Happy New Year! How about this weather? I can’t remember having such cold weather so early for such a long time.
It’s important to water your grass, before a prolonged freeze. Don’t water frozen plants with warm water; this will only damage the plants. Wait until the plants have thawed to water.
January is the month to plant Cole Crops; these are broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. These crops should be covered with row cover, if a freeze is expected.
Cool season greens may be seeded at this time, spinach, turnips, or collards. Use transplants a little closer to February.
Plant cool season peas and keep the soil moist. Choose fast maturing varieties.
Make a planting of root crops; radishes, beets, carrots, and turnips. Water the seed in with a soluble fertilizer and feed every 10-14 days.
If you want large onions, use the bunched green onions, about the size of pencils. Do not use the little bulbs.
Plant asparagus in January. I planted 10 crowns 3 years ago. I’ve decided I needed more plants. I’ll plant 10 more. They must be planted in a space where they won’t be disturbed. Martha Washington crowns do well for me. Cut back seasons plants to the ground. Fertilize with an organic fertilizer. Cover the crowns with a layer of compost and mulch and water.
Much of the planting will depend on our weather.
This is a good time to clean, sharpen and oil gardening and landscape tools.
Keep leaves raked up from the lawns. Use the leaves for mulch on flower and garden areas; and around trees on the drip line. Do not place against the trunks of the trees.