Snow accumulation on branches of a winter shrub

DOUG’S BLOG – January Gardening Tips and Thoughts

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JANUARY IS A GOOD MONTH TO SPEND TIME REFLECTING AND PLANNING YOUR GARDENING STRATEGY FOR THE UPCOMING SPRING SEASON

First, HAPPY NEW YEAR to all you gardeners.

We made it to 2021. Somehow, all the gardening disappointments of last year with the excessive rainfall seem to be vanishing as we look forward to another great gardening year.

I am writing this blog on December 31. Spring, 2021 starts on Saturday, March 20th, and that is 79 days away. Winter will be behind us before we know it.

Did you know that January is NATIONAL GARDEN CATALOGUE MONTH – for a good reason. The colder winter days of January are an excellent time to sit down and put onto paper some of your plans for your gardens. Now is a good time to spend some quality time researching and planning your vegetable or flower gardens this spring.

HERE ARE SOME JANUARY GARDENING THOUGHTS AND TIPS

  1. The spring 2021 flower and vegetable seeds are here – along with seed starting supplies. January is a good month to shop for your wanted seeds and supplies. Remember, when planning your vegetable garden, to rotate the vegetables in your garden to reduce insect and disease problems.
  2. Take advantage of sunny, mild days, and walk around your gardens. Enjoy the beauty of the shrubs and trees in their “naked” state. And, at the same time, it is a great exercise for both the body and the mind.
  3. Jump onto the HOUSEPLANT BANDWAGON! Add some green to your indoor space. Many houseplants are considered “clean air machines” as they help to purify the air that we breathe.
  4. Don’t forget that bird feeding/watching is the # 2 outdoor hobby – behind gardening. Our feathered friends need our assistance in providing food. So try hanging a bird feeder for our feathered friends.
  5. Now is a good time to clean all your gardening tools before you begin to use them in the spring. When clean and dry, use a broad file to sharpen shovels, hoes, pruners, and other equipment.
  6. If you were given some flower bulbs, such as daffodils or tulips, for Christmas, then you need to get them into the ground as soon as possible. The bulbs need the cold winter. They will bloom for you in the coming months.
  7. If you are tired of mowing and maintaining a large lawn, January is a good month to plan on how you want to reduce the yard space by expanding your landscape garden areas.

HAPPY GARDENING!!!!

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2 thoughts on “DOUG’S BLOG – January Gardening Tips and Thoughts”

  1. When is a good time to fertilize azaleas and what would you suggest as a fertilizer. Also, I notice a lot of yellow leaves on their lower branches and on the ground around the bushes. Is this expected for this time of year?

    • Carol,
      Good questions.
      The best time to fertilize azaleas is right after they have finished blooming. Blooming took so much energy from the plant that you want to give that energy back with feeding. One thing I learned from the azalea society is that they like to give their azaleas a feeding in late february using an organic food. ESPOMA HOLLY TONE OR ESPOMA AZALEA TONE is excellent to use with both feeding times. Yellow leaves this time of year isn’t too concerning to me with our short and weak sunlight during these winter months. Doug

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