By Hank Smith | March 2005
Winter
Garden Vegetables and Fruits
Remove grass and weeds from gardens so they don’t become a haven for insect eggs and diseases.
Till garden soil to expose wintering insects and eggs to killing temperatures.
Continue to apply compost and other organic materials to vegetable and flower garden sites. Spade in 3–4 inches to prepare the soil for spring plantings.
Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs planted now usually have time to become established before spring’s warm weather arrives.
A tree with a 2-inch diameter trunk can easily outgrow a larger tree because it will transition faster and is less likely to go into transition shock when planted.
When rainfall is scant, continue to water trees and shrubs. Plants need water even when temperatures are low. More shrubs are killed in winter by lack of water than by low temperatures.
Choose dwarf trees and shrubs to allow closer spacing. For instance, instead of planting full-size southern magnolia, try a selection that will grow to only 30 feet, such as little gem or Bracken’s brown beauty.
Flowers
Complete planting of spring-flowering bulbs. Caladiums and gladioli are outstanding plants in this group.
Pansies display vibrant colors, with shades of blue, deep purple, wine red, maroon and yellow. Plants flower from fall through late spring.
Increase stock of perennials by digging/dividing/resetting these: chrysanthemums, daylily, Shasta daisy, aster, coreopsis and gaillardia.
Lawn
While weather is still cool, plant shade-tolerant groundcover to carpet areas where growing grass is a problem, like underneath shade trees. Some suggestions for shade-tolerant groundcover are: vincas, ajugas, liriope, pachysandra or English ivy.
A mowing strip between shrubbery beds and lawn areas will reduce maintenance time.
Indoors
When using house plants for indoor interest during cold months group those with similar light requirements.
Leaves of houseplants should be gently washed with warm water at least twice a month to remove dust.
In terms of cost, beauty, ease and durability, bromeliads make great house plants and reward the grower with pretty blooms and foliage.
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