The following "reminder list" is based on a Zone 6a growing region, which is centrally located for the North American growing areas. For areas north of Zone 6a add roughly one week per zone for any times given. For areas south, subtract roughly one week per zone. Don't know your hardiness zone? Find it quick on our "Plant Hardiness Zone Map".
 

With the holidays behind us for another year, the decorations have been put away for another year and  January comes around with its cold, snow and ice. The days are short and nights long. For many gardeners, everything about January is about as far from gardening as you can get. However, for those intrepid enough to venture outside this month, the garden and landscape offer enough opportunities to keep us somewhat active, our interests peaked and our dreams of the coming growing season alive. As we take advantage of mild January days to venture into our outdoor world, we may be blessed enough to see many birds and other wildlife that brave the weather of January to call our little piece of the world "home".

January is also the month of new seed and nursery catalogs arrival, stimulating dreams of warm sunny days, new activities and new things to try. How many great things to try are you going to see now but not remember where you saw them later? Will your garden be haphazardly thrown together again this year, or will it be planned and and organized? What of those things that didn't work so well last year? Will they be mistakes made again, or will your garden notes remind you what not to do? The birds have it much rougher this month than you do. Are you keeping them in mind as well? Will they find your yard an inviting and welcome oasis for food, water and shelter, or just more barren landscape?

Around The Garden

• If possible, turn the compost pile and wet down if needed. Compost will continue to cook if properly prepared but at a much slower rate. Turning will introduce oxygen and result in additional heating. Wrapping the pile with black plastic will help hold in heat.

• Make your garden plans now and write down on paper so you will know where everything goes later.

• Dig and turn garden beds if not frozen. Digging exposes the soil to the freezing and thawing action of the weather, breaks down soil particles destroys the eggs of many insect pests and weed seeds.
• Take soil samples and get tested early. Lime if necessary in January so the lime has a chance to break down before planting begins.
• Check the mulch over spring-flowering bulbs and around perennials. Renew, replace any missing mulch or add to where needed.

Around The Landscape

• Continue feeding the birds and keep those waterer's filled with clean water. This is a critical time for the birds. Make sure bird bath heaters are working.
• Fruits and berries remaining on trees and shrubs will attract birds all winter. To encourage a wide variety of birds add a brick of suet or birdseed, this is especially beneficial for attracting woodpeckers.
• Many trees and shrubs can be pruned now when the weather warms.
• Check mulch over fall bulbs and around new plantings. Repair any that has become dislodged and add to any that have become compacted or degraded.
• Water plantings when the weather is dry and moderates. Plants still need adequate moisture, even in winter.
• Repair trellises and garden structures when the weather warms before spring.
• Remove dead, malformed and crossing limbs from your shrubs and fruit trees now. Do not prune live wood otherwise from spring-blooming shrubs unless necessary. These bloom on the wood you will be removing.
• If the ground is not frozen, shrubs and perennials can be transplanted.

• When weather is warm do yard clean-up chores now so that you are not trying to do it when the garden chores start later.

• If it snows, gently shake snow off your evergreens to prevent damage.

On The Patio

• If patio furniture has been left outdoors, make sure it is covered to protect it from the elements and any covers already in place are secure and not damaged from winter storms.

• Enjoy a chilly winter day on your patio around an outdoor fireplace with a steaming cup of hot chocolate or spiced cider.

In The Shed

• Clean, oil and repair those garden tools and make sure they are ready for spring garden chores. Use heavy-duty scrub brushes to clean tools and paint handles for next year. Note tools you need for future shopping trips.
• Make sure outdoor garden equipment is serviced and ready to use before spring arrives and you need it.
• Start stocking up on garden supplies like twine, fertilizer, plant markers, insecticides, etc. now before the spring rush and everyone else is rushing for the same things.
• Inspect and repair watering equipment as needed. Don't wait until it's needed. Make sure they have been thoroughly drained. A little bit of RV antifreeze (used in RV potable water systems) poured through each watering device will keep any remaining moisture from freezing.

• Make a pegboard tool organizer. Using a large pegboard secured to the garage wall, hang tools from hooks and label the pegboard or outline tools. Then when tools are removed, it is easy to see which ones are missing and they are easily returned to the right spot.

In The House

• Get the last of those holiday ornaments put away for yet another year so you can turn your attention to matters of the coming growing season.
• Often, information is timeless. But those old catalogs and magazines you've saved take up space. Update your catalogs and clip out articles you were saving now and then recycle the rest.
• Garden files cramped? Check files for outdated or repeated information. Use different colored folders for various topics. Shred old paper and use as packing material, save as mulch or add to your compost.
• Garden catalogs arrive this month! Organize your catalogs as they arrive. Use an accordion file, small file box, extra tote bag or large basket. One neat way to organize catalogs is to insert them on metal clothes hangers and hang them from a closet bar. Portable closet racks allow hanging catalogs above with space below for file boxes.
• Review your plans for special garden projects for this year. Purchase materials needed now so you will be ready when the weather warms.
• Organize 2006 digital camera pictures. January is a perfect time to compile photo files from summer. It will give inspiration and reflection as you prepare for the 2007 garden season.
• Review notes taken from previous years to plan for this years garden.
• Order seeds of flowers and vegetables for spring planting. Don't forget those supplies and tools you know you want and need this year. Buy enough quality seed for two or three plantings to lengthen the season of production.
• Bring in pots of forced bulbs for blooming indoors.
• Cut branches of Forsythia and Quince for forcing indoors to brighten a cold winter day. Cut on a 45 degree angle and plunge immediately into lukewarm water. Place in a bright location inside and you'll be enjoying cheerful blooms in just a few weeks. Let them remain in water after they bloom. many will root for transplanting later.
• Check houseplants for insects, and clean leaves with a quick shower.
• On very cold nights, it is a good idea to close the curtains or blinds between the window and your house plants.
• Cut back on fertilizing your house plants during winter. Use a water soluble house plant fertilizer at quarter (1/4) strength.
• Make certain that your plants have sufficient humidity, by setting them on a tray filled with clean pebbles, and a little water.
• Keep a close eye open for insects on your house plants as infestations can quickly occur and get out of hand in winter.
• Discourage fungus gnats with an inch of sand on the soil surface. This discourages the larvae emerging and adult breeding.
• Discard any holiday plants in poor health or with pest problems.
• Fireplace ashes should be saved to use as fertilizer for your Iris and other alkaline soil plants or mixed in small quantities into your compost. Unused ashes can be saved in a metal, closed top barrel to correct pH problems in your garden this year or mixed with sand as an organic and safe ice melter on sidewalks.

For Yourself

• Visit a greenhouse, either at a local garden center, botanical garden or conservatory. The lush green plants, tropical flowers and warm humid air will give you a much-needed change in environment.
• Take a winter walk. If there is fresh snow, use an animal track guide to identify the local critters.
• Mount a camera on a tripod at a window that overlooks your bird feeders to take quick pictures of new or unusual feathered quests.

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The information presented in a gardeners calendar is derived from many sources including practical experience of the writer. While we strive to present only fact5ual information, no guarantee is given, whether expressed or implied as to its completeness or accuracy. PO'Folks Ozark Mountain Enterprises accepts no responsibility for any damages resulting from the use of this material. As with all things, PO'Folks Ozark Mountain Enterprises urges all readers to exercise sound reasoning before applying any information they may obtain from any source.