As soon as the new year begins, I start thinking about gardening. What will I transplant? What new plants do I want to add this year? I get so excited at the thought of getting outside and digging in the dirt. As soon as we’re past any potential for a freeze, you’ll find me in the garden. In the meantime, there are few things to tend to now.
It’s a good time to prune your crepe myrtle trees, if you haven’t already. Be careful not to commit crepe murder. 
“They” say that Valentine’s day is a good time to prune your knock out roses. Prune them to about 1/3 of the desired height, and be sure to trim away any dead stems or branches.
You can also start growing seedlings indoors to be planted outside once all danger of frost has passed. I’ve never done this, but I think I’m going to give it a try.
A bit of trivia, did you know that a cloche is meant to shelter young plants from frost?
How does your garden grow? ;)
See you in class,
Mrs. Hines
Your picture of those knock-out roses make me want to plants lots of them this spring!
I love them! They definitely need full sun.
I think our azaleas are confused because they are already blooming this year…earlier than usual. A few months back we pulled out every single bush in our front flower beds because they were hideous. I cannot wait to plant something new this year and ready to get started! Anything you suggest?
You could try encore azaleas which bloom spring, summer and fall. Part sun to part/shade plants to replace the azaleas: gardenias, camelias, hydrangeas. Oh, and bridal wreath spirea is a great companion plant for azaleas. They bloom together in early spring and its a stunning display.
Knockout roses are great for spots that get full sun.
I have some seedlings and a yard full of nothing but sunshine waiting for plants. I love your knockout roses, but worry about bee’s, as I am highly allergic to them. Would love to plant some though…Yours are just to beautiful, that I may just take my chances anyway.