Rocky Mountain Gardeners' January Checklist

Itching to garden despite cold and snow? Make your landscape safe and welcoming for friends and wildlife. A little care now keeps plants strong well into the new year.

Feed the Birds

High-quality seeds, peanuts, and suet are essential when natural food is buried or depleted. Different birds need specific foods and feeders. The National Audubon Society recommends species-specific feeding based on target birds. My peanut feeder outside the office window attracts woodpeckers, chickadees, sparrows, juncos (ground-feeding on fallen bits) all winter.

Fresh water for drinking and bathing is crucial. Keep birdbaths ice-free with a commercial heater from garden centers.

Keep Ice at Bay — Safely

Clearing snow/ice from walks and drives is a safety must, but plant health matters too. Salt-based ice melters (including rock salt) attract moisture, form brine that generates heat and melts ice — but damage plant roots, causing brown, desiccated leaf edges or death.

Tips for de-icer use:

• Apply before storms to prevent ice bonding.
• Cut with sand, kitty litter, or sawdust for traction and less product.
• Clear pavement ASAP post-storm to reduce product need.
• Sweep up excess — don't sweep onto lawns, beds, or streets (keeps it out of waterways).
• Flush landscape/pavement where overuse/damage suspected.
• Follow manufacturer instructions; choose right product for conditions (e.g., rock salt only works above 20°F).

Water Plants

Many Rocky Mountain areas suffer sparse snow, low soil moisture, low humidity in winter — severely weakening root systems. Damage appears late spring/summer as death or disease/insect susceptibility. Woody plants (trees/shrubs) have shallow roots, most susceptible to winter drought (especially evergreens), as are south/west-facing lawns, plants near south/west foundations, and new installations (<1 year).

Watering guidelines:

• Water only when air AND soil temps >40°F, no snow cover.
• New/young trees: soil needle or deep-root fork, 8 inches deep, halfway between trunk and several feet beyond drip line, around entire tree. Large established trees: sprinkler more efficient.
• 10 gallons per inch of tree diameter (e.g., 3-inch = 30 gallons). Monthly or as conditions dictate.
• New shrubs: 5 gallons twice monthly.
• Small established shrubs: 5 gallons monthly.
• Large established shrubs (>6 ft): 18 gallons monthly.
• Supplement only natural precipitation — don't waste water.

Prevent Snow Mold

Shaded lawn areas (north sides of buildings/fences) accumulate persistent snow — high snow mold risk. Shovel snow off shaded lawns, distribute to drier, sunnier areas.