JANUARY GARDEN "TO DO" LIST
GENERAL GARDEN CARE
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Order seed, bulb, and nursery catalog to get started on this year's garden.
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Recycle Christmas tree branches by cutting them into 2-3 foot sections to use as mulch for garden and perennial beds.
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During winter thaws, water garden beds, turf and plants that have received salt spray from roads.
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Monitor plants for signs of damage from animals, ice, snow or wind.
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If it snows avoid using salt-based de-icing products in or around garden areas.
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Shovel snow before it freezes on sidewalks and sprinkle sand on sidewalks for traction.
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When shoveling, try to distribute snow equally on garden plants instead of piling it all against foundation planting or in the root zone of only one tree.
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Maintain a supply of water for the birds.
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Clean and refill bird feeders.
ANNUAL AND PERENNIALS
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LIGHT pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs can be done this month.
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Ice accumulation on tree branches should be left to melt.
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Immediately prune back branches damaged by snow and ice.
INDOOR GARDEN
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Houseplants require less water and much less or no fertilizer because of their slow growth at this time.