Ideas for garden resolutions If you need additional motivation to have garden resolutions in 2024, keep in mind that even light gardening and yard work can burn around 300 calories an hour and requires just a commute to your backyard to workout. Gardening also is great for managing stress and improving mental health.
January is an ideal time to plan how to maximize rain and water in your yard year-round, Stein said. Planning ahead can reduce the impact of drought and help protect plants in case of water restrictions during the dog days of summer.
“A big challenge in Texas is when we get rain, we often get too much at the same time and a lot of it goes to waste,” he said.
Resolve to catch water. Although a more elaborate water catchment system can make the most out of the moisture your home receives, even a 5-gallon bucket placed at a gutter’s downspout or a dripline can make a big difference in a garden.
Plant what will grow in Texas. Texas Superstar plants are designed to use less water and thrive in the conditions found across the state.
Don’t grow plants or trees too close together. They will compete for resources including nutrients and water. Trees should have canopies that can provide full shade from the direct sun. Smaller or incomplete canopies are typically an indication your trees are too close together. Don’t be afraid to remove established plants to help others thrive.
Watch out for changing weather Despite the mild winter, gardeners need to be wary of sudden and extreme changes in temperatures, as this is when landscape plants that cannot be sheltered are the most vulnerable.
“So, if it is 85 degrees one day and predicted to be 18 degrees the following morning, that can be a challenge for plants,” he said. “Make sure plants are well-watered going into such an event.”
Transplant dormant plants Now is an excellent time to transplant trees and shrubs while they are dormant. When buying plants, the biggest is not always the best, especially when dealing with bareroot plants. The mediumto- small sizes, around 4-6 feet, are usually faster to become established and more effective in the landscape than the large sizes.
Pick out your vegetables and flowers for spring Make flower and vegetable garden plans now before the rush of spring planting. Not only will early planning pay off in improved plant selection, but it is also a fun way to spend a winter day paging through garden catalogs and books.
You can begin sowing seeds in flats or containers to get a jump on plant growth before hot weather arrives. Warm-temperature plants such as tomatoes, peppers, marigolds and periwinkles should be sown in late January or early February.
Also, you can prepare beds and garden areas for spring planting. Till in several inches of compost.
Check narrow-leaf evergreens for pests Check junipers and other narrow-leaf evergreens for bagworm pouches. The insect eggs overwinter in the pouch and start the cycle again by emerging in the spring to begin feeding on the foliage. Hand removal and burning of the pouches reduce future damage.
Know when to cut back, prune Hold off on pruning bush roses and grapes until mid-February or early March in northern parts of the state.