Timely Tips

What to Do in January 2026
Weekly Gardening Timely Tips from
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

Jan. 11 to 17

Perennials: For inspiration, continue reading catalogues and online information with reputable, evidence-based information for plants that reasonably fit the conditions on your site. Look for species that support birds and pollinators. For the best selection, place your order soon.

Flowers: How do you care for an amaryllis once it has bloomed? Cut the top of the flower stem when it begins to turn yellow to remove the spent blossoms so seeds do not form. Put the plant under bright lights or in a sunny window so the leaves fully develop and can fuel the bulb for the next flowering cycle. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and fertilize occasionally with a general purpose houseplant fertilizer while it is in active growth. In summer, you can move it outdoors. You can go natural or withhold water to force the bulb into dormancy in early fall. Repotting may not be necessary. Resume watering to start the flowering cycle 10 to 12 weeks before you would like the bulb to bloom.

Fruits and Vegetables: Is there a vegetable you’ve always wanted to try but weren’t sure where to start? Check out Cornell Home Gardening Vegetable Growing Guides at http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/

For additional ideas and local growing information, contact your local Cooperative Extension.

Trees and Shrubs: Take a tour of the winter garden, getting to know the trees by their overall shape, twigs, bark and buds. Many have interesting forms that stand out in the landscape. Could the area use more variety to create additional winter interest? Consider plants with persistent ornamental fruit, interesting bark and stem colors, and varied evergreens that fit the space and site conditions. Check out the Cornell Woody Plant Database at https://woodyplants.cals.cornell.edu/home . You can search by ornamental characteristics and environmental conditions.

Lawns:To prevent the grass from becoming damaged, limit foot traffic on a wet or frozen lawn.

Houseplants: Assess how much light the plants receive now that the angles of the sun have changed and days are shorter. Foliage plants typically need bright light, but not necessarily direct sun. Variegated plants (those with streaks of white or yellow in their leaves) may revert to solid green if they don’t receive enough light, but too much light may bleach or burn them. Most flowering plants grow best in direct sunlight, cacti and succulents especially.

General:

Spotted lanternfly egg masses on trees and many landscape surfaces have a dull waxy covering that helps them escape detection and protects them from cold weather. To learn what to look for, seehttps://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/whats-bugging-you/spotted-lanternfly

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester horticulture program may be reached at 914-285-4640 or westchester@cornell.edu

Last updated January 10, 2026