Breaking ground

THIS MONTH

Pay attention to the weather.

If a hard freeze is predicted, make sure there is ample water in the ground. Particularly sensitive plants are those in containers, newly planted trees and shrubs, and winter annuals and vegetables.

On a mild day, fertilize winter annuals including pansies, violas, flowering kale and cabbage.

If you are growing winter vegetables, a light application of fertilizer on a mild day can also keep them growing.

Some trees held their leaves longer this season, so leaves are still falling. Rake and compost when you have time.

Plant any spring-blooming bulbs that you haven’t already planted.

Don’t be alarmed if you see older bulbs beginning to grow.

Some early varieties begin to bloom in February (and in some years, late January), so foliage should be emerging soon.

If you see green in your dormant lawn, it doesn’t mean your grass is growing, but it does mean winter weeds are. You can spray with a weed killer on a mild, calm day, but if you just have a few clumps of wild onions, you could dig them.

Mowing also can keep annual winter weeds from blooming and setting seeds but mowing would help wild onion and wild garlic multiply, so beware.

Take stock of how well your garden grew last year and make plans for this year. The difference between a good garden and a great garden is often planning.

Take inventory of shrubs and flower beds. What season is lacking color? What vegetables did well and which struggled? What varieties do you like? Research your options and plot your garden on paper so you can be ready for planting in the spring.

JANUARY LESSON

Transplanting trees and shrubs from one part of the yard to another can be done throughout the year, but it will be easier on a plant if it is moved while it is dormant. Why is that?

Rarely does the soil in Arkansas freeze much below the surface, so a plant’s root system can grow even in the winter. Since the roots aren’t responsible for passing food and water up the trunk to put on new leaves right now, the roots can get re-established before the plant needs those resources for leaves, thus we have less transplant shock.

The best time to move a plant depends on its winter hardiness. Cold-tolerant trees and shrubs can be moved from November through March, and the earlier they are transplanted the stronger the root system will be before spring.

Plants that struggle in cold winters - including hydrangeas, azaleas, gardenias, crape myrtles and the like - should be moved as the dormant season is ending. Typically that’s late February through March.

Azaleas have a shallow root system, so you could wait until they finish blooming to move them.

You will not be able to save every root during transplanting, but the key is to make clean cuts through the roots as you are digging the root ball. Disturb as little as possible.

Dig your hole before you take up the plant, and try to get the root ball back in the ground as quickly as possible.

If you are transporting the plant any distance, it would be wise to wrap or protect the roots while they are above ground - especially on a cold day. Roots are normally protected by soil, and if they’re exposed to drying winds or extremely low temperatures, they can be damaged.

Replant at the same depth they are currently growing or slightly more shallow. Then water and mulch, and the plant should be good to go next spring.

Don’t use any fertilizer while transplanting. Wait for the growing season to begin before fertilizing.

Janet Carson is a horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Write to her at 2301 S. University Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72204 or email her at

jcarson@arkansasonline.com

HomeStyle, Pages 33 on 01/04/2014

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