Prescott Garden Keeping - January Edition

After working with a client to design and create a gorgeous garden or landscape, I love staying connected to see it flourish! Early on, I check in frequently, and then gradually less often as everything starts to settle in during that first year.


Creating a thriving landscape isn’t just about the excitement of installation (though that’s definitely a highlight!). Success comes from pairing a fantastic design with consistent care over time. With the right attention each month, your garden can become even more beautiful and rewarding as the years go by. 🌱✨
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While we don’t offer garden maintenance at The Whiskey Porch, I wanted to make it easier for you to keep your landscape looking amazing. That’s why I’ve put together a series of garden-keeping checklists! Whether you’re rolling up your sleeves to tackle it yourself or bringing in a maintenance crew, these monthly guides are designed to help you stay on track—perfect for anyone gardening in and around Prescott, AZ. 🏡🌼

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Winter might be the "dormant" season, but don’t let that fool you—there’s still plenty happening in the garden! 🌱❄️

While everything slows down a bit, this is actually the perfect time to lay the groundwork for a vibrant, healthy landscape next season. Plus, spreading the tasks over the winter months makes things feel a lot more manageable and even enjoyable.


These checklists are tailored to the unique micro-climate here in downtown Prescott, AZ, but they can be easily adapted to your own location and the plants you’re growing. They’re designed with USDA Zone 7b in mind, so you’ll have a great starting point!


Keep in mind that every year brings its own surprises—sometimes we’ll see a hard freeze as early as late October, while other years it holds off until December. Use these lists as a guide, and adjust for your local weather patterns.
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Whether you’re tending perennials, veggies, or herbs, these monthly checklists will help you keep your garden thriving all year long. Let’s make winter gardening fun and productive! 🌿✨

​Let's get to it.

​PLANTS & PLANTING  🌱

• Plan out your flower, herb, and veggie gardens - consider rotations, new companion plantings, and create a layout sketch
• Start your cool season seeds at the end of the month - lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, etc
• Begin to cold stratify any seeds that require this treatment 

​WATER  💦

• Continue to water every 2 weeks if there is no rain or snow.  This is super important because although it's cold out there, winter can be very dry and a deep soak now and then, especially for newer plantings, is essential for longer term success.

​CRITTERS 🦌

• Re-apply deer repellent to succulents and around bird feeder
• ​Remember to fill those bird feeders and provide fresh clean water 

​MAINTENANCE  ✂️

• Order compost (or filter your own) and top off your raised beds and borders
• Prepare your beds for cool season veggies like cabbage and lettuce
• Organize your seed starting supplies - check that lights and heat pads are in good order, clean trays
• Sort through your potting shed, get it organized, clean and sharpen tools, and maybe order anything new that you'll need come spring
• Dig holes for new shrubs and trees that you will be planting in the spring
• Prune fruit trees/shrubs/vines and spray with lime sulfur and/or dormant oil spray - in particular those that have pest issues during the growing season
• Note:  be careful not to prune any spring bloomers until after they've bloomed
• Give your indoor plants a little extra love and attention during this slower time​​

​OTHER  📝

• Finish making permanent plant labels for your perennials
  
• Review all those seed and plant catalogs you ordered and place your orders (if you wait too long, the more unusual items often are sold out)

​GARDEN KEEPING JOURNAL ☑️

Find all the other monthly checklists (as they are published each month this first year) here:

Monthly Checklists

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Looking for more garden & landscape inspiration?

You can find lots more good stuff and inspiration on our Garden Resources page if you'd like to start dreaming about next season!

Cottage Garden Resources

That’s a wrap—thank you so much for reading! 🌟

I’m excited to share that I’ll be posting a new Garden Keeping Checklist each month, so stay tuned for fresh tips and seasonal inspiration. Plus, I’ll be updating them over time to keep them even more helpful!
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Do you have any favorite January garden tasks you do every year? I’d love to hear your ideas—drop them in the comments or send me a note.  Let’s keep the gardening magic going together! 🌿✨

Peace  & Contentment,
~Miriam