The coldest temperatures of the year in the Charlottesville/Albemarle County area of Virginia have generally occurred in January. Historically, this is also the driest month of the year. Pay attention this month to weather-related issues in the ornamental garden such as frost heaving or broken tree limbs. As you stroll through your property this month, take stock of the landscape without the distraction of foliage. Use this time to evaluate what changes, if any, you want to make. If you have landscaping projects in mind for this year, now is a good time to start planning for them.
Inspect recently-planted perennials and other landscape plants for signs of frost heaving, which is caused by alternate freezing and thawing cycles. Reposition any plants that have been pushed up out of the ground and make sure the roots are well covered with soil. Gently firm the soil around the roots and apply a layer of mulch to help protect them from freezing weather and drying winds.
Monitor trees, shrubs, and perennials that were planted this past fall to make sure they don’t dry out from lack of moisture. In the absence of adequate rain or snow, provide newly-planted trees with about one gallon of water per inch of trunk caliper (trunk diameter at 12” above the ground) per week during the dormant months (November through March). Spread the weekly watering over a 2- to 3-day period, if possible. Water when the temperature is above 40°F and there is no snow or ice on the ground near the trees. Water early in the day so that the plants have time to absorb it before temperatures drop at night. As a rough guideline, use a hose to water newly planted shrubs approximately 10 seconds per gallon plant size. In other words, if the plant came in a 3-gallon container, water the root ball for about 30 seconds.
Gently brush accumulated heavy snow off evergreen shrub and tree branches to minimize breakage. Shaking the branches is not recommended. If using a broom to push the snow off, use an upward rather than a downward motion. For plants coated in ice, allow the ice to melt on its own. Otherwise, attempts to force ice off the branches may damage the plant.
Prune tree and shrub branches that have been obviously broken down by snow or ice. For more information on this and other winter-related hazards, see Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication 426-500, Managing Winter Injury to Trees and Shrubs.
Inspect tree trunks and shrubs periodically for animal damage. Winter damage to woody plants from deer browsing and antler rubbing is common throughout the area. Small animals such as rabbits, mice, and voles can be just as destructive. Through their chewing actions, they can cause a great deal of damage to the bark and trunks of trees and shrubs, particularly if other food sources are scarce in winter. For details on preemptive actions that can be taken to protect woody plants from these animals, see this Iowa State University Extension publication: How to Protect Trees and Shrubs from Animal Damage Over Winter.
Inspect stored tender bulbs and tubers such as dahlias, elephant ears, and canna lilies to make sure they are firm and free of mold. If the bulbs are shriveled, lightly moisten them. Make sure the temperature in the storage area is above freezing.
Clean dust from houseplant leaves periodically. A layer of dust can block sunlight from foliage, which reduces the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. It can also weaken a plant, making it more susceptible to diseases and insect infestations. For detailed advice on how to remove dust from houseplants, see the Ohio State University Extension publication Why You Should Clean the Leaves of Houseplants.
Monitor houseplants for insect pests. Dry indoor air can create the perfect environment for pests such as mealy bugs, spider mites, scale, white fly, and aphids. For help with insect identification and recommended treatments, check out the Clemson Cooperative Extension’s Fact Sheet on Common Houseplant Insects and Related Pests.
Use de-icing products carefully on walkways, steps, or other icy surfaces to avoid damaging nearby plants. Avoid using ice-melting products containing nitrogen and phosphorus. Instead, try alternative de-icing methods that are safer for plants, such as sand, sawdust, or non-toxic de-icers.
Avoid excessive foot traffic on lawns over the winter months to prevent damaging the sod and compacting the soil. Also, avoid parking vehicles on the lawn. The weight of the vehicle can kill or damage the grass beneath the tires.
Clean and inspect all garden tools to make sure they are in good working order. Sharpen any that need it. This Oregon State Extension publication on Care and Maintenance of Garden Tools is one of many available on-line resources that describe good garden tool care. For detailed guidance applicable to a variety of garden tools, check out Maintaining Lawn and Garden Tools and Maintaining Your Garden Tools. Don’t forget to inspect and maintain wheelbarrows, lawn mowers, and any other gardening equipment you own.
Clean and sterilize flowerpots that are being stored for future use. First, use a stiff wire brush to remove all dirt and debris. Then, soak the pots for at least 10 minutes in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. It’s important to rinse the pots thoroughly after soaking to remove any residual bleach before reuse. Bleach is designed to kill biological life. Plants can be damaged by bleach, even weak bleach solutions.
Clean and sterilize soiled seed flats or seedling trays using one part bleach to nine parts water in anticipation of reusing them to start new seedlings; be sure to rinse thoroughly.
Use this dormant season to develop a list of tasks for the coming season’s garden. Focus on plants to be divided, transplanted, added, or eliminated once the weather breaks this spring.
Don’t forget the birds! Provide extra food and water from November to April to help the birds when natural food sources, such as seeds and berries, are less plentiful. Consider incorporating more shrubs and trees in the landscape that provide berries in winter. And don’t forget the Great Backyard Bird Count, which is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds over a four-day period and reporting their sightings online. For details see birdcount.org.
It may be January and plants with blossoms are certainly scarce at this time of year, but the ornamental garden can still be interesting! So, pull on your boots, warm jacket, and mittens, and go look for plants with colorful berries, trees and shrubs with interesting bark or branching, lichens, mosses, dried grasses, dried seed pods, conifers, hardy ferns, and other evergreen plants. If you really do yearn to see something in bloom, check this link to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for a listing of “January Blooms.”
Featured Photo: Pat Chadwick
