January Garden Calendar | Johnson County K-State Extension Lawn & Garden Tips

Lawn

• Avoid walking on frozen lawns as it may injure the grass.
• Rake fallen leaves that pile up on the lawn to prevent the grass from suffocating.
• Proper mower maintenance is essential; tune-up now.
• Scatter snow instead of piling up on the lawn next to drives and walks.
• Talk with the lawn service company now about summer contracts.
• Dormant seed following a light snow or rainfall.

Flowers

• Scan nursery catalogs for new introductions.
• Still have bulbs to plant? Get in the ground now.
• Start seeds throughout the winter, depending on growth requirements.
• Water fall-planted perennials as needed to prevent desiccation.
• Watch for signs of frost heaving and cover tender roots.
• Replace mulch layers as needed.
• Check stored bulbs for rot and decay and discard damaged ones.
• Curl up with a good book and learn more about gardening.

Trees and Shrubs

• Gently brush off heavy snow from tree and shrub limbs to reduce damage.
• Prune storm-damaged limbs quickly to reduce damage and prevent tearing of the bark.
• Allow ice to melt naturally from limbs.
• Bring twigs of flowering trees and shrubs indoors for forced spring blossoms.
• Avoid the temptation to prune on a warm winter day.
• Water fall-planted trees and shrubs when soil is dry and not frozen.
• Watch out for rabbit damage to bark of trees and shrubs.

Vegetables and Fruit

• Peruse seed catalogs and prepare orders.
• Check stored seeds for decay.
• Soil test and prepare for spring planting by making required additions.
• Start vegetable transplants for the garden under grow lights.
• Order fruit trees.
• Pick up fallen fruit before spring arrives and discard.
• Be on the lookout for rabbit and rodent damage to fruit tree bark.

Indoor Plants

• Wash the dust off plant leaves to allow more sunlight to reach the leaves.
• Water plants with room temperature water.
• Insecticidal soap sprays can be used to remove pests.
• Mealy bugs and scales can be wiped off with a swab soaked in rubbing alcohol.
• Rotate plants to develop a well-rounded plant.
• Keep new plants separated to be sure they do not harbor insects.
• Reduce fertilizer use until spring when more sunlight is available for growth.

Miscellaneous

• Repair garden tools.
• Sand and seal tool handles to prevent splinters.
• Apply brightly-colored paint to tool handles to make them easier to spot in the garden.
• Keep bird feeders and water supplies filled for feathered friends.

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Have questions? The Garden Hotline is staffed by trained EMG volunteers and Extension staff who will assist you with questions.

Phone: (913) 715-7050

Email: garden.help@jocogov.org