garden

JANUARY GARDEN CALENDAR:TEXAS

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  Water outdoor plants in the absence of rain, and especially when freezing weather is expected. Well-hydrated plants are more likely to survive severe temperatures. Water holiday gift plants with care.


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  Check the soil before watering to make sure it is dry and to avoid drowning plants. Allowing these and other houseplants to dry out between waterings will help prevent or control fungus gnats.


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  Finish tulip and daffodil plantings. Plant the bulbs at a depth of two to three times their width.


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  Plant fruit trees. Choose well-adapted varieties, and plant at least two varieties of most apples and pears for maximum fruit production.


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  Early in the month, turn under clover and other green manure crops in the vegetable garden so that the soil will be ready for planting next month. Even if you haven't planted a green manure crop, till the garden to expose overwintering insects.


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  Add fresh manure to the vegetable garden soil to allow for decomposition before planting time.


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  Outdoors, plant cold-hardy color, such as dianthus and pansies.


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  Indoors, sow seeds of petunias, alyssum and other spring-blooming annuals to be planted outdoors later.


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  Prune trees as necessary to remove broken, rubbing or overlapping limbs. Also remove limbs that are hanging too close to the house or walkways. Make judicious cuts to maintain the tree's natural shape.


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  Plant grapes and blackberries. Consider planting them along a fence as an easy way to provide support.


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  Transplant native plants while they are dormant.


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  Move trees and shrubs within the landscape. Perhaps you have plants worth saving that have outgrown their current locations. As you transplant, strive to move the plants to sites with the proper light conditions and adequate space for their mature sizes.


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  Have lawnmowers serviced.