January Gardening Calendar

A bird, a Ficus houseplant, a landscape drawing, pansies and pink flowers.

Here are some tips for Bay Area gardeners to focus on during January, which is an excellent time to prepare for the upcoming growing season while taking advantage of the mild winter climate:

1. PruningPruners trimming branches

  • Fruit Trees: Prune deciduous fruit trees like apples, pears, and plums to shape them and encourage healthy fruit production.
  • Roses: January is the perfect time to prune Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Grandiflora, and Climbing Roses to remove dead wood and shape the plants.
  • Perennials: Cut back dormant perennials like ornamental grasses and spent flowers.

2. Plantingwild lilac ceanothus california native

  • Bare-Root Plants: Plant bare-root roses, fruit trees, berries, and other deciduous shrubs while they’re still dormant.
  • Cool-Season Vegetables: Direct-sow or transplant broccoli, kale, lettuce, peas, and other cool-weather crops.
  • Native Plants: January is ideal for planting California natives like ceanothus and manzanita to take advantage of winter rains.

3. Soil Preparationcover crops crimson clover

  • Amend Soil: Add compost, well-rotted manure, or organic matter to garden beds to improve soil structure and fertility for spring planting.
  • Cover Crops: Chop down cover crops like fava beans and mix them into the soil as a green manure.

4. Maintenance

  • Mulching: Add a layer of mulch to suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and regulate soil temperature.
  • Pest Control: Inspect plants for overwintering pests like aphids or scale and take action, such as pruning affected areas or applying dormant oil spray.
  • Irrigation: Check and adjust irrigation systems, ensuring they are off or reduced during the rainy season.

5. Lawn Care

  • Overseed Bare Spots: If your lawn has thin or bare patches, overseed with cool-season grasses like fescue.
  • Aerate: If soil is compacted, aerate your lawn to improve drainage and oxygen flow.

6. Garden Cleanupweeding

  • Weeding: Remove winter weeds before they set seeds.
  • Clean Tools: Sharpen and clean gardening tools to prepare for spring tasks.
  • Compost: Add garden debris like leaves and prunings to your compost pile.

7. Planning

  • Procure Seeds: Plan and order seeds for spring planting, focusing on vegetables, herbs, and flowers that thrive in the Bay Area.
  • Sketch Garden Plans: Use the quiet month to map out your garden layout and consider new plantings or redesigns.

8. Wildlife SupportTwo birds sitting on a bird feeder full of bird seed

  • Bird Feeders: Keep feeders clean and filled with seed to attract winter birds, and ensure a fresh water source is available.
  • Plant for Pollinators: Include early-blooming plants like hellebores and ceanothus to support pollinators as they emerge.

By tackling these tasks in January, you’ll set your Bay Area garden up for a productive and beautiful year ahead!

Contact your local SummerWinds Nursery to learn more. 

At SummerWinds, We Guarantee Success!