The holidays are over, and it’s back to reality with the start of a new year! There’s not much you need to be doing in your garden at this time, so relax—spring is coming sooner than you realize.

Camellias

Not much is blooming in your southern garden in January except camellias! The Queen of Ornamental Shrubs begins to show her beauty in winter, with many mid-season flowers starting to open. With a little luck from Mother Nature, extremely cold temperatures won’t occur too often, allowing you to enjoy those beautiful blooms. It’s important to plan for frost or freezes by covering plants when needed and making sure they are well hydrated.

The best time to purchase and plant camellias is when they are in bloom. Our biggest selection at Blackcreek Nursery is between October and March, with our heaviest sales in January and February. If you’re looking for a great selection, don’t wait until spring, when most varieties will be out of stock. We’d love to have you visit! Camellia grafting is done in February, so now is the time to start thinking about what you’d like to graft and to gather your supplies.

Freezes & Damaged Plants — Wait to Prune

If you experience a cold snap that damages your plants, we don’t suggest pruning right away. Others may disagree, but this is the practice we use in our own garden, and it has proven beneficial. Leaving damaged plant material in place can help protect lower portions of the plant from subsequent freezes. Once you’re confident that severe cold has passed, you can prune safely.

Hydration to Protect Plants

Make sure your plants remain well hydrated through January. Freezing temperatures can cause more damage to extremely dry plants than to those that are adequately watered. Try to water at least a day or two before a forecasted freeze.

Covering Plants

In cold weather, covering plants is often recommended. Coverings help keep frost off tender foliage and may prevent cold burn. Plastic can be used, but only if there is a barrier between the plastic and the plant. Plastic touching foliage can actually cause damage. We recommend placing a lightweight sheet over the plant first, then adding plastic on top.

Frost blankets are also a worthwhile investment. These lightweight fiber blankets come in various weights—the heavier the blanket, the more protection it provides. You can expect anywhere from a 3–8° difference when using frost blankets. They are widely available online and can be reused year after year.

Fertilizing

It’s still too early to fertilize outdoor plants with traditional granular fertilizers. Hold off until March before reaching for the fertilizer bag. Fertilizing too early can encourage new growth, which is likely to be damaged during the next inevitable freeze. There’s nothing wrong with using organic fertilizers—such as Espoma products like Holly-tone, Berry-tone, or Plant-tone—during January, just use them sparingly.

Planting

There’s nothing wrong with planting in the South during January, as long as you’re choosing cold-tolerant plants. It’s too early for most perennials and annuals, but dormant shrubs, trees, and some cold-tolerant evergreens can be planted now. Just take precautions in the event of a freeze, especially for newly planted material.

Keep this in mind: plants in nurseries are grown in containers above ground and are not protected from cold soil temperatures. When you plant in the ground, you gain the added benefit of the soil acting as an incubator, helping to moderate temperature and protect roots.

MULCH, MULCH, MULCH

Mulching is one of the most neglected tasks in gardening—and it’s not just for looks. Mulch helps suppress weeds, reducing the need for chemicals. It also protects plants from water loss, heat stress, and cold damage. Most importantly, mulch provides valuable nutrients as it breaks down.

Avoid rocks or synthetic mulches, as they offer no benefit to plants and can actually make conditions worse. Mulch now, before spring weeds set in. A 2–3″ layer of leaves, straw, or bark is ideal for providing these benefits.

Remove, Discard, and Relocate

Winter is the perfect time in the South to remove unwanted plants or relocate others. Shrubs and trees, in particular, respond very well to moving while dormant. Dormancy reduces stress and allows plants to establish before summer heat arrives.

Planning Spring Tasks

Now is the time to plan what you want to do in your garden this spring. From seed starting to equipment maintenance and irrigation adjustments, tackling these tasks now will help you stay ahead once the growing season begins.

• Make a list of new plants for the garden

• Start your indoor spring vegetables

• Make repairs or changes to your irrigation system

• Maintain your equipment

• Review your fertilizer inventory to ensure everything is ready for spring planting

• Evaluate pest control needs and choose options that protect the environment and pollinators