Horticulturalist Melinda Myers offers tips and suggestions for each month of the year.
Recycle your Christmas tree and evergreens in your landscape. Use a holiday tree as a windbreak and shelter for the birds. Or, prune branches off the tree and use the evergreens for winter mulch.
Enjoy your poinsettias and other holiday plants throughout the winter with proper post holiday care. Move them to a sunny window and continue to water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil slightly moist.
Minimize salt damage to plants by shoveling first, then applying a plant-friendly de-icing salt to walks and driveways.
Monitor plants for animal damage throughout the winter. Make sure fencing is secure and replenish repellents as needed. Use a variety of tactics for the greatest success.
Fungus gnats, often mistaken for fruit flies, are occasionally found flitting throughout the house in the winter months. They don’t hurt your houseplants, but are a nuisance. These insects feed on organic matter in the soil, such as dead plant roots and peat moss. Keep the soil slightly drier than normal to reduce the populations. If the gnats are too annoying, try treating with an environmentally friendly product with the active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis. This particular bacteria only kills the larvae of fungus gnats and mosquitoes. Always read and follow all label directions before applying any product.
Avoid drafts or hot or cold air on your indoor plants. Cold drafts from patio doors and windows can chill the foliage and lead to root rot. Drafts of hot air from heating ducts create lower humidity. The drier air is hard on the plants, but creates a perfect environment for mites and aphids.
