If it is not raining or freezing this weekend there are lots of things to be done in the Zone 9 garden.
Ornamentals
It is not too late to plant pansies, Johnny Jump Ups (viola), cyclamen, snap dragons, alyssum and ornamental cabbage. Water in new transplants with fish emulsion or other water soluble organic fertilizers. Fertilize established plants with 6 cups of organic fertilizer (or two cups of synthetic) per 25 sqaure feet of plantings.
It is still not too late to set out pansies and violas.
Vegetables
If you have not already planted onions, do so this month. Discard any onions that have a diameter bigger than a pencil. Onions are heavy feeders with a small root system. Because of this you need to keep the onion bed weed free and fertilize monthly at a rate of 6 cups of organic fertilizer (or two cups of synthetic) per 25 sqaure feet of plantings. For detailed information on growing onions in Zone 9 check out my post “Grow Bigger, Sweeter Onions”.
January is the month to start your tomato transplants from seed. If you want big, healthy plants by March 15 you need to get the seeds planted by January 15. MOH contributor Patty Leander has a great article about this in this month’s Texas Gardener Magazine. You can also see how long time Austin reader Harry Cabluck grows his transplants in my post “Harry Cabluck’s Tips for Growing Healthy Tomato Transplants”.
Maintenance
If you still have leaves on the ground, rake them up before they blow away. Leaves are great mulch and great compost additives. Now is also a good time to get out your row cover (or buy new). If you have things planted now you are probably going to need it in the next few weeks.
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