tips for tuesday
in the garden: january


Though it's been January-dreary for the past week or so around the Hill Country, Spring, for many of us, is really just around the corner as far as gardening goes. Just as you get the last boxes of holiday decorations stashed away, it's time to get planning.  

We can expect peas and asparagus early, and those spring greens for which we'll clamor in a few months, need to be in the ground as early as this month or next.  

Today, we'll take a look at the next few weeks of what and when to plant in Zone 8.  For information on planting dates for your particular zone, consult this chart to determine the zone in which your garden grows, and then adjust the following to-dos accordingly. And later today, information on preparing your plots--getting the best start.  Cause we all know that 
The beginning is the most important part of the work.--Plato.  And Mom.

In the Garden--January

Fertilize: Fertilize asparagus, strawberries, daylilies, iris, pansies and roses. Use compost, manure or a complete fertilizer.
Water: Water everything well before a freeze, but avoid overwatering.
Transplant: Plant bare root and container grown roses, shrubs, trees, groundcovers and vines. Move hardy seedlings outdoors. Divide and transplant perennial herbs and summer and fall blooming perennial flowers. Donate extras to a plant sale.


Prepare Soil: Add compost and/or fertilizer. Till deeply. Test soil (forms available at the Extension Office). Check winter mulch and replenish, if needed. Stockpile leaves for mulch and composting throughout spring and summer.
Lawn Care: If lawn has a history of brown patch problems, treat with a labeled fungicide late in the month. Repeat treatment in 3 to 4 weeks, if needed.
Diseases/Pests to look for: Check for mealy bugs and for scale on houseplants. Need a plant problem identified? Bring a sample in a ziplock bag to the a County Extension Office near you.


Things To Plant In January

Flower Plants: Alyssum, Butterfly Weed, Calendula, Candytuft, Cornflower, Dianthus, Daisy (African, Michaelmas and Painted), Gaillardia, Liatris, Edging Lobelia, Nasturtium, Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Pansy, Phlox paniculata, Snapdragon, Stock.
Flower seeds: Ageratum, Alyssum, Balsam, Bluebell, Calendula, Candytuft, Cleome, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Delphinium, Echinacea, Feverfew, Gaillardia, Gayfeather, Gerbera, Hollyhock, Hyacinth, Larkspur, Lobelia, Lupine, Nasturtium, Phlox, Poppy, Queen Anne’s Lace, Petunia, Snapdragon, Sweet Pea, Sweet William.
Bulbs: Allium, Alstroemeria, Amarcrinum, Canna, Crinum, Dahlia, Daylily, Gladiolus, Hosta, Hyacinth, Spider Lily (Hymerocallis), Liriope, Monkey Grass, Rain lily, Society Garlic, Tigridia, Tulip

Just around the corner......
Vegetables:
Early—Mid Month: asparagus crowns
Mid—Late Month: Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Onion sets, Peas (English & edible pod), Spinach
Herbs: Garlic chives, Horseradish, Parsley, Chervil
Fruit: Bare root or container grown pecans, fruit trees, grapes, berry bushes


Other Things To Do:
Time to get the garden ready for the new growing season. Clean, repair and replace garden tools. Create a garden plan to help organize chores and planting schedules. Start tomato, pepper and eggplant seedlings indoor under fluorescent lights.

(Courtesy of the Garden Guide for Austin & Vicinity, published by the Travis County Master Gardener Association, copyright 2000-2002, via Central Texas Gardener)

14 comments:

  1. Today is the day that we PM our tiller.

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  2. I think PM means "preventative maintenance." And also - I need to water my garden. I've got garlic, lettuce, spinach and green onions thriving through the freezes right now, but can't wait until the promise of asparagus and other things can begin!
    ~ Red Dirt Kelly
    http://www.reddirtchronicles.com/

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  3. Smart Kelly, I'm sure that's what it means. Meet my husband, Mr. Preventative Maintenance. ; ) (except when it means he's going to any doctor). I'm hoping this is the year we get to harvest the asparagus! Wooooot!
    Thanks for reading!

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  4. What's a garden soil test? We built our own garden box last summer and watched almost everything die in it from the heat, but I'm hoping that we can grow something this year.

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  5. Doesn't this warm weather make you want to get out in the garden? You are so right about spring being right around the corner. I have so much work to do in our garden. We moved into our home last March and weren't able to plant anything this past summer. We are really starting at the beginning.

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  6. Hi Julie, A garden soil test can be completed at your local Agricultural Extension office. You might contact a respected nursery in your area to find out who your extension agent is. I understand your frustration..we had similar experiences last year with about 1/4 acre of what we grew. Hard, hard work, no veggies. When temps hit over 95, most vegetables stop producing. But hope springs eternal and we're at it again this year.
    Steph, that is exactly what it's done and in fact, that's what got us out today..and plan to tomorrow. If I can help find answers to questions you guys come up with as you begin your planting in a new home, please don't hesitate to email: frommaggiesfarm@gmail.com.

    Thank you guys for reading, and commenting!

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  7. Thank you Maggie for offering to help answer my gardening questions. I might just take you up on that offer.

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  8. My pleasure! It would make all those mistakes we make mean something....hahaha

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  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  10. Yay! So happy to see this list ... I can't seem to find the time to even get my book out and reference it for myself! I will get those crinums planted! I will, by gosh!

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    1. Hey Cat! Thanks for dropping by! Glad you find this useful. Here's to healthy crinums!

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  11. I'm still clearing out all beds! Haven't thought about replanting ANYTHING yet! I'm slowly turning flower beds into veggie beds....city farming!

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  12. Hey Kate!
    I'm still sick from the flu and gardening from bed! lol We've gotten the beds cleaned out, and tilled under a bit, but we've got loads of work to do before we consider anything more than peas, and the asparagus that's already in ground. We actually do have a bed of greens growing, and as soon as they get a few more inches growth, we'll be knee-deep in salad.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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