Plant A Blooming Tree: What To Do In The Garden In January, February

Gardening is a year round activity here in North Florida. January and February may be slower months, but there is still work to be done.

One of the first things on your mind right now might be what to do with tender plants damaged by December frosts.

The advice from development worker Terry DelValle, who used to work in Jacksonville, is very succinct: Question of the day: "Can I get rid of those ugly brown plants in my landscape?" This answer may not be what you want to hear, but it's best to wait to prune cold-damaged brown plants when new growth emerges in the spring. So be selective when pruning; reduce the number of new shoots and try not to leave your ass.

“The exception to this rule are plants with a strong underground root system that regularly returns every year, such as ginger and fire pike (Odontonema strictum). Other plants such as hibiscus and firebush (Hamelia patens) must be pruned to allow for growth. visible. when. Pruning too early exposes the plant to more damage in the event of new frosts.

To plant trees

Instead of focusing too much on the damage caused by recent frosts, remember that now, in the middle of our winter, is the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs. This is a better time to plant than during the warmer months because plants are actively growing and water requirements are higher.

You will need to water your newly planted plants now, even in winter, but you will find that the root balls do not dry out as quickly. The roots will continue to grow even in winter and will help stabilize the plants before the heat arrives. So take advantage of the cooler weather and the extra gardening time you currently have, especially for your larger gardening projects.

Japanese magnolias, Taiwanese cherries, okame cherries, redflowers and maples are some of the trees you'll see blooming around Tallahassee in late winter. Now is the time to add some to your garden. Or maybe last summer you thought you needed shade trees.

This is a good time to plant spring flowers like dogwoods and summer flowering trees like myrtles and chestnuts. Everything will be fine even if we have more blocks.

hardy camellias

You will notice that the camellia flowers, as well as the buds showing the color, were damaged by the severe frosts we had. But you may also have noticed that when the weather returned to normal, more camellia buds opened into vibrant blooms. Camellias are very tenacious all around us, and they add color to the landscape at a time when flowers are scarce. Now is the time to purchase new camellias from nurseries to add a splash of winter color to your landscape.

Fencing and gardening

Have you thought about putting on a privacy cover? Fast-growing shrubs like Sweet Viburnum and Ocala Anise can do the trick and now is the time to plant them. Or maybe you have shrubs in front of the house that really need replacing with low plants or ground covers like grasshoppers or giant lilies?

You don't have to wait for spring. If you do the work with your own hands, warm winter days are much more pleasant than hot late spring days. And if you plan to hire a nursery or landscaping company, they will be open for a month in the spring. If you're considering a full rural makeover, act now, as landscapers' and installers' schedules are rapidly shrinking as spring approaches.

prunes

January-February is also the time for regular pruning before spring growth begins. Exceptions are spring-flowering plants such as azaleas, loropetales and spirea. Set aside pruning until spring bloom. But evergreen shrubs, fruit trees and vines, myrtles and roses are just some of the plants that should be pruned before spring growth begins.

When pruning crab myrtle, remove any crossed, rubbed, or misplaced branches. In general, if you don't cut off the tops or ends of the branches, you'll have a prettier plant in the future, and it'll be much easier to manage.

Let the myrtle crab grow in its natural tree form. Prune only to remove branches that are too short. If your crab myrtle is too tall for the garden, consider replacing it with a variety that won't grow too tall instead of constantly trying to cut it back. There are varieties of crepe myrtle in all sizes.

Update cover

If the mulch around trees and shrubs is thinning, take the time to replenish it. This work is much more pleasant in cool weather and will help delay the emergence of weeds in the spring. The old coating does not need to be removed. Just add

The simplest and easiest to work with pine is pine straw. If you have fallen leaves or needles, you can pile them with a lawn mower and use them as mulch. Cover with fresh pine straw to improve appearance and prevent leaves from blowing away.

seasonal color

Now you can add seasonal color to your garden with annuals like pansies, violas, snapdragons, daisies, nemesias and petunias. Visit your local nursery to select these and other cool season blooms. Remember to fertilize lightly every 4-6 weeks to maintain good growth.

Vegetables and fruit trees

Fresh food plants such as arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, scallions, carrots, kale, cauliflower, collard greens, collard greens, collard greens, lettuce , mustard, radishes, spinach, chard, celery, potatoes and peas can also be planted in locations that receive sufficient sunlight. Plant tender fruit trees and vines such as pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, persimmons, figs, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, pecans, chestnuts, mayonnaise and papaya.

Take advantage of our mild North Florida winter to get your garden ready for spring. Plant, trim, mulch, plan and enjoy winter flowers and harvest fresh seasonal vegetables and herbs.

David W. Marshall is Tallahassee Nursery Landscape Consultant and Honorary Development Officer for UF/IFAS Extension Leon County, an equal opportunity organization. For gardening inquiries, please email the management office at AskAMasterGardener@ifas.ufl.edu.

This article originally appeared in Tallahassee Democrat: What to do in your garden in January, February: plant trees and shrubs.