January and February can bring rain, wind flooding and colder temperatures to our gardens. Now is a good time to clean up, make repairs and do some preventive maintenance.
Fill up your compost heap with leaves and branches that need to be removed from trees, dead flowers and foliage of yellowing bulbs.
Make cuts to repair storm damage on shrubs and trees, then prune.
Make sure hanging pots and baskets, wall-mounted fountains and terra-cotta ornaments are secure.
Add a water-proofing coat of silicon around all nail and hook holes.
Clean out gutters and downspouts with a soft bristle hand brush.
Extend drainage pipes to move water away from foundations or poorly drained garden beds.
Consider improving drainage where freestanding water froms after the rains.
Clean up frost damage to tropical plants by trimming away dead foliage. For broad-leafed plants, leave some of the front stem on the stock. For smaller-leafed shrubs trim away dead branches, but don’t prune to repair or improve shape.
Rake your lawn to get rid of dead growth and any stray leaves or other debris. Reseed damaged patches of lawn.
Pull weeds now while their roots are still shallow.
