There has been a collective sigh of relief now that the December holiday season has passed. While it was fun seeing the extended family (at least most of them) and indulging in sugar-coated treats, it is time to return to some semblance of normality.
School and work schedules have returned to their pre-holiday routines and seasonally delayed chores await attention. On the benignly neglected domestic task list are jobs in the home landscape.
One word will almost universally appear on homeowners’ assigned chores: mulch. The generic term for raked-up organic material should be considered an asset to be placed in the correct location.
Falling leaves and pine needles are the bane of many teenagers. It is they who are assigned to rake and bag the material with the intent of keeping the dormant turf grass alive until mowing is required.
Hollies, which will not be negatively affected by January pruning, are a good candidate for shaping this month. Also they benefit from the application of mulch.
In too many cases the debris is left on the side of the road for pickup and transportation to the local dump. A much better use of this resource, and the county’s funds, is to use this material for mulch in flowerbeds, tree borders, and even vegetable gardens.
Much like the human residents of panhandle Florida, the plants need a little extra insulation during the frosty mornings of winter and early spring. Properly placed mulch which has been removed from the turf is the most environmentally and economically efficient way to provide the needed padding.
There are other benefits which can be attributed to mulching, one being improving water holding capacity. While lack of water is not currently a problem, mulch will prove helpful when the weather dries out.
Another big plus, especially for those who live in the southern half of north Florida, is that leaf and needle mulch helps to acidify the soil, lowering its pH. A high or alkaline pH creates problems for most landscape and vegetable plants common in north Florida.
Lastly, the mulch adds nutrients to the soil as it deteriorates. The break-down process is aided by earthworms and bacteria, which both convert the debris to a usable form for the plants.
Another long awaited January task is pruning deciduous fruit trees. The dormant period is ideal to thin and shape peach, pear and other fruit producers.
To improve shape and form, prune shrubs and trees which do not flower in the spring. This list will include many “foundation” plants, like hollies and junipers, which add color and tone to the home landscape.
It is also an excellent time to install new fruit trees. Planting now will give the roots plenty of time to adjust, establish and grow before drier spring days slow the process.
January is an excellent month to select and plant a camellia. This east Asian native is currently flowering, so color selection is simplified.
Crepe myrtles, another east Asian import, are currently dormant and can be easily installed or transplanted. It is also a good time to give them an annual maintenance cleanup by removing seed pods, crossing branches and small twiggy growth to improve the appearance and form.
In the home vegetable garden cool season crops are ready to harvest and replant. Broccoli, kale, collards, carrots and others should be providing a healthy bounty for the dinner table.
The January return to normal has a little work associated with it, but at least there is no need to worry if the right gift was given. Gifts from the home garden will be arriving in a few months and will continue to give for years to come.
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