Compulsive soil folks that we are, we already are thinking of the next growing season as sunny day follows sunny day. Even though we know it’s far too early, we find ourselves poking under leaf cover for tiny green shoots. We’re particularly compulsive about this after a snow melt.
Although we know it’s far too soon to plant anything, there are tasks we can do now that will satisfy our gardening urges and save us time later when seasonal activity accelerates.
Now’s the time to clean tools. It’s a satisfying project now when we aren’t overwhelmed with springtime tasks. Since good tools are expensive and our perfect favorite tool is often impossible to replace, it’s wise to give them TLC.
Remove all caked soil with a mild detergent solution. Use steel wool to remove rust and then use rubbing alcohol to wipe down every part that touches the soil to prevent spreading pathogens or bacteria. A final spray with cooking oil will have your tools in prime working order when you need them, and you will feel such a glow of satisfaction.
Q. Since we didn’t garden much the last few years due to family responsibilities, we no longer receive any seed catalogs which we loved to dream over in winter months. Can you suggest any for plants for our region and for heirloom and/or organic seeds?
A. Since postage and printing costs are so expensive, fewer companies are sending out actual catalogs. However, every company has a website. Check ads in the back of gardening magazines that you find at your neighborhood library. You’ll find companies that specialize in everything from azaleas (won’t grow here) to zucchini. I like turtletreeseed.org (organic and heirloom vegetable seeds), reneesgarden.com (flowers and a wealth of vegetable seeds) and Peaceful Valley Organic Vegetables (groworganic.com) among others.
Unless you are seeking specialties for such perennials or bulbs as iris, daylilies or peonies, I suggest you use local nurseries (not big box stores) because they will stock plant materials suitable for our crazy climate and soil.
(A note here about New Mexico’s High Country Gardens, specialists in native plants. According to the website, High Country has closed the catalog and greenhouse business permanently due to drought, the economy and competition from big box stores, putting 30 people out of work. Sad.)
Q. We have a large redtwig dogwood that is 15 years old. We used to enjoy the red stems in the winter, but it no longer shows color, just brown stems. What’s wrong?
A. Relax, it’s nothing serious. Your dogwood probably just needs some serious pruning. The young branches are the ones with color; the old ones just stay brown. Remove some/all of the thick old brown stems and enjoy the vibrant new colored growth next winter. A regular schedule for removing the old will constantly revitalize your shrub. Dogwoods are resilient, so don’t be afraid to prune.
Q. An entire branch of our blue spruce turned brown as have many needles on a pine tree. Are the trees dying?
A. Probably not. This may merely be seasonal leaf drop which occurs throughout the year with these trees. However, this action may accelerate when trees are stressed. All of our trees are stressed now with the prolonged drought and warm temperatures. Water your trees on warm days and you might also have a licensed commercial tree company deep water the trees in the spring. If your trees do not produce new growth in the spring, call a certified arborist for help.
Q. Our lilacs are budding and some of the tulips have poked through the soil. Now what?
A. There’s nothing you can do about the lilacs except cross your fingers, but try dumping a shovelful of soil over your tulips to force them back into cold, dark winter. Make a note to plant all bulbs deeper than recommended to prevent this premature dormancy break in the future. Recent cold snaps may halt this growth.
Q. What potted holiday plants should be saved (for outdoor planting) and what should be discarded?
A. You don’t tell me what plants you have, but most of them are forced for one season only. Discard into the compost pile: poinsettias, azaleas and paperwhite narcissus. Kalanchoe can be good houseplants if you have lots of sunny exposure and don’t overwater. Christmas cactus can live many years in bright cool environments and usually re-bloom easily.
Eliminate winter doldrums by cutting branches of spring-blooming shrubs. The emerging green leaves will cheer the deepest funks.
TREES AND SHRUBS MUST BE WATERED THIS MONTH, UNLESS WE HAVE A BLIZZARD.
To January, the month of new hope.
