subject: Taking Care Of Your Lawn During January [print this page] In January, it may not seem like there is very much yard work to do. However, there is actually quite a bit of preparatory yard work you can do to prepare for a beautiful yard when spring arrives.
As you have probably been doing throughout most of the winter, you will keep an eye on any young plants you have and try to keep them from getting too cold. Even though winter technically began in the last year of November or December and it seems like spring may be on its way, the months of January and February tend to be colder as they are still the center of the winter season.
If young plants are allowed to suffer through 20 degree or lower temperatures, it is very likely that they will die. Try to watch the weather report and when it looks like temperatures may drop below freezing you will want to cover your young plants with plastic or other insulating materials.
This will protect them from the wind, but they should still receive as much winter sunlight as possible. Completely blocking out the light could also kill your plants, unless you are trying to protect bulbs or perennials.
Putting insulation of some sort over beds of bulbs and perennials can also help them survive in the winter so that they will bloom beautifully in the spring. Protecting your plants from the wind can protect them from a majority of the cold they would otherwise experience.
Mulch, straw, and other materials can act as insulation on the ground for the roots and plants below ground. If you have potted plants, it is a very good idea to bring them inside for a while or to place them in a green house.
Even under the house can help prevent their death and protect them from the cold and other severe weather elements. Many people think that it is easier to purchase a new plant the next year rather than trying to protect a certain plant through the winter.
In some cases, this may be true. However in other cases it is not actually that difficult to protect and provide for you plant through the winter.
Another activity that may be even more fun during this period of bleak weather and relatively little to do outside is planning your yard for the upcoming year. Most likely there are plants that are going to need to be replaced.
You can even start stocking up on the seeds you want or planting seedlings to start growing in pots in the house that will be transposed to your gardens in the spring. Planning a beautiful garden can brighten your day significantly during the winter season.
Another thing that you will probably want to do is protect your landscape plants from losing too much moisture. These plants are usually bigger and more exposed to the wind.
Losing too much moisture is a threat that many plants deal with in areas with abnormally high winds. If this sounds like the area you live in, you may want to spray your landscape plants with an anti-desiccant spray.
This protective coating should help the plant retain its moisture even during high wind storms. As a result, it will be much healthier when spring arrives.
Another thing that can help protect your plants are dormant oils. Dormant oils are substances that you can apply to your plants that aid in insect control.
During the winter you may not have to deal with too many problem insects, but an application of dormant oils can protect your plants when the insects begin multiplying and raiding in the spring. This is a mild form of insect control compared to others, but it can be very effective and it is a good form of insect control to apply in the winter.
Dormant oils work by coating certain insects in a substance that will smother them. These oils are effective against some insects that are not normally affected by other pesticides because they have thick shells.
However, not many insects that dormant oil is designed for can escape being smothered. It is important to be aware of the threats to your plants throughout the entire year.
During this time you want to build up your plants so that they are strong when spring comes. This will allow them to produce brighter colors and to look more beautiful throughout their prime season.
The care and time you put into your yard now will be worth it. However, you must put some time and effort into creating a beautiful yard.
