January Weather Statistics
Average
daily high: 49 degrees
Average daily low: 29 degrees
Average rainfall: 3.65 inches
• Except for the nodding heads of Lenten rose and the
lively yellow fringe of witch-hazel, January is a quiet
time in the garden, a time to rest, a time to make big
plans! So, stoke the fire, grab your catalogs and your 2008
Garden Journal and get busy!
•Sow seeds of cool-weather vegetables (broccoli, cabbage,
cauliflower, collards, lettuce, onions and spinach) in
containers for transplanting into the garden in March.
Outdoors, sow edible-pod peas and English peas beginning
this month. Continue to plant asparagus.
•Clean used terra cotta pots before replanting by soaking
them in a solution of vinegar and water. Use a brush to
remove fertilizer salts and other residues. Rinse
thoroughly with warm water.
•Check the condition of stored bulbs and tubers of dahlias,
tuberous begonias, caladiums and callas. Bulbs stored in
warm, humid conditions are prone to rot. Discard any bulbs
that feel soft or rotten.
•Mulch strawberry beds for winter protection. Use wheat
straw or pine needles. When the first blooms appear, pull
back the mulch.
•Use a magnifying glass to inspect both sides of leaves of
your houseplants. Look for signs of insects. Sticky residue
may indicate the presence of mealy bugs or scale insects.
Small, fine webs are a sign of possible spider mite
infestation. Call the Alamance County Cooperative Extension
for information on the treatment of insect problems on
houseplants.
•Do not fertilize houseplants and go easy on the watering
during the winter months. Houseplants need some time off,
too.
•When the weather turns frigid, remember that fresh water
is essential to all animals. Check to see that birdbaths
are ice free and filled up. Keep the water moving in water
features and fountains to provide free-flowing water for
wildlife.
•Toward the end of this month, apply dormant horticultural
oil to roses. Do this before bud-break to smother
over-wintering insects and their eggs. Read the label
carefully for instructions on use.
•Chances are, winter annual weeds are popping up now in
your January garden. Hand pulling or raking is the most
effective method of removal at this time. Resist the
temptation to spray with herbicides unless temperatures
turn mild for a few days (above 50 degrees). Sprays just
won’t work when it’s too cold. Remember to read and follow
all label directions.
•Review your garden journal from last year and lay out this
year’s garden design. Order plants and seeds, keeping an
eye toward crop rotation to help prevent disease.
•Houseplants don’t require much water or fertilizer this
time of year, but attention must be paid! Wipe dust from
plants with smooth leaves with a damp cloth. Use a cosmetic
brush to clean the hairy leaves of African violets and
gloxinia.
•Use a magnifying glass to inspect both sides of leaves of
your houseplants. Look for signs of insects. Sticky residue
may indicate the presence of mealy bugs or soft scale.
Small, fine webs may indicate spider mite infestation. Call
the Alamance County Cooperative Extension for information
on the treatment of insect problems on houseplants.
•Group clean, insect-free houseplants together to increase
humidity during these dry winter months. Mist the group
periodically to further enhance air moisture.
•If your houseplants are on a windowsill, keep the leaves
away from the glass, especially when the weather is very
cold. The glass will conduct the cold and may burn tender
leaves. Draw the drapes or shades at night for more
protection
•Check the condition of stored bulbs and tubers of dahlias,
tuberous begonias, caladiums and callas. Bulbs stored in
warm, humid conditions are prone to rot. Discard any bulbs
that feel soft or rotten.
•When the weather turns frigid, remember the wildlife.
Fresh, free-flowing water is essential to all animals, so
keep birdbaths ice-free and filled up. Prevent ice from
completely covering the surface of your water garden by
floating tennis or other soft rubber balls in the water.
•Sow seeds of cool-weather vegetables (broccoli, cabbage,
cauliflower, collards, lettuce, onions and spinach) in
containers for transplanting into the garden in March.
Outdoors, sow edible-pod peas and garden peas beginning
this month. Continue to plant asparagus.
•Toward the end of this month, apply dormant horticultural
oil to roses. Do this before bud-break to smother
over-wintering insects and their eggs. Read the label
carefully for instructions on use.
•Winter annual weeds may rear their ugly heads in your lawn
and garden this time of year. Hand pulling or raking is the
most effective method of removal right now. Resist the
temptation to spray with herbicides unless temperatures
turn mild for a few days (above 50 degrees). Sprays just
won’t work when it’s too cold. Remember to read and follow
all label directions.
• Check the condition of stored bulbs and tubers of
dahlias, tuberous begonias, caladiums and callas. Bulbs
stored in warm, humid conditions are prone to rot. Discard
any that feel soft or rotten.
• Use a magnifying glass to inspect both sides of the
leaves of your houseplants. Look for signs of insects.
Sticky residue may indicate the presence of mealy bugs or
soft scale. Small, fine webs may indicate spider mite
infestation. Call the Alamance County Cooperative Extension
Office at 570-6740 for information on the treatment of
insect problems on houseplants.
• Wipe dust from plants with smooth leaves with a damp
cloth. Use a cosmetic or soft paint brush to clean the
hairy leaves of African violets and gloxinia.
• Group clean, insect-free houseplants to increase humidity
during these dry winter months. Mist the group periodically
to enhance air moisture.
• Toward the end of this month, apply a dormant
horticultural oil to roses. Do this before bud break to
smother insects and their eggs. Read the label carefully
for instructions for use.
• Prevent ice from completely covering the surface of your
water garden during a hard freeze by tossing a rubber ball
in the water. If you missed your opportunity and the pond
is already frozen over, set a pot or kettle of hot water on
the ice to melt a hole. Resist the temptation to break the
ice by striking it as the subsequent vibration could be
harmful to fish and plants.
• If winter brings heavy snow your way, protect shrubs from
damage by using a broom to sweep snow accumulation from
branches. Use an upward motion to prevent further stress to
bent boughs.
• Postpone the pruning of overgrowth in shrubs and trees
until later next month.
• Clean used terra cotta pots before replanting. Soak them
in a solution of vinegar and water then use a brush to
remove fertilizer salts and other residues. Rinse
thoroughly with warm water.
• Review last year's gardening journal and layout this
year's garden design. Order plants and seeds and keep an
eye toward crop rotation to help prevent
disease.
