List of Gardening Tasks to Complete in January

The garden can still be worked on even in the midst of the winter doldrums. Keep up with our gardening endeavors this month.

Purchase a Seed Supply

For spring crops such as radishes, peas, and lettuce, I usually purchase seeds for the new year on New Year’s Day or earlier. Because everyone else is thinking along the same lines, and because there is only so much seed available, getting in early is the wisest course of action. I order for the summer, too, and use this time to ponder my garden’s long-term objectives. Knoxville, Tennessee-based Kelly Smith Trimble

Maintaining your garden tools

Mow the lawn and sharpen your gardening implements. Atlanta, Georgia’s Danny Flanders

Seeds can be started inside.

Indoor seedlings for spring vegetables can be started now. As —Danny Flanders.

Keep Plant Cuttings Well Taken Care Of

Geranium cuttings that I collected in October are doing nicely now that I have given them plenty of time to establish themselves. Every three days, I find myself watering them again. During the month of March, I’ll repot them into larger pots. — At the Frostburg, Maryland, home of Julie Martens

Paperwhites that flower in water

Adding water to my paperwhite narcissus is a need right now because they are in full bloom. I’m taking my time to enjoy the floral scents. —Julie Martens

Cut Amaryllis back

One of my amaryllises is just about to blossom. The stalks will be chopped down and I’ll use it as a houseplant until spring, when I’ll transplant it outside. Atlanta, Georgia-based Lynn Coulter

Give an Annual Fertilizer Treatment

The bi-weekly application of nitrate-enriched water-soluble fertilizer for annuals should continue.
Danny Flanders, songwriter, and musician

Dressing Tables

Compost or composted manure can be used as a top layer in the beds.
Danny Flanders, songwriter, and musician

Pre-freeze water

If a strong freeze is predicted, be sure to saturate everything with water.
Danny Flanders, songwriter, and musician

Retain Cold-Tolerant Vegetables

My go-to winter vegetables include spinach, mustard, garlic, and kale, all of which can withstand temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Felder Rushing in the Mississippi city of Jackson

Utilize Row Cover Cloth to Keep Plants Safe

A little hay and some frost cloth are on hand in case the temperature drops fast and I need to protect my winter vegetables. In a rush: —Felder

Now is the Time to Order Potatoes.

Starting now, look online for a source of purple and other unique potatoes to plant in March. The more entertaining ones tend to go fast. In a rush: —Felder

Shed a New Color

A splash of color may do wonders on a gloomy winter day. The tool shed is going to be painted. Atlanta, Georgia, residents Mark, and Debbie Wolfe

Get Rid of Dead Perennials.

Because of the mild winter we’ve had, I’ve been able to keep up with gardening tasks like pulling down spent perennials.
She is —Julie Martens

Refrain from allowing rascally rabbits in.

The ‘Chicago Hardy fig is being devoured by rabbits. During the summer, I need to keep that in a cage. — Julie Martens is the author of this article.

Whiteflies in Peril

Whitefly is a problem for my Greek basil at this time of year. When a plant has an issue with its leaves, I keep an eye out for them. JULIA MARTENS

Begin a New Pile of Compost

This is a new year, which means it’s time to start over… We’re going to launch a new project. —Mr. and Mrs. Mark Wolfe

Restock bird feed troughs

To lighten the dismal winter days, I’m filling bird feeders with nectar and seed.
Atlanta, Georgia is Felicia Feaster’s home.

Bird Feeders should be well cleaned

To minimize the spread of disease, keep your bird feeders spotless. Rinse and dry the container before refilling it with bleach or a light disinfectant, if needed. —North Carolina’s Mick Telkamp

Overseed the Lawn’s Empty Spots

Seeding some barren places in the backyard to give the lawn a jump start. It’s a good time of year for seeds to be frozen and thawed to help them germinate. M. Telkamp, author

Research the Replacement of Lawns

To put it simply, my grass is in serious need of some TLC. Considering the different alternatives available and whether sod, seed, or plugs are the best choice for my project. Feaster, Felicia

Make Boxes for Windows

I plan to begin re-staining my back deck once the weather permits. Flower boxes and hooks for hanging baskets are on my to-do list this year. Flowers that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds will be planted on my porch because I can see them from inside my home. to use the words of a great American writer

Take Out the Wasted Veggies

In the winter garden, we’ll be removing the wasted veggies. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Wolfe

Branches of Force

My pussy willow bush’s limbs were driven within after being chopped down. Where my Christmas tree formerly stood, I now have a large vase in which to display them. Did you know that you may easily root pussy willows, either from your own bush or from the store? I bought a bunch of chopped branches at the market last year and placed them in water, where they grew into these beautiful specimens. Planting one of these in my garden resulted in a huge, fruitful pussy willow tree. The enchantment of the garden! Feaster, Felicia

Damaged trees should be surveyed

Keep an eye out for dead or broken branches on the many trees that surround my Atlanta house, and if any limbs seem dead or withering and are at risk of falling, I’ll phone my tree service. Feaster, Felicia

Plants should be replanted.

This spring, I’ll be repotting the root-bound Dracaena ribbon I rooted from an overgrown plant last year. In a rush: —Felder

Wildflowers Should Not Be Removed

For those rare warm days when bees are out feeding, I’ll leave a few clumps of Oxalis and other lawn and garden weeds alone. Later, the Easter Bunny would leave colorful eggs in this spot. In a rush: —Felder

Add a Touch of Winter

The winter blues may be chased away with bright garden accents like this amusing glass piece.
In a rush: —Felder

Neighbors Can Trade Plants With You

This winter, I want to ask a nearby neighbor for the roots of her Nandina, which not only looks lovely in the winter garden but also appears to be unappealing to birds because the berries don’t appear mature as typical red ones do.
In a rush: —Felder

Check out a Garden Center

Take a stroll around the greenhouses at your neighborhood florist or garden shop. This is one of my favorite things to do after the Christmas rush and before Valentine’s Day orders get crazy hectic. Frequently, they answer my queries regarding propagation and recommend new species to check for when spring rolls around. A session on organic gardening was even scheduled by my favorite person, thanks to my persuasive efforts. Winnetka, Illinois resident Kim Visokey chimes in:

Take a Few Pictures

Everything about photos taken in a winter garden appeals to me. During the midst of the hectic gardening season, they inspire me to reflect on my own and other gardens in new ways. Fresh snowfall on the garden makes for a stunning photo opportunity, so it’s time to break out the camera. You’ll have a new perspective on the world around you. Visokey: Kim Visokey

Examine for Snow Damage

Immediately following a new snowfall, do a brief survey. It just takes a few minutes to remove snow from shrubs, but doing so can prevent damage to the plant and save you money. Don’t try to thaw or remove heavy, frozen snow by force; you might cause more harm than good. It was a pleasure working with you!

Go on a Gardening Safari

Are you planning a trip during the month of January? Check out the nearby botanical sites and gardens before you go to get some ideas. the eminent Kim Visokey