Starting off the new year with good gardening

Steve Kawaratani

“New Year is the direct descendant, isn’t it, of a long line of new

years?”

-- with apologies to

Ogden Nash

“Each year we see

Breeds new beginnings”

-- Matthew Arnold

Today is the ninth day of a new year. A week ago, Westerners

celebrated the 2048th New Year’s Day since Caesar decreed the first

day of the year as Jan. 1. I was traveling in Baja during the first

few days of January.

The holidays were still continuing in Mexico and the surrounding

pace had slowed to an enjoyable level.

Your questions for the Plant Man, for this first month of the year

included:

Q: What is the most important garden job this month?

A: January is the month for pruning. Prune carefully to encourage

the type of plant growth you want. Early-flowering shrubs and trees

may be pruned after they have flowered.

Q: Is this a good time to plant roses?

A: The best! Your local nurseries will have their largest

selection of roses at the best prices because it is bare root season

through February.

Q: I am growing Coleus in a pot at home and I was told to pinch

the tops to encourage branching. What exactly does that mean?

A: Pinching tops is simply removing the new growth that may be

emerging atop a spindly, tall plant. Such pruning signals the plant

to branch out with side growth, rather than growing upward.

Q: I am growing cilantro and it is growing out of control. It has

grown a lot but is not standing up straight.

A: Cilantro rarely stands up straight without the aid of staking.

I solve that problem by constantly eating the plant!

Q: I have what I believe are called pothos plants indoors. I was

told that one could take leaves off of it and replant it. Can I do

this?

A: Pothos can be propagated from leave cuttings. Simply dip the

end of a leaf in a rooting compound and plant in a potting medium.

Expect the plant to root within a few weeks.

Q: Is it too late for bulbs?

A: Spring bulbs, like callas, gladiolus, lilies and Lily of the

Valley are available at your favorite nursery. If you can find them,

there is time to plant daffodil, ranunculus and narcissus.

Q: My girlfriend’s pansies are looking a little weak and droopy

right now. Is this a normal state for them?

A: I believe that your pansies would prefer much warmer

temperatures, generally they are not set out this early in colder

climes. Keep the plants moist but avoid overhead watering in freezing

temperatures.

As I traveled through Baja and thought about the New Year, it

became clearer that it was not about resolutions, but rather about

keeping promises to others and myself. The coming year brings new

opportunities and challenges for all of us. We are the fortunates who

are able to call Laguna home.

Happy New Year and see you next time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,

1540 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. He is married to local artist,

Catharine Cooper, and has three cats. He can be reached at (949)

497-2438, or e-mail to plantm@lagunanursery.com.