The New Year brought some winter weather with it! I enjoyed the warm weather through December, but I did not enjoy getting mosquito bites while I mowed my lawn two weeks before Christmas. The recent cold front that blew in on New Year’s Day made it feel more like winter weather, and it certainly froze back a lot of perennial plants that were still green.
To get the year started off right, here are a few winter tasks to keep your lawn and garden in top shape.
First, January is a good time to prune trees because many of our trees have lost their leaves, making it easy to see the limb structure. Winter is a good time to do heavy pruning because the trees are not using much energy right now. Trees use a tremendous amount of energy to put on new leaves in the spring, so removing a large percent of the new foliage can stress the tree. January is also an excellent time to prune oak trees because the oak wilt pathogen is not being actively transmitted by the nitidulid beetle. We do not recommend pruning oak trees from February 1 through June 30.
Second, January and February are a great time to prune back perennial plants like salvia and lantana. The recent hard freeze froze many of my perennial plants down to the ground. You can prune them back to the base of the plant, and they will put on beautiful new growth in the spring. Do not prune spring flowering shrubs and trees that bloom on last year’s growth, such as spirea or forsythia. Wait to prune these early flowering shrubs right after they bloom in the spring. This will allow for them to grow in the summer and put on plenty of flower buds for next spring.
Third, control winter weeds by hand-pulling or mowing. Winter weeds like henbit, rescuegrass, and annual bluegrass have enjoyed the warm weather over the fall. Try to remove these weeds before they flower and put on seed heads. To prevent these weeds next year, consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide in September or early October.
Fourth, start thinking about preventing warm-season weeds. We can prevent grassy and broadleaf weeds with a pre-emergent herbicide in February, so start browsing the local lawn and garden centers for the proper products. Look for products that contain only a pre-emergent herbicide, not a combination product with weed control and fertilizer. We recommend fertilizing with a separate product in mid-April when the grass is actively growing.
Last, use this time to mulch around your flower beds and trees. A three-inch layer of arborist wood chips will help to prevent weeds, regulate soil temperature, and reduce water evaporation from the soil. Many of the city departments have an abundance of wood chips from tree removals due to Winter Storm Uri, and you might be able to pick up a load for reduced cost or free. Check with your local municipal district for information about mulch.
If you had a New Year’s Resolution to add more physical activity in your routine, just become a gardener! My list of lawn and garden tasks for January will keep you moving for several days. Be sure to watch our calendar of events for informational classes on lawn and garden topics at Williamson.agrilife.org/events/. For more information, contact Kate Whitney, Williamson County Horticulturist, at 512-943-3300.
