January is here and we will still experience cold temperatures as it is the second coldest month of the year. Average temperatures are in the 65 degree range, with highs in the 70s or 80s and lows in the 40s and 50s.
Frost is always a possibility and has been a reality on Marco Island in the past. These frosts can cause extensive damage to our lawns, flowers and tropical plants. Especially plants that were cut too late at the end of the year and now have tender young shoots.
What should be done? Do not ride the mower over the lawn as this can further damage the blades. Cut once every ten to fourteen days only as needed, and may be less after such an event. And resist the urge to cut off dead and damaged branches from your tree. Wait until spring to do this, as it may be colder down the road and may be more damaging to new shoots or tender growth at the tips of your branches.
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Be careful not to flood your landscape with water. The cold will cause a lot of brown in our landscape. Your plants, trees and palm trees have lots of yellow and brown leaves and are starting to fall. Remember, this is a cold injury and not due to dehydration. These affected plants will remain dormant and respiration rates will be very low. Water stays in the soil longer and this continuous moisture can cause diseases. Keep your sprinklers running once a week or less until warm, dry spring weather arrives in April or May.
Many flowers and vegetables are damaged by frost, but luckily you can still plant some new plants in January. If your flower damage is minimal, you can cut the tops for new flowers instead of completely replacing the bed. If flowers and vegetables fall to the ground, it's best to remove them and start over.
Hibiscus plants bloom profusely after a good cold spell. It may be a bit too cold for this tropical plant and only time will tell. Azaleas also begin to bloom in January. Plant azaleas where they get some sun, but not full sun. It's too strong for them in South Florida. It is also a suitable month for planting rose bushes. Full Dr. Huey or Fortuiana are penned. This rootstock is resistant to nematodes, and roses grafted onto it can live fifty to sixty years. Roses give beautiful flowers even in cold weather.
January is one of those months when citrus fruits are fertilized. Be sure to fertilize your citrus before flowering in the spring. Many of the citrus trees in our orchards on Marco Island have been slowly declining and dying due to hurricane damage in recent years. Fertilize the mangoes when they start blooming, be it December, January or February. If diseased mango pods or flowers are a problem, spray flowering plants with copper as an alternative to other fungicides to prevent copper toxicity to protect flowers and fruit from disease.
For spider mites, pay special attention to evergreens such as arborvitae, juniper and Italian cypress. Treat with a miticide to control.
Many people with poinsettias do not dispose of these plants after the holidays. It can be planted as an ornamental plant in South Florida, but it can be a very tall plant, so care must be taken when selecting a location. It should be a place where there is no light at night so that it will bloom next season. They are not without problems. Hornworms can eat away at your poinsettias this month. They can grow up to several centimeters and can be difficult to find. These pests can destroy a tree within a day. Also, notice the eggs, which are perfectly round and bright green. They are located on the top and bottom of leaves and bushes. Balls are small BB size. When poinsettia leaves turn yellow and stems split and fall off, remove and discard the entire plant as it is diseased.
As the new year begins, we should all work to better govern our country. Use good gardening practices that will help you use less fertilizers and pesticides, and most importantly, water. Learn to identify invasive plants that harm our natural areas. Don't plant them in your landscape, and if they've volunteered on your land, remove them from your yard or vacant lot so they don't spread to some of the precious natural areas in and around Marco Island. Plant some native plants and say hello to the wildlife that surrounds us with space in your garden. Marco Island is truly a special paradise that we are lucky to share with Mother Nature. Let's not forget that we all love him so much. I wish you and our people a healthy and prosperous new year.
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Peter and Eileen Ward have sold Marco Greensward after 40 years in the Marco Island lawn and landscaping business. You can contact Eileen with comments or questions about her column at gswdmarco@comcast.net or 239-269-0192.
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