The Almanac
Average temperature: High 72, Low 50 | Florida Arbor Day is Jan. 16
Rainfall: 2.43 inches
1. Moon phases
Full moon: Jan. 3
Last quarter: Jan. 10
New moon: Jan. 18
First quarter: Jan. 25
2. Moon sign planting dates
Above-ground crops: 2, 3, 21, 22, 26, 27, 30, 31
Below-ground crops: 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18
Control weeds and pests: 1, 19, 20, 28, 29
Prune trees and shrubs: 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 23, 24, 25
Time to plant
3. Flowers: Alyssum, baby’s breath, calendula, California poppy, cleome, candytuft, carnation, delphinium, dianthus, dusty miller, foxglove, gaillardia, geranium, godetia, hollyhock, Iceland poppy, lobelia, nasturtium, ornamental cabbage and kale, pansy, petunia, shasta daisy, statice, stock and sweet pea
4. Vegetables: Asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, collards, endive, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onion sets, peas, potatoes, radicchio, radishes, roquette, rutabagas, spinach, Swiss chard and turnips. Start seeds of tomato, pepper and eggplant for transplants at midmonth.
5. Herbs: Anise, bay laurel, cardamom, chives, coriander, fennel, garlic, ginger, lavender, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, thyme and watercress
6. Bulbs: African iris, Asiatic lilies, amaryllis, blood lilies, bulbine, crinum, day lilies, Louisiana iris, society garlic, spider lilies, rain lilies, refrigerated Dutch iris, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths for forcing.
Lawn care
7. Rains have been variable with many dry areas; water as permitted to keep turf moist.
8. Mow lawns as needed to maintain a uniform height and control weeds.
9. Keep mower blade height at the proper level for your turf; do not change for winter.
10. Cool season weeds are making good growth; liquid lawn herbicides may be used to control.
11. St. Augustine lawns can continue good growth during the winter; give normal care.
12. Feeding time is over until late winter for lawns.
13. Try regreening yellow lawns with an iron or minor nutrient application if needed.
14. Many warm season weeds have turned brown; remove and resod these areas.
15. Fill in bare spots with sod or plugs; delay seeding of permanent grass until spring.
16. Ryegrass can be seeded to temporarily regreen brown turf or fill bare areas.
17. Spot kill patches of persistent winter weeds with a selective herbicide for your lawn type.
18. Some lawns have large or brown patch disease; apply a fungicide to prevent further damage.
19. Limit turf to what’s needed for family play and enjoyment.
20. Turn sprinklers off prior to freezing weather.
21. Perform annual maintenance on lawn care equipment.
Landscape chores
22. Florida Arbor Day occurs this month: Add hardy trees, shrubs and vines to the landscape.
23. Make sure root balls are moist at planting time: Add a berm to direct water through root balls.
24. Winter through spring is our dry time; renew mulch layers to conserve moisture.
25. Leaves are falling from trees and shrubs; use as mulch or add to the compost pile.
26. January is a good time to begin yearly pruning of trees and shrubs.
27. Trim dead or declining portions from trees and shrubs.
28. Schedule major tree trimming now to be ready for severe 2026 weather.
29. Crape myrtle grooming can begin this month; remove only the seed heads and small twigs.
30. Remove dead fronds and old seed heads from palms but keep the good green leaves.
31. Keep actively growing plants moist to remain green and attractive.
32. Once a week watering or less is usually adequate for established deep-rooted plants.
33. Replant declining flower beds and planters with hardy cool season selections.
34. Container gardens are a good way to enjoy plants in the landscape.
35. Add hanging baskets of color where they can be easily seen.
36. Feed container gardens weekly if needed for growth and in-ground annual plantings monthly.
37. Groom landscapes by edging beds and walkways.
38. Divide and replant perennials.
39. Learn what plants need winter protection; many benefit from the cold.
40. Only protect cold sensitive plants from frosts and freezes.
41. Thick fabric covers secured to the ground are the best cold protections.
42. Move frost and freeze sensitive container plants to a warm location when cold is expected.
43. Turn off automatic irrigation systems during freezing weather.
44. Install micro-sprinklers to conserve water and water only where needed.
45. Catch and store rainwater to use with container and landscape plantings.
46. Reduce landscape maintenance by planting fewer annuals and more perennials.
47. Groom hanging baskets and planters by removing old flowers and lanky stems.
48. Protect orchids and tropical foliage plants from temperatures below 45 degrees.
49. Test soil acidity in azalea, camellia, philodendron and ixora plantings and adjust if needed.
50. Turn cut Christmas trees into wildlife feeders or mulch for the landscape.
51. Now is the time to dig and move trees and shrubs from one area of the landscape to another.
52. Repair gardening equipment.
53. Place birdhouses, feeders and baths in the landscape.
54. Add ornaments including statuary, a gazing ball or a sundial to the landscape.
55. Repair wooden benches and chairs.
Vegetable and fruit gardening
56. Only one month is left for cool season plantings; add seeds or transplants to the garden.
57. Make plantings of potatoes from seed pieces available at garden centers.
58. Feed winter vegetables and herbs every 3 to 4 weeks or use a slow-release fertilizer.
59. Start seeds of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants in early January for March transplants.
60. Prepare spring planting sites by adding lots of organic matter to sandy soils.
61. Encourage pollinators to visit by planting clusters of flowers among vegetables.
62. Save shipping charges: Locate seeds, bulbs and transplants locally.
63. Store saved seeds in the refrigerator in a sealed container until planting time.
64. Add bird netting to strawberry plantings.
65. Caterpillars are common cool season pests; control by handpicking or natural sprays.
66. Harvest herbs and start new plants to have a continual supply.
67. Prune apple, grape, peach, pear and fig plantings.
68. Plant hardy fruit trees, shrubs and vines.
69. An acid soil is needed for blueberry production; have your soil tested before planting.
70. Cloth covers, loose hay and boxes may be needed for winter protection of some crops.
Indoor and foliage plant care
71. Low maintenance cactus & succulents are ideal indoor plants.
72. Christmas and similar cactus can be kept in bright rooms with filtered morning sun.
73. Large container-grown plants can often be divided to produce more for the home.
74. Keep existing plants a lot longer by giving them at least weekly care.
75. Check foliage plants brought indoors from the landscape for pests.
76. Use a mild soapy solution to wash indoor foliage to remove dust and control pests.
77. Trim off yellow leaves and declining flower stalks.
78. Move declining plants into the higher light levels.
79. Water foliage plants when the soil dries to the touch.
80. Move poinsettias and similar holiday plants to the patio to enjoy during warm days.
Tom MacCubbin is an urban horticulturist emeritus with the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Write him: Orlando Sentinel, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL. 32802. Email: TomMac1996@aol.com.
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