Flowers
- Apply winter mulch to protect rose bush bud unions and other perennials. Wait until after several early freezes or you will give insects a good place to winter.
- Poinsettias must have at least six hours of bright, indirect light daily. Keep plants away from drafts.
- Watch for and control pests on indoor houseplants.
- Make sure indoor plants are receiving enough light or set up an indoor fluorescent plant light.
Tree & Shrub
- Live Christmas trees are a wise investment, as they become permanent additions to the landscape after the holidays.
Lawn & Turf
- Continue to mow fescue as needed at 2 inches and water during dry conditions.
- Keep falling leaves off fescue to avoid damage to the foliage.
Fruits & Nuts
- Cover strawberry plants with a mulch about 3-4 inches thick if plants are prone to winter injury.
- Wait to prune fruit trees until late February or March.
General
- Keep all plants watered during dry conditions even though some may be dormant. Irrigate all plantings at least 24 hours before hard-freezing weather if soil is dry. (HLA-6404)
- Order gardening supplies for next season.
- Now is a great time to design and make structural improvements in your garden and landscape.
- Send for mail-order catalogs if you are not already on their mailing lists.
- Clean and fill bird feeders.
- Till garden plots without a cover crop to further expose garden pests to harsh winter conditions.
- Visit your county extension office to obtain gardening fact sheets for the new gardening season.
- Join a horticulture, plant or urban forestry society and support community “greening” or “beautification” projects.
- Review your garden records so you can correct past mistakes. Purchase a new gardening journal or calendar to keep the New Year’s gardening records.
For more tips, download the pdf here.