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Tips for January gardenersBy Tara McKnight Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent, horticulture, Wichita County Happy New Year! With a new year, comes new opportunities to get outside and spend some time in the garden. Here are some items that can be done in the month of January. --Don't fertilize newly set out trees or shrubs until after they have started to grow, and then only very lightly, the first year. --When buying plants, the biggest is not always the best, especially with bare-rooted plants. The medium to small sized (4 to 6 feet) usually become established faster and will become effective in the landscape more quickly than the large sizes. --Complete the bare-root planting of woody landscape plants this month. Container and ball-and-burlapped plants are in good supply and can be set out most any time. Winter and early spring planting provides an opportunity for good establishment before hot weather comes. --Wait until after spring-flowering shrubs finish flowering before pruning. --Plant gladiolus corms; space planting dates at two-week intervals to extend flowering season. --Fertilize pansies once again for continued flowering. Don't forget to water when needed. --Now is an excellent time to transplant mature or established trees and shrubs while they are dormant. --Make flower and vegetable garden plans now before the rush of spring planting. Time spent in armchair gardening before the fireplace will pay off in improved plant selection and placement. --Sow seeds in flats or containers to get a jump on plant growth before hot weather arrives. Petunias, begonias, and impatiens should be sown in early January. Warm temperature plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, and periwinkles, should be sown in late January or early February. --Prepare beds and garden area for spring planting. --Check junipers and other narrow-leaf evergreens for bagworm pouches. The insect eggs over winter in the pouch, and start the cycle again by emerging in the spring to begin feeding on the foliage. Hand removal and burning of the pouches are ways of reducing the potential damage next spring. --The life of the plant received as a Christmas gift can be prolonged with proper care. Keep the soil moist, but provide drainage so that excess moisture can flow from the pot. Keep the plant out of range of heating ducts and away from heating units. Keep in a cool room at night, preferably at 60 to 65 degrees F. --Hold off on pruning bush roses until February. Use good shears that will make clean cuts. Remove dead, dying, and weak canes. Leave 4 to 8 healthy canes, and remove approximately one-half of the top growth and height of the plant. --Now is an excellent time to select and plant container-grown roses to fill in those bare spots in your rose garden. --Water foliage plants as well as other containerized plants only when needed and not by the calendar. --Climbing roses should be trained but not pruned. Weave long canes through openings in trellises or arbors and tie them with jute twine or plastic/wire plant ties. Securing canes now prevents damage from winter winds, and contributes toward a more refined look to the garden when roses are blooming. Wait until after the spring flowering period to prune climbing or once-blooming shrub roses. Your garden and landscape questions are always welcome. You may either contact me at our County Extension office, 940-716-8610, or by e-mail, tcmcknight@ag.tamu.edu. You are always encouraged to visit the Wichita County Master Gardner website at www.overthegardengate.org. Another great website to visit for very useful garden hints and answers is http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/. This article, along with every article, will also be featured on www.joetomwhite.com 24 hours a day under county agents. 1/12/09 Date: 1/2/09 Advertisement
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