January Gardening in Falls County - Part 2

GARDENING: Cultivating the bond between people, plants, and the environment

Falls County is experiencing overnight and early morning freezing temperatures this week. In gardening, this time is vital for a great outcome in Spring.

Prune deciduous shrubs and trees. First, note: “Use a bleach/water or alcohol solution to disinfect pruners between plants to prevent spreading diseases like Rose Rosette Virus (RRV),” advises AgriLife Today.

Herbaceous perennials like Texas Lantana and American Beautyberry can be cut down to the ground, yes, to the ground. Remove all of the old wood; they completely regrow every year. How you prune depends on your plant. Study up on the plant’s proper care. Visit Texas A&M Horticulture online.

Some Texas trees and shrubs require almost no pruning. Some are even averse to it. A rule of thumb, however, is that even the staunchest native needs to have dead wood removed. Remove limbs too low to the ground or branches overhanging a building. Prune back upper branches to reduce shock. “Don’t remove more than one-third of the plant’s foliage at a time to avoid weakening it,” advises a Texas A&M Horticulture page.

For grasses and shrubs, try to preserve a root mass equal in size to the crown. For things like irises, cut back the green leaves to 5-6 inches.

Clean up your houseplants. Dust can clog the pores on leaves; a small wipe down of your houseplants will keep them sturdy and vi-brant. Rotate the plant if you notice it leaning towards the light (it may also need a more southern exposure during the weaker light of winter). Keep a close eye on the soil’s moisture; fungus gnats can be an issue if the soil is too wet. Houseplants do not need to be watered as often in the winter. Also, check houseplants for spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects.

This is an ideal time to plant fruiting and ornamental trees. They are dormant during the winter and suffer much less from transplant shock.

Prune fruit trees annually at around this time. This will result in increased production. This is called a dormant prune. Do not prune earlier, as trees around here have not been dormant very long. The ideal time is right before bud break, which usually occurs around mid-January to February depending on the weather and the type of tree.

Grapes are increasing in popularity! This is the ideal time to plant dormant bareroot vines. This is the best time for container plants, too. The hole for the root system needs to be only as big as the root system. Do not add fertilizer, but do water deeply. Cut off all but the most vigorous cane and prune it back to two buds.

Lawns are generally still dormant and not yet into Spring growth. Lawns are still alive and need watering. Gauge by the rainfall. If it doesn’t rain much for a couple weeks, water the lawn to prevent dessication. Drought is the largest killer of a winter lawn. Since temperatures can still reach 75 degrees in January, evaporation remains an issue. But, yay, no one should have to mow a lawn in January!

Pests and wildlife need the gardeners’ help all yearround but especially in January in Falls County.

For native birds, this is a dearth season, so providing a high-energy birdseed during the winter months to make up for food shortages is the best thing to do for them. Place feeders where birds are safe from, say, prowling cats. If you notice many birds taking advantage of the birdseed and suet, it may mean there are not enough native food sources nearby. For this, consider adding native plants to the garden that supply winter food for songbirds, such as American beautyberry, Texas persimmon, or Possumhaw holly.

Thank you for taking a stewardship approach in gardening. This is a daily practice, not a one-time act, but when we care for nature, it cares for us. After all, we are part of the ecosystem, not separate from it, and human survival is tied to environmental health. Happy gardening in January!

Next week: Crepe Myrtle - A Texas Favorite (although not native).