In January, gardeners can focus on preparing their tools and planning for the upcoming growing season. It’s also a good time to protect plants from frost and consider starting indoor seeds for an early spring harvest.

Plant Doctor Quips

Our Pyramid Way plant doctor, Nick Macaluso explains, “Although your outdoor plants do not require a lot of attention in January, the occasional hand watering may be necessary. This pertains to all of the plants in your landscape but new plants especially. New plants do not have an established enough root system to handle a winter drought. This is why it is so important to water your plants if we experience a three to four week period with no precipitation in the winter. Filling up a five gallon bucket and pouring it around the drip line of the plant is a great way to water them. The drip line refers to the edge of the canopy, this is where all of the water and nutrient absorbing root hairs reside. All of your plants would be thankful for a little drink in the winter.“

Our South Virginia Plant Doctor, Steve Packer says, “In January there is not much to do outside in the garden so I recommend turning your focus to your indoor houseplants. Keep an eye out for mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. If tackled before they get out of hand, non chemical methods are usually successful: a simple shower of lukewarm water to wash away insects, or spray insecticidal soap or neem oil for safe and effective control. Also keep in mind that overwatering is the biggest risk to houseplants in winter, so go easy. Fertilizing houseplants in the winter is generally unnecessary, as most houseplants experience a natural period of slower growth during the cooler, darker months.”

Our South Virginia Plant Doctor, Jeni Lowery says, “For the new year, it’s nice to have a new beginning with a lovely indoor plant. I always recommend waiting at least 10 days to 2 weeks to re-pot, the newbie uses energy to acclimate to the new environment and doing that plus transplant shock can be overly stressful. The plant probably won’t fail, but may look sad and then plant parents are sad. You can set the nursery pot inside the pretty pot during that time. Also, be conscious of using the proper soil for your plant. Any succulents, dracaenas, palms or citrus want well draining soil like our Palm, Citrus & Cactus Mix. Plants that relish more constant moisture will be happier in our E.B Stone Potting Mix or the Blue Ribbon. Personally, I also use Superthrive and some Starter Fertilizer when I repot. Come in and check out our deals on indoor plants!”

Bird Nerd, Annemarie Tillotson explains, “While many people would struggle to wake up at sunrise, early morning is critical for our local bird populations. Keeping warm during winter nights takes a lot of energy, so feeders and birdbaths may experience drastically higher activity after sunrise. As is the nature of winter, many birdbaths may freeze overnight, so be sure to break any ice or install a birdbath heater to keep water fresh for any parched early birds. For those with lingering hummingbirds, be sure to replace nectar frequently and watch out for icy feeders.“

Our Moana Lane Plant Doctor, Rob Bouck explains, “As the northern Nevada winter sets in, all but eliminating outdoor gardening tasks, January is a great time to evaluate your gardening tools. A coarse brush can scrape off most dirt, followed by a wipe with a dry rag. Sharp tools cut cleanly, which helps plants heal and reduces the risk of disease. A mill file will sharpen most garden tools; a whetstone is great for pruners. A quick wipe down of blades with an oiled rag (motor or vegetable oil) after cleaning will ensure your garden tools will be ready when needed in the new green season. Have some of your garden tools outlived their usefulness? Visit one of our three Moana Nursery locations to check out our supply for all of your gardening needs.“

January
Moana Nursery High Desert Gardening
Timely Tips

  • Now is a great time to begin re-designing and budgeting for garden improvements. Get out ahead of the spring rush and schedule an appointment with one of Moana’s on-site Plant Doctors.
  • Regularly check plants for signs of damage from ice, snow, wind or animals and lack of winter water. If the soil has heaved plants out of the ground, push the soil back over the roots and apply a three-inch layer of mulch, leaving a three-inch clearing around the base of the plant to prevent rodents like voles from feeding at the base of the plant.
  • Mulch perennial beds and roses with 2-4 inches of G&B Organics Soil Building Conditioner if not yet done.
  • Plan for this year’s vegetable and fruit crop. Examine your garden notes to see which plants produced best for you. Check for fruit tree availability with Moana Nursery teammates know to find out if certain varieties will be available in spring.
  • Avoid using salt-based, de-icing products in or around garden areas for snow removal. Moana recommends Sierra Blue Snow & Ice Melter which is friendly to the environment, pets and plants.
  • Distribute snow loads on both shrubs and garden beds when clearing driveways or shoveling walks.
  • Remove any broken or fallen branches from the yard. Re-tie any vines that might have been torn from their supports.
  • Apply Bonide All Seasons Horticultural and Dormant Oil Spray to trees and shrubs to prevent insects. Use according to directions for the correct dormant spray rate.
  • Selectively prune branches from spring blooming flowering trees and shrubs later this month and bring them indoors to force blooming. Choose branches with plenty of fat flower buds. Cut branches at least 1 foot long when temperature is above freezing. Lay them in a bathtub filled with room-temperature water overnight. Arrange them in a bucket or vase and keep them in a 60-degree room out of direct sunlight; changing water every other day. When buds swell or color up, make final arrangements and bring into a cool room, out of direct sun. Good choices include forsythia, crabapple, flowering quince, serviceberry, magnolia, apple, flowering pear & cherry, spring-flowering witch hazel and redbud.
  • Water existing trees and shrubs, especially evergreens when there has been little to no precipitation for three weeks and there is a thaw.
  • Light pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs can be done this month. Wait until late winter or very early spring before buds break to do heavy pruning.  Immediately prune back any branches damaged by snow and ice.
  • Remove heavy snow loads from evergreen branches by gently sweeping snow off with a broom. If branches have been anchored to the ground, gently lift them from underneath with a broom. Avoid beating tree branches with any heavy tools.  
  • Allow any ice that accumulates on tree branches to melt. Cracking ice with heavy objects should be avoided.

