Mastering the Winter Garden: January and February Tips for a Flourishing Landscape
Unlock the Secrets of Seasonal Success with Expert Gardening Guidance from The Arboretum.
January Gardening Tips
- Plant/relocate trees and shrubs now while they are dormant so roots can establish. Prune trees and shrubs to remove unwanted or unhealthy growth in order to maintain an attractive growth habit.
- Plant annual color in beds and containers during days with warmer temperatures. Fertilize annuals regularly with a complete, water-soluble fertilizer.
- Divide and replant summer and fall blooming perennials while they are still dormant.
- Spring-blooming bulbs can still be planted until mid-January to give them enough time to establish roots and bloom.
- Plan your early spring vegetable garden. Sow seeds for spring annuals and veggies inside, per instructions based on the last frost date for your area. They need full sun and temperatures around 65 to 70 degrees (watch out for cold window sills!).
- Rye and fescue seeds can be spread during extended periods of warm temperatures. Fertilize overseeded lawns once they are established.
- Mulch new plantings to help retain moisture and insulate roots against cold temperatures.
- Keep frost cloth handy to cover any tender annuals, perennials or new plantings since January is usually the coldest month in North Texas.
February Gardening Tips
- Plant winter annuals such as pansies, dianthus, snapdragons and chard on warmer days.
- Sow seeds for spring annuals and veggies inside, per instructions based on the last frost date for your area. Remember, they need full sun and temperatures around 65 to 70 degrees (watch out for cold window sills!).
- Divide and replant summer and fall blooming perennials while they are still dormant.
- Plant or relocate native and cold-hardy trees and shrubs while they are dormant. It is also the perfect time to perform any tree trimming.
- Start pruning roses. A good rule of thumb is to prune them by Valentine’s Day. Climbing roses won’t need any trimming until after they bloom in spring.
- Mulch flower beds before the weather warms up and weeds begin to sprout.
- Fertilize winter annuals throughout the winter and continue into spring. Use a complete, water-soluble fertilizer to help them get established while it’s still cold.