January Gardening Tips for Your Houston, Texas Garden

January is the month when many Houston, Texas gardens begin to grow dormant, although you will still see plenty of blooms from your Azaleas, Magnolias, Lantanas, and other plants. January is a great time to begin planning how you would like your Houston, Texas garden to look come spring, and there are many other tasks than can be accomplished now as well. For tips on what you can tackle in your garden during January, see below.

Seeds to plant. There are lots of different seeds that can be sown in January in your Houston, Texas garden, either in flats or in the ground itself. Try these tips for planting the seeds below in either manner.

Forget-me-not. This pretty flower will bloom in pink, blue and white in your Houston, Texas garden. They do best in full to morning sun, and will grow to be about 18 inches high. These annuals will also reseed in your Houston, Texas garden, and survive the winters without any problems. Forget-me-nots are a great choice for container gardens, and will flower from October through May, brightening up your Houston, Texas winter.

Snapdragon. Snapdragons are the perfect choice for your Houston, Texas mixed borders. Plant these seeds in full to partial sun in January, and they will grow to be about three feet tall. Snapdragons flower in colors that include pink, yellow, purple, white and red. They will bloom from October through June in your Houston, Texas garden.

Lobelia. This Texas native will bring hummingbirds to your Houston, Texas garden. Plant these seeds in partial sun in your garden, where they will reach heights of up to three feet. These red flowers are a good choice for mixed borders.

Plants for your garden. In January, these plants can go directly into the ground in your Houston, Texas garden.

Larkspur. Plant Larkspur seedlings in full sun in your Houston, Texas garden in January, and they will bloom from March through June. Larkspur will attract butterflies to your garden, and are also disease resistant. They will grow to be about four feet tall, and blossom in purple, blue, white, lilac and pink.

Viola. The Sorbet Series of Violas love the Houston, Texas heat. Plant the seedlings in January in your garden, in full to partial sun, and they will bloom the following winter. These hard to kill flowers are disease resistant, drought tolerant, and can take the cold down to 25 degrees.

Other tips:

Bulbs. Plant Calla Lilies, Dutch Hyacinth, and Louisiana Iris in January in your Houston, Texas garden.

Fertilize. Fertilize your Daylilies in January, as well as your Louisiana and Bearded Irises.

Prune. Prune your Fruit Trees, Crape Myrtles, and Nandinas in January, but do not remove too much and do not prune anything that will bloom in spring. Remove any dead wood from your trees and shrubs, too.

Transplanting. January is a great month for transplanting shrubs and trees, since they can focus on their root system rather than budding this month. Anything you want to see flowering in a few months in your Houston, Texas garden should be moved now.

What's blooming now. Look for January blossoms on your Baby's-breath, Shrimp Plants, Violets, Sweet Peas, and Rebud Tree. Pentas, Japanese Flowering Quince, and Sweet Olive should now begin to bloom as well.

Spring is coming!

Source list:

Personal experience

http://www.chron.com/apps/chron_data/plants.mpl