Pottery:

  • Always use pots with drainage holes.
  • Do not block, plug, or otherwise obstruct drainage holes.
  • Be sure to use a premium potting soil to ensure proper drainage; we recommend G&B Organics Blue Ribbon Blend Premium Potting Soil.
  • Do not attempt to move pots that are frozen to the ground.
  • Remove saucers during winter to ensure complete drainage.
  • Do not allow standing water to freeze inside pots.
  • Cover pots that are not in use — please note that pots which are planted with bulbs count as “in use.”
  • Although they are not required, using pot feet will further enhance drainage.

 Fountains:

  • Completely drain and remove pump.
  • Place absorbent material in fountain such as burlap or towels.
  • Either move fountain into garage or other protected area or cover empty dried fountain so that no water can accumulate and freeze.
  • Moisture underneath the fountain can cause damage as it will freeze from below. Make sure fountain is covered to ensure no moisture can accumulate under the fountain (such as run off from melting snow).
  • Most houseplants require less water and much less, if any, fertilizer, because they slow their growth during their semi-dormant winter period. Violets and orchids are the exceptions.
  • Monitor houseplants for insect problems that often occur when plants become stressed due to insufficient light, overheated rooms or improper watering and fertilizing techniques. Isolate new houseplants or gift plants before adding to your existing plants. Pests to look for include spider mites, thrips, scale, mealybugs, whitefly and fungus gnats. Moana recommends Hi-Yield Systemic Insect Granules, Bonide Neem Oil or Insecticidal Soap; use according to their labels.
  • Start seeds for early spring annuals requiring a long lead time before being set out in the garden.
  • Now is a good time to start a new hobby that the whole family can enjoy — Backyard Bird Feeding.  We have all you need to get started – from expert advice to the freshest birdseed in town. Visit our Wild Birds Unlimited Stores located inside each Moana Nursery Garden Center.  The next GBBC (Great Backyard Bird Count) is February 14 –17, 2025.  Bird watchers of all ages count birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are. Click here for more details: https://www.birdcount.org/
  • Be consistent and keep bird feeders full through the winter. Birds grow accustomed to your feeders especially in severe weather when the snacks you offer may mean their very survival.  If you leave home for an extended period, a combination of seed cylinders and seed blocks can feed the birds in your absence or try to have a neighbor or friend keep the feeders going.
  • After every recent snow, stamp down the snow below feeders. Ground-feeding birds such as dark-eyed juncos, doves and many sparrows will be able to gather up the seeds that drop from the feeders.
  • Install a clear plastic weather dome to protect tube feeders from rain and snow.
  • Put out suet or no-melt suet dough (if the feeder is in the sun) and mealworms to attract insect-eating birds like flickers, woodpeckers and nuthatches.
  • Provide birds with a supply of high fat seed like Nyjer, Peanuts, Black Oil Sunflower Seeds and Finch Blend to help them stay warm. This is essential when there is a heavy snowfall and/or extreme cold.
  • Continue to supply fresh water in a heated bird bath or add a de-icer to a frost-proof bird bath to ensure a steady supply of water. To prevent the chance of disease, clean birdbath weekly with a weak bleach solution (1-part bleach to 9 parts water). Rinse well.
  • Store bird food in a sealed container and keep in a cool dry place to prevent spoilage.
  • Install a customized Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeding station where you can easily enjoy the birds it attracts.  It can be installed in the ground or on a deck.
  • Early bulbs, especially those planted with a southern exposure or close to a house, might sprout prematurely. The first greenery to show is foliage with flower buds emerging much later. Cold weather might damage the edges of the foliage, but unless the flower bud has appeared, it will not affect the future flowering or health of the bulb.
  • A few of the small early bulbs – winter aconite, snowdrops and glory-of –the-snow can tolerate a bit of frost.
  • Check garden beds to be sure plants have not heaved out of the ground due to freeze-thaw-freeze cycles.  Gently press the crowns of perennials back into the ground; avoid compacting the soil by not stomping heavily around plants. Apply mulch to the root zone and not over the crown of the plant. Moana recommends G&B Organic Soil Building Conditioner.
  • Our Seasonal Color Team can help you with custom containers, annual planting beds or a simple refresh of your existing garden. Schedule a free consultation today!
  • Need help with your indoor plants? Contact our Interior Plant Services team. They can help you design, install, and maintain your indoor plants! Want a WOW plant presentation? Ask about installing a LIVING PLANT WALL! Examples of plant walls are available to see at both our Moana Lane and Pyramid Way locations.
  • Schedule supplemental winter watering for your trees and shrubs by hand or mobile water truck from Landscape Services call 775-825-0602 x104.
  • Our expert Plant Doctors can help you with your high desert gardening;
    • Diagnose disease & insect problems on trees, shrubs & lawns;
    • Identify existing plants in your landscape and how to care for them;
    • Provide plant placement for DIY customers.
    • Stop by any location to ask questions or email plantdoctors@moananursery.com.