a little frosty at your house, it is always best to be safe and provide your frost sensitive plants with a cover.  Use fabric covers or sheeting that is made especially for frost protection.  Do not use plastic covers.  Cactus can also be frost sensitive.  A Styrofoam cup on the tips of your cactus is an excellent way to prevent frost damage.  Always remove any frost protection during the day.  Contrary to popular beliefs, a well-watered plant is less likely to have damage from freezing temperatures.  This time of year it is best to water infrequently but deeply when you do.

Check plants for Aphids – Attacks from these little green monsters are usually temporary this time of year.  Spray affected plants with soapy water.  A mix of 1 teaspoon dish soap (lemon scented works best) with 1 quart of water will take care of them.

Prune trees and bushes – Now is an excellent time, before spring budding, to shape-up citrus, landscape trees and bushes.  Check for crossing limbs, and dead or damaged limbs.  When sawing off limbs, always remember to start with a cut on the underside of the branch to avoid tearing or peeling the bark down when the limb comes off.

Lawn care – Winter lawns need monthly fertilizing this time of year.  Amendments that are high in nitrogen are best.  If you don’t have a winter lawn, remember that dormant Bermuda lawns still need occasional water if we don’t get good winter rains.

Apply iron – Now is the time for an application of chelated iron for plants such as bottle brush, pyracantha, silk oaks and other trees and bushes that have leaves that are prone to yellowing.

Plant seeds – Even with our short days and chilly nights, there are still a few seeds that you can slip into the ground in January.  Vegetables:  Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Lettuces and other greens, Peas, Radishes, Turnips.  Flowers:  Black-eyed Susans, English Daisy, Dianthus, Gaillardia, Geranium, Larkspur, Nasturtiums, Nierembergia, Pansies, Petunia, Poppy, Primrose, Snapdragon, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet Peas and Verbena.