Coastal Region – Christopher Burtt
- Create a plan for the Spring in the garden, including a list of materials, such as seeds. Many seed varieties sell out quickly, so it is best to purchase them now, but remember only to buy as much as you need, as seeds do not last forever.
- Some seeds, such as peppers, need to be started now.
- If you have not done so yet, have your soil tested.
- Some planting can still be done, such as trees and shrubs. Planting early helps improve the chance of survival as the plants are allowed time to put out more roots before the heat of the summer.
- Continue to clean and sharpen gardening tools.
- Clean up fallen camellia blooms to prevent and control petal blight.
- There is still time to plant roses, gladiolas, tulips, asparagus crowns, and cabbage.
- Fertilize asparagus and strawberry patches according to soil test results.
- Sow sweet pea and strawflower seeds directly into the soil.
- Continue to pull weeds in the garden beds.
- Less water is needed during the colder months, but it is wise to monitor rainfall to prevent the landscape from drying out. For more information, see HGIC Irrigating During Winter Months: Trees & Shrubs and HGIC Winter Irrigation for Turfgrass Lawns.
Clean up fallen camellia blooms to prevent and control petal blight.
Christopher Burtt, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Clean up fallen camellia blooms to prevent and control petal blight.
Christopher Burtt, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Midlands Region – Carmen Ketron
- Even with the weather going up and down, it is time to start seeds indoors. Check out Clemson Extension’s planning a garden calendar for which plants do best as transplants and which you should plant directly in the ground in a few months. January is also a great time to test your garden soil and add any amendments to improve the garden beds.
- The intense winter weather may have knocked back some plants that typically have pretty growth and color this time of year. Follow these directions to identify the cold injury and care for damaged plants.
- Lawns may be dormant, but they still need a little attention. Most warm-season grasses do not need constant winter irrigation but may benefit from occasional watering during extended dry periods lasting more than two weeks. Now is also an excellent time to prepare for warmer months by getting a soil test of your lawn.
Adding compost amendments prior to planting.
Carmen Ketron, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Tip burn on plants is common after a significant cold event (Viburnum).
Carmen Ketron, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Tropical plants exposed to below freezing temperatures will perish. The extent of the damage may not be known until Spring (Colocasia).
Carmen Ketron, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Upstate Region – Mary Vargo
- January is typically the coldest month of the year in the upstate region. Cold weather damage on plants can show up in many ways when freezing temperatures cause plant cells to rupture due to fluctuating temperatures. Here are some tips for avoiding cold damage on your plants and why specific symptoms may appear after a particularly cold winter.
- Deciduous trees and shrubs offer an inside look into their branching structure and form in the winter months. Use this time wisely to decide what kind of management should be taken as growth starts to push out in the spring. Pruning may be necessary to improve the appearance and reduce disease pressure by thinning out canopies and increasing air circulation.
- Show your houseplants some love this month by taking a moist rag or paper towel and gently wipe the leaves off, removing as much dust as possible. Removing the dust allows the leaves to gather light more efficiently, resulting in better growth. Look over this helpful factsheet on typical houseplant diseases and disorders to know what specific symptoms, such as leaf drop, yellowing, etc., could indicate.
- Certain cool-season vegetable seeds, such as Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower, can be started indoors this month. Check out this factsheet on starting seeds indoors to find a system that works for you and your space.
- Seed quality is a massive contributor to how successful your garden will be, as well as selecting suitable transplants for your garden if you choose not to start from seed. To learn more about selecting seeds and plants or how to save seeds, see HGIC 1258, Selecting Good Seeds or Plants.
- Try sprouting a test sample of leftover seeds before ordering new seeds for spring. (Roll up ten seeds in a damp paper towel. Keep moist and warm. Check for germination in a week. If fewer than half sprout, order fresh seeds.)
- Take some time to do some tool cleaning and inventory this month. I like to purchase hot neon-colored tools or apply a bit of paint in a bright shade to the handles of tools so I can easily spot them when I repeatedly lose them while doing 1000 things at once in the garden.
Deciduous trees and shrubs like this blueberry offer a clear sight into their branching patterns in the winter months, so pruning decisions can be made easier depending on the species.
Mary Vargo, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Check in on your houseplants this month by taking a damp cloth and wiping off any potential dirt or dust buildup on the leaves.
Mary Vargo, ©2023, Clemson Extension
