January 2008 Gardening Checklist

Take time in winter to sketch  landscape
plans and order plants and seeds.

© Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

• Repot houseplants as they outgrow current pots. If you see roots when you look at the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, chances are it’s time to transplant.
• Sketch garden plans, including what to grow, spacing, arrangement and number of plants needed.
• Order seeds and plants from mail order catalogs or online retailers as early as possible for best selection.
• Use your hand or a broom to gently brush away any heavy snow that may accumulate on shrubs before it freezes. Heavy snow can weigh down branches, causing them to break or become misshapen.
• Fertilize spring-flowering bulbs as they break ground. Use an all-purpose granular fertilizer according to label directions, or apply a light dusting of compost.