RIDGEFIELD, CT — It is chilly, and the bottom is frozen, however that does not excuse Ridgefield owners from performing some necessary backyard upkeep this month, in keeping with one native professional.
Lisa Chuma, a member of The Ridgefield Garden Club, says gardeners ought to take the month of January to replicate upon Gardens Previous and act accordingly.
“Simply take into consideration what labored, what you appreciated, what you did not like, or what you noticed in another person’s backyard that you just appreciated, and plan to make modifications to your individual backyard,” Chuma mentioned.
Upon getting a agency imaginative and prescient of your spring and summer time landscapes in thoughts, it is time to escape the seed catalogs and begin putting orders.
“That is fairly low-key and doubtless essentially the most enjoyable and thrilling half about gardening,” Chuma mentioned.
Much less entertaining however simply as essential among the many January backyard upkeep chores is clearing away lifeless branches. The Farmers’ Almanac is looking for a good-sized snowstorm within the third week of the month, and Chuma recommends that gardeners prune or reduce off something which may fall in a snowstorm and take down different branches under it.
The Ridgefield gardener’s newly joined journey towards spring subsequent takes a flip into the shed.
“Clear and sharpen your backyard instruments,” Chuma mentioned. “Get them oiled and able to go.”
Popular Mechanics means that a few half-dozen lengthy, even strokes from a a 10- or 12-inch “bastard reduce” mill file will get your shears and trowels again into form. First brush away any rust utilizing metal wool or a wire brush. As soon as the instrument is sharp once more, s[ray it down with WD-40 or a comparable lubricant. Wipe away the surplus oil and metallic shavings with a fabric.
“After which other than that, I would say recycle your Christmas tree and hold your poinsettias in a sunny window,” Chuma mentioned. “Give them a little bit little bit of water when the soil feels dry, to maintain some colour in your own home and one thing to get you thru till these hotter spring days.”
