Watering: This is probably the most important activity for a garden in January. Throughout most of this area, winter droughts are common. Even though temperatures may dip very low, the available moisture necessary for plant growth may be lacking. Often the greatest damage to plants is caused by a dry freeze. When soil is dry, open and loose, the freezing air will penetrate, damage and often kill the root system of plants. The top surface of the soil, if kept moist, will freeze over and insulate the soil below, thus preventing the penetration of freezing temperatures. Mulch provides protection and helps hold moisture.
Even though freezing temperatures may not develop, many feeder roots can be damaged by becoming dehydrated, and a stunted plant will result. Thoroughly soak the bulbs that were planted last October as they are beginning to grow now. A light feeding of liquid plant food and thorough watering will improve the quality of bloom and length of stem.
Watering means thorough deep soaking and not just superficial sprinkling with a spray from the hose. The old fashion sprinkler hose or soil soakers are good for this purpose. Do not fail to keep the lawn areas watered during the winter months.
Garden tools and accessories: All tools should be readied for the busy spring schedule by cleaning, painting and sharpening. This is a perfect job for the keeper of the garden on a cold Saturday afternoon and will save time later when every minute counts in the care of an awakening garden. Many home landscapers and gardeners paint the handles of their tools with a band of identifying color. I know some plant enthusiast who use a color to match the house. A favorite pastime is to inspect the new types of tools and "garden gadgets" at your local hardware nursery or garden center store. There are many new gadgets introduced every year to the trade and many are very good, while others - well, we are all looking for an easier way to garden!
Annuals: Order your vegetable and flower seeds now. Plant the seed of hardy annuals outdoors and start the tender annuals indoors, or in green- house or hotbed.
Garden records: Make another resolution this month to keep garden records. Record such things as time of planting, quantities, varieties, costs of all items, watering, spraying, dates of rain, snow, ice, etc. By keeping records of this type, a gardener can very soon gather a wealth of information on various garden activities as well as many possible landscape designs. As this in- formation becomes sectionalized in nature, it is even more valuable. Perhaps you are the gardener who grows plants for exhibition if so, do you know how you produced the blue ribbon winners of last year?
Rush the season a bit by bringing in branches of the early flowering shrubs and trees and watch them open. Submerging these branches in water overnight improves the lasting quality of these branches after they are arranged. - 20763
Even though freezing temperatures may not develop, many feeder roots can be damaged by becoming dehydrated, and a stunted plant will result. Thoroughly soak the bulbs that were planted last October as they are beginning to grow now. A light feeding of liquid plant food and thorough watering will improve the quality of bloom and length of stem.
Watering means thorough deep soaking and not just superficial sprinkling with a spray from the hose. The old fashion sprinkler hose or soil soakers are good for this purpose. Do not fail to keep the lawn areas watered during the winter months.
Garden tools and accessories: All tools should be readied for the busy spring schedule by cleaning, painting and sharpening. This is a perfect job for the keeper of the garden on a cold Saturday afternoon and will save time later when every minute counts in the care of an awakening garden. Many home landscapers and gardeners paint the handles of their tools with a band of identifying color. I know some plant enthusiast who use a color to match the house. A favorite pastime is to inspect the new types of tools and "garden gadgets" at your local hardware nursery or garden center store. There are many new gadgets introduced every year to the trade and many are very good, while others - well, we are all looking for an easier way to garden!
Annuals: Order your vegetable and flower seeds now. Plant the seed of hardy annuals outdoors and start the tender annuals indoors, or in green- house or hotbed.
Garden records: Make another resolution this month to keep garden records. Record such things as time of planting, quantities, varieties, costs of all items, watering, spraying, dates of rain, snow, ice, etc. By keeping records of this type, a gardener can very soon gather a wealth of information on various garden activities as well as many possible landscape designs. As this in- formation becomes sectionalized in nature, it is even more valuable. Perhaps you are the gardener who grows plants for exhibition if so, do you know how you produced the blue ribbon winners of last year?
Rush the season a bit by bringing in branches of the early flowering shrubs and trees and watch them open. Submerging these branches in water overnight improves the lasting quality of these branches after they are arranged. - 20763
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