january garden checklist

​It may be cold and wintry, but there’s still plenty to be mindful of around the yard and garden.
 

• Mulch is important in protecting young plants from frost heaving. A 2-3” mulch will reduce heaving problems which occurs with alternate freezing and thawing. Otherwise, newly planted plants (2” potted plants) can be pushed completely out of the ground.
• January through February is a good time of year to move plants from one location in the landscape to another.  Water and mulch transplanted plants well.
• For trees, remove grass and maintain 3’ to 4’ diameter of grass free area around young trees. Eliminating competition from around the immediate area of the tree contributes to a dramatic increase in growth of the tree. Keep a 2-3” layer mulch in this grass-free area.
• Staking newly planted trees is recommended for large trees however, stakes should be removed after the first growing season. Stakes should be loose to allow the tree to sway in the wind. Trees allowed to sway develop a stronger root system and a sturdier trunk.
• When watering trees, keep in mind that water as needed, but let the soil dry down somewhat between irrigation. Waterlogged soils kill many tree species. Remember, plant roots need oxygen.
• Winter is pruning time for most landscape trees. You may need to remove lower limbs of young trees each winter as it matures. Ideally, you would want your lowest limb about six feet from the ground. Do any corrective pruning while trees are young, removing narrow crotch angles, double forks, etc.  Remember to not cut limbs all the way back to the trunk. The obvious branch collar should be left.  Pruning sealants are NOT recommended. You can expect a wound from a 1” limb to heal over by the second year after cutting. Larger wounds will take longer to seal.
• Vegetable gardens need to be cleaned up if you haven’t done so. Winter cleanup reduces insect and disease pressure for the coming growing season. This refuse probably needs to stay out of the compost pile. Most compost piles may not get hot enough to kill harmful pathogens. Use your own judgement. Asparagus stalks can be cut back and beds need a new layer of compost (2 to 3 inches).
• Till garden plots without a cover crop to expose overwintering insects to the winters cold. Do not till when soil moisture is high causing clods to form. Incorporate compost, animal manures, etc. at the same time to garden plots needing organic matter.
• This winter, remove bagworm bags from shrubs which were infested this past summer. Eggs were deposited within the bags by female worms, shortly before they died. Physically removing and destroying the bags will reduce or eliminate problems this summer.
• This is a good time of year to cut poison ivy vines from trees at the ground level and paint the cut end with full strength Brush-B-Gon or glyphosate. Handle vines with plastic gloves and wash up thoroughly to avoid the itchy aftermath.
• Avoid the temptation to fertilize houseplants during the winter months unless they are under grow lights or very high light conditions.
• An herbicide containing glyphosate can be used on dormant bermudagrass lawns in January or February when temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for winter weed control.  Make sure your bermuda lawn is completely dormant or grass injury may occur. Waiting until late Feb.-early March will provide broader control as more winter weeds will have germinated, but you risk injuring bermudagrass if it has been a warm Feb.
• When the temperatures are below freezing, avoid much contact with plant material outside. Frozen plants are brittle, and limbs can be broken easily. If ice or snow are on your plants, use caution around them. Heavy loads of snow can be lightly brushed off but stay away from ice-laden plants.
• Mulch strawberry beds now with straw. Keep the straw off the crowns. The straw will keep fruit from touching the soil and rotting.

 
For more information, contact the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension office at 870-425-2335.