5 minute read
MAGIC OF GARDENING
CULTIVATING A FRESH START: REVITALIZE YOUR GARDEN IN THE NEW YEAR
BY BETHANY O’REAR
As the calendar turns over to a new year, home gardeners across Alabama anticipate the arrival of spring and the opportunity it brings to cultivate a fresh start in their gardens. January through March may seem like an unlikely time for gardening around here, with frosty mornings and shorter days, but this is the ideal moment to lay the groundwork for a vibrant and flourishing garden in the months ahead.
A fresh start in gardening begins with a wellthought-out plan. Take this time to envision your garden's transformation. What worked well last year? What didn't? Perhaps you dream of a large colorful flower bed, a thriving vegetable patch, or a cozy outdoor retreat. Sketch out your ideas, set clear goals, and research new plants or garden layouts to breathe new life into your space. January and February are the months that I begin browsing through my seed collections, making a list of what needs to be ordered. Now is also a good time to go back through any garden journals or notes from the previous growing seasons. Look back through that “garden” photo album on your phone to remember certain milestones and to help plan the next phase.
Healthy soil is the cornerstone of a thriving garden and January is an excellent time to assess your soil's condition. Perform a soil test to determine its pH and nutrient levels. A composite sample is a collection of 15 to 20 uniform cores or slices of soil taken from random spots in a garden, lawn, or shrub bed. For an accurate test, place the samples from a given area into a clean bucket. Then mix this soil well and place about 1 pint of the mixture into a soil sample box or bag. Soil sample boxes/bags, information sheets, and other supplies for soil testing are available from your county Extension office. Results from the test kit will reveal nutrient levels in the soil and make recommendations related to fertility, depending on the particular plant or crop that you plan to grow. Healthy soil not only supports plant growth but also helps reduce disease and pest issues down the road.
Before the growing season kicks into high gear, it is essential to tidy up your garden. Prune overgrown shrubs and trees, removing dead or damaged branches. This not only improves the appearance of your garden but also promotes healthier growth. Clear away fallen leaves, debris, and weeds that may have taken root during winter. A clean slate in your garden ensures that plants have space, light, and resources to thrive. Investing in your garden infrastructure can also make a significant difference. Consider installing irrigation systems, adding raised beds, or building trellises for climbing plants. Upgrading your garden's infrastructure in the “off-season” ensures it is ready to support your plants when spring arrives. Late February (after the threat of severe frosts) is a good time to prune your roses. Remove any dead or injured canes and any suckers (branches growing from below the graft). Keep the three to five strongest canes but cut them back by about a third, making sure each cane has at least one outward-facing bud.
Contrary to trendy belief, January through March in Alabama still offers plenty of opportunities to get some seeds into the soil. Hardy vegetables and root crops can be started from seed this time of year (garden peas, radishes, mustard, spinach, turnips). Transplants can be added to your garden this time of year as well—broccoli, celery, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce transplants and onion sets. Plant asparagus in late January. Irish potatoes and beets can be planted in February.
If you find yourself spending a lot of time in the warmth of your house, don’t forget those indoor plants! Keep an eye out for signs of houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects. If tackled before they get out of hand, soft chemical methods, and in some cases even non-chemical methods, are usually successful—a simple shower, insecticidal soap spray (as directed on label), or with the most tenacious (like mealybugs) sometimes an alcohol swab and Q-tip will do the trick.
Finally, remember that gardening is an exercise in patience and mindfulness. A fresh start in the garden is not about immediate gratification but about nurturing the journey and enjoying the process. Be mindful of the seasonal rhythms, savor the small victories, and embrace the inevitable setbacks as opportunities for growth.
As you embark on your gardening journey in this new year, take heart in the promise of renewal that a fresh start brings. With careful planning, thoughtful care, and a touch of patience, your garden will transform into a vibrant and thriving oasis, ready to greet the warmer months with an explosion of color and life. So, bundle up, grab your garden tools, and let the magic of a fresh start inspire your gardening adventures in this new year and beyond!
