January Yard and Garden Tips for Laurens County

As the new year begins, January is an ideal time for Laurens County residents to get a head start on lawn, garden, and pond care. Cooler temperatures and dormant plants make this a productive month for planning, testing, and completing key maintenance tasks that will pay off in the spring.

Guidance and resources are provided by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, with additional information available through the Laurens County Extension Office.

Pond Management

For those with recreational fishing ponds, January offers two important opportunities:

• Pond stocking: January is the final month recommended for stocking bream. Proper stocking now helps establish a healthy fish population for the year ahead.

• Pond liming: If a pond’s pH needs adjustment, January is also a good time to apply lime to the pond bottom. Soil or bottom sampling can determine whether liming is necessary before application.

Lawns and Gardens

January is an excellent month to focus on soil health, which is the foundation for successful lawns and gardens.

• Soil testing: If soil testing has not been completed recently, now is an ideal time. A soil test measures existing nutrients and provides specific fertilizer recommendations based on the type of grass or crops being grown. If soil pH is low, results will also indicate whether lime is needed. Because lime can take six months or more to neutralize soil acidity, applying it now allows plenty of time before peak growing season.

  Soil tests cost $6, and test kits, forms, and instructions are available at the local Clemson Extension Office.

Trees and Shrubs

Winter dormancy makes January a productive time for tree care, with a few important exceptions.

• Pruning: Most trees and shrubs can be pruned now. However, spring-flowering plants such as azalea, dogwood, forsythia, redbud, and rhododendron should not be pruned until after they bloom, since they set buds in the fall. Plants that bloom after June 1 can generally be pruned safely during winter.

• Tree planting: Winter months are ideal for planting trees while they are dormant. When planting, take care not to plant too deeply or over-amend the soil. Proper planting techniques help ensure healthy root development and long-term growth.

Additional Resources

All pamphlets and publications referenced in Clemson’s January garden calendar can be found online through the Home & Garden Information Center at www.clemson.edu/hgic.

The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, and is an equal opportunity employer.

For more local gardening advice and resources, residents are encouraged to contact the Laurens County Clemson Extension Office.