January planning

The only established plant blooming in my yard in January is the Rosemary. Although this is not a native plant, it does exceptionally well in Texas. Similar to native plants, it doesn’t need watering when it is established. It never requires fertilizer or spraying. This evergreen plant will get huge and needs trimming. The deer don’t like it because it has a strong scent. It is an excellent spice to flavor your food and it blooms when nothing else is blooming if it gets enough sun. Rosemary will grow in a shady spot, but not bloom.

I cannot help but be amused when I go up North and see people proudly displaying little Rosemary plants in containers. Here in Texas we know how to grow Rosemary! BIG Rosemary!

Garden chores are mainly limited to trimming and preparing the soil in garden beds. Roses, however, should not be trimmed until mid February (think Valentine’s Day). The reason for this is that cutting roses will stimulate growth and new growth is very susceptible to frost. I have known rose bushes to die when the new growth is ruined by hard freezes.

It is also an acceptable time to plant trees. Most years Ladybird Johnson Wildflower center has a native tree sale in January. This year, due to COVID, they have cancelled the event. However, trees are still available in nurseries to plant. As each day gets longer watch for signs of spring.

Written by Jackie Mattice, Hays County Master Naturalist