Coastal Region – Christopher Burtt
- If you have not done so yet, have your soil tested.
- Create a plan for the Spring in the garden, listing materials, such as seeds, to purchase now.
- Begin preparation for spring vegetables by purchasing and starting seeds.
- Planting or moving woody material, such as trees and shrubs, can be done now. Planting now 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.
- Plant or transplant roses, gladiolas, tulips, trees, shrubs, asparagus crowns and cabbage.
- Fertilize asparagus and strawberry patches.
- Sow sweet pea and strawflower seeds directly into the soil.
- Continue to weed garden beds.
- Less water is needed during the colder months; still monitor rainfall to make sure the trees, shrubs, and lawn avoid drying out.
Annual seedlings in the greenhouse.
Christopher Burtt, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Camellia in bloom.
Christopher Burtt, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Camellia in bloom.
Christopher Burtt, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Fertilize strawberry plants according to soil test results.
Christopher Burtt, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Midlands Region- Carmen Ketron
- If you are looking for ideas on what to do with your Christmas tree, evergreen wreaths, and other live decorations, check out this factsheet on repurposing your holiday décor to benefit wildlife.
- Now is the time to start cool-season vegetable seeds, such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Check out this factsheet on starting seeds indoors to get your garden off to a good start.
- Lawns may be dormant, but they still need a little attention. Most warm-season grasses need occasional watering during extended dry periods lasting more than two weeks. For more information, see HGIC factsheets on Irrigating During Winter Months: Trees & Shrubs and Winter Irrigation for Turfgrass Lawns.
- January is an excellent time to prepare for warmer months by getting a soil test of your lawn.
- Now is the time to fertilize early spring plants such as asparagus and strawberries.
- If you want to enhance your backyard for the benefit of wildlife, January is a great time to plan for the year ahead. Check out our HGIC Backyard Enhancement Factsheet for ideas.
Take time to consider “re-wilding” your backyard for the enhancement of biodiversity and enjoyment of wildlife.
Carmen Ketron, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Now is the time to start your early crops such as lettuce, broccoli, and root vegetables. Start indoors and transplant into an outdoor space or grow in containers to enjoy in a sunroom or kitchen window.
Carmen Ketron, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Christmas tree drop-off located in Pickens County.
Susan Lunt, ©2021, Clemson University
Transplants grown with proper light creates stocky, healthy plants.
Zack Snipes, ©2020, Clemson Extension
Upstate Region – Millie Davenport
January is a time for starting anew and planning for spring. Take notes and plan what you will do once spring weather arrives. Will you plan to add more flowering plants to attract pollinators? Or will you plan to grow a summer vegetable garden? The possibilities are endless, but no matter what you hope to achieve in 2024, pull out your garden journal and make notes on how to make your plans a reality.
To get ahead of the game:
- Do a soil test to determine what lime and fertilizers will be needed. Soil test samples are easy to collect. If you need help filling out the soil sample form, see HGIC 1658, How to Complete a Soil Form for Sample Submission to the Agricultural Service Laboratory.
- Clean tools that you have on hand. Also, take time to determine what needs replacing and what you might need to add to your toolbox.
- Make a list of plants you want to add to the landscape to attract pollinators.
- And how about the vegetable garden? Evaluate what you have room for and what your schedule will allow time to maintain. Then, sit back and browse through the new seed catalogs and plan your purchases.
If you read my blog about spring bulbs, you may be interested in planting some tulips for an annual pop of color or, as it was called in my blog, a “special little moment.” This is a great time to get them in the ground or containers! Remember to discard bulbs after blooming; they will not reliably perennialize in South Carolina.
- Pro Tip: Place the flat side of the tulip bulbs toward the rim of the pot. The larger tulip leaf will always grow from this side of the bulb. Orienting the bulbs this way will create a more aesthetically pleasing container of tulips.
Speaking of bulbs, if you have an amaryllis that has finished blooming, save it! You can plant these bulbs in late spring after the fear of frost has passed. NOTE: Just remember that these bulbs were forced (which uses a lot of energy) and may take a year or two to flower again.
I planted tulips in a pot next to my doorsteps, so I can enjoy a “special little moment” in late winter.
Millie Davenport, ©2023, HGIC, Clemson Extension
Lawn & garden soil samples may be dug by trowel.
Joey Williamson, ©2016 HGIC, Clemson Extension
A small pollinator garden with Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) and Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculm).
Millie Davenport, ©2015 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Garden Vegetables
Millie Davenport, ©2015 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Some tools, like this garden fork, have grooves that hold soil.
Stephanie Turner, ©2021, Clemson Extension
