January, Prepare For “Prime-Time”
By Lee Oliphant
Winter is finally here, and boy, are gardeners happy. There's lots to keep us busy as we get ready for spring. First, check out your soil. Squeeze a handful of it in your hand. If it sticks together, it's too wet to be worked. Leave it be until it dries out a bit and do not walk on wet soil. Doing so will cause the soil to compact. When a handful of soil is crumbly, it's safe to work in the dirt without damaging its structure.
If you neglected to spread quality compost around your roses and shrubs in the fall, do so now. Work it into the soil around your plants. Rain will carry nutrients from the compost towards the roots below.
Cut back perennials that are no longer blooming. Common plants like Russian sage, Mexican sage, Tagetes, Japanese anemones, and ‘Lavender Cloud' can be cut back to about 16” on stems that have bloomed. Buddleias (butterfly bushes) can be cut almost to the ground if they are fairly young, as well as California fuchsias, Shasta daisies, and yarrow. Shear mounds of Santa Barbara daisies and lavender with hedge clippers. You'll soon have a new crop of pretty spring blooms.
Harvest fall-planted broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts to keep the plants producing. Start seeds indoors for cool season vegetables like chard, cabbage, and celery for later planting.
Collect rainwater for indoor plants and for outdoor potted plants that may have missed out on the natural showers. Set indoor plants outside during warm, light rains for an hour or two to give them a refreshing bath.
On rainy days there's still plenty for the gardener still to do. Clean and organize garden sheds, greenhouses, and garages. Repair and clean gardening tools. Sharpen those that have become rusty or dull and ready them for heavy pruning of trees and shrubs next month. Peruse seed catalogues. Or, research drought-tolerant plants and different ways to make gardening easier and more enjoyable. Here's one helpful website to get you started - http://cagardenweb.ucanr.edu/.
Get ready! Gardening “prime-time” is right around the corner.