January Gardening Tips
• Many customers, especially newcomers, assume you cannot plant this time of year. This is not the case! There are many cold hardy plants, trees and palms that can be planted now. For newcomers it is very important to know what your Hardiness Zone is- we are Zone 9. The higher the zone number, the more likely the plant will suffer freeze damage – in some cases- irrevocably! Always ask a lot of questions- advice is free-replacing plants is not!
• January is a good time to get your lawn and garden equipment ready to go for the New Year. Clean up your equipment, removing rust and debris and clean with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. Get your lawn mower blades and shears sharpened or have the blades replaced if necessary. Check your hoses for leaks and make sure you do not leave water in the hose if we are expecting a cold night as it will undoubtedly freeze and create cracks in the hose.
• During this driest time of the year, your lawn and mature landscape require less water as they are in dormancy. However, if you have fruit trees (either deciduous or citrus), irrigation should continue for these trees. Generally, apply 2 inches of water every 10-14 days unless adequate rainfall occurs. This will insure a deep root system.
• Continue to monitor for scale on citrus, shrubs, camellias and deciduous fruit trees. Apply horticultural oil or Spinosad as directed.
• Deadhead annuals to encourage new blooms and fertilize with a “bloomer” fertilizer to keep blooms coming through the balance of the winter.
• Mow lawns less this time of year: Recommended heights: St. Augustine & Bahia 3”-4”, Centipede 1.5”-2.0”, Zoysia 2.5”
• Check citrus for ripeness by taste testing- not color. Varieties for January include Naval, Parson Brown and Pineapple Oranges. Temple and Dancy Tangerines, tangelos and grapefruit. Fruit doesn’t ripen after picking. Conversely, over-ripe fruit will become dry and tasteless.
• The beautiful Poinsettia that you may have gotten for the holidays can be planted in the ground when the threat of frost has passed. Keep them in the house or a cool area until that time. Plant them in a part sunny area that does not get too wet or hold water or the foliage will droop and drop. They are heavy feeders so fertilize regularly and protect from frost in future seasons.
Lawn Care
St Augustine & Zoysia Lawns
Hi Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed & Grass Stopper with Dimension
• Prevents weed seeds from germinating
• Do not use where garden seeds or flower seeds are sowed
• Can also be used in landscape beds. Weed bed then apply to prevent weed seeds from germinating
• Lasts for 2-3 months
• Will not kill existing weeds
• Water in
Bahia Lawns
No applications this month!