January in the Garden

January a wonderful month in deep south Texas to spend time in your garden!  But when we get 80 degree days like earlier this week, we're tempted to jump the gun on some garden tasks.  Here's a guide for January Garden Tasks in our area.  

• Gather and shred your fallen leaves.  They can easily be shredded with a mower or an inexpensive leaf shredder.   I have an electric leaf shredder, like the one pictured, that is indispensable this time of year.   The shredded leaves can then either be composted or used as mulch, where they will help suppress weed seed from sprouting and cool the soil during the summer. I have heard people say not to use live oak leaves because they contain too much tannin and tannin keeps the leaf from breaking down.   If you shred your leaves, they will decompose just fine.   Much to my husbands dismay, I am a proud leaf rustler.  I try to keep the back of my car empty so that I can pick up any bagged leaves that have been left at the curb.   You just can't have too many shredded leaves.
• Water only as needed.   Much of the landscape will be dormant and will not be using much water.   But dry cold fronts, high winds, and low humidity can dry your plants quickly so check them regularly.   Water an established lawn only every 10 days or two weeks.    
• Be prepared to protect your tender vegetation from any freezing temperatures that we may get. Go here to read more about this. 

PLANT: 

• Trees and Shrubs:   All trees, including fruit, with the exception of citrus.   This is also a good time to plant non-tropical shrubs.  
• Vegetables:  broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, Swiss chard, collards, kale, leaf lettuce, leeks, onion (plants, not seeds), parsley, potato, radish, spinach, and turnips.  
• Herbs:  basil, dill, fennel, mint (in a pot to contain the roots), rosemary, rue, thyme.   A frost will harm  your basil so it is best in a pot which can be brought in during inclement weather.  
• Flowers from Seed or Bulbs:  alyssum, amaryllis bulbs, calendulas, calla lillies, petunia, larkspur, poppy, stock, calendulas.     Some say you can still plant bluebonnets and nasturtium seed but, in my experience, those are best planted in October.
• Flowers from Transplants:   pansies, petunias, alyssum, dianthus, snapdragons, and violets
• Rose bushes

Vegetable Planting Date Sources:  Texas Extension Service and the Old Farmers Almanac . 

FERTILIZE:   Citrus trees that are at least 3 years old, your annuals and vegetables.  Do not fertilize tropicals right now; let them rest. 

PRUNE: 

• Landscape trees.  Most established landscape trees will require a certified arborist to properly and safely prune. 
• Peaches, figs, and other fruit trees.  I prune to remove dead wood, to shape the tree. and to keep it a size where I can reach the fruit.   We are going to plant a mango and an avocado tree and I am going to try to prune them shorter so their fruit is accessible.   I never wanted to grow them before because they get so tall, I felt like I'd be growing the fruit for the possoms, racoons, and other vermin.   
• Do not prune your shrubs yet.   Some of our worst cold snaps (and ice storms) have arrived in February.     

Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.         

Winter Beauties

This Kapok tree was planted four years ago. At that time, its thorns were pretty tiny. In my neck of the woods, Kapoks bloom in the August heat. It's one of the few blooming plants we have that time of year. I was hoping for blooms this year - but we are going to have to move this tree to another location so I guess I'll have to wait another year or two before I see those silky pink flowers. Ah, progress. As I've read about Kapok trees online, the one thing all the sites mention is its smooth trunk! Only one site (St. John USVI Beach Guide) mentioned thorns on the trunks and said that they drop off with age. I have watched one particular tree like this in Harlingen for 25 years and it still has thorns. With no leaves or flowers to flaunt right now, these thorns are the main event!

This pecan sits outside our farm office door. I just love the big flakey pieces of bark it has. Leaves or no leaves, it's a real beauty!

The bareness of crepe myrtles in winter just accentuates the beauty of its bark!

Gardening is just yummy!

Homegrown broccoli is so tender that it's just about as good raw as it is steamed. The first time I grew broccoli, the plants went into my compost pile shortly after the main stalk was harvested. I had no idea broccoli would continue producing smaller spears around the edges of the plant. That same winter, my dad ate from his broccoli plants for months! Live and learn.

We're keeping a close watch on this little beauty! Three of my six cauliflower plants have fruits that have turned purplish and whose florets are not full. Why does that happen?

This year's seeds are now in the garden centers so it's time to begin planning the spring veggie garden. I grow vegetables, herbs, and a few cut flowers in raised beds. The most important part of my plan will be finding the right bed for the tomatoes and peppers. Rotating their planting location will reduce any disease they might get. I also always look for disease resistant varieties. (that info is listed on the plant label). If you can keep your plants disease free, your family will be munchin' on home grown tomatoes until August. My fave tomato for the Rio Grande Valley is Celebrity. It has been a good producer year after year. Even if you don't have a "vegetable garden", tuck a tomato plant into one of your sunny beds. Your taste buds will thank you for it!

I hope that you all have a chance to grow a vegetable or two!