January Lawn, Garden & Plant Tips
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Shrubs and trees
1. Wait until late winter to prune fruit trees.
2. Move dormant trees & bushes now on a day that is not too cold; protect roots and root ball by wrapping it.  Plant soon so that roots don’t get cold or dry out.
3.Remove broken limbs quickly, but leave frost-burned foliage until spring arrives since it serves as a buffer against more harsh weather.
4. Plants with berries brighten winter landscapes, like hollies & Nandina or for interest add Harry Lauder’s Walking stick, Contorted Filbert (Corylus avellana).
5. Spray fruit trees with dormant oil; spray copper to prevent peach leaf curl.
6. During bleak days look to see where an evergreen would fit into your landscape.
7. Shield plants from hungry critters; one way is to use fencing or wire cages.

Perennials, annuals and bulbs
1. Watch for heaving of small plants like pansies during a thaw and pop them back into place.
2. Top dress daffodils with 5-10-5 or 6-12-6 fertilizer.

Fruits and vegetables
1. Resolve to start a garden journal, keep track of the good, the bad and the bugs and Get Your Soil Tested!
2. If you had severe problems with grubs, squash vine borer and others till your garden in winter as it brings them closer to the surface and low temps can help kill them.
3. Order early for best selection from seed catalogs.
4. Add remaining leaves after shredding/cutting them around plants and vegetable beds to attract worms.
5. Keep composting and alternate layers of brown and green.
6. Grow your own onions from seed; order day neutral or short day and start at the end of the month.
7. Start Cole crops like broccoli, cabbage & Brussels sprouts now so they are ready to be planted outside in March.
8. Soak peas overnight before planting.

Lawn
1. Avoid walking over the same frozen lawn area or you may have bald spots in the spring.

Houseplants
1. Provide protection to houseplants on windowsills, put cardboard between leaves and windows during the coldest weather.
2. Sponge off smooth leaves or give them a shower to remove dust.
3. Don’t fertilize houseplants, but mist to combat dry heat.
4. Light is the most essential factor for healthy houseplants.

Odds and ends
1. Clean and sharpen garden tools so they will be ready for spring.
2. Paint tool handles with bright paint so none are lost in the garden.
3. Feed the birds; a good site provides food, shelter, water, cover and a place to raise young.
4. Clean out and repair birdhouses, build a new one this month.
5. Leave ornamental grasses tall for winter interest and as a cover for birds.