Start new year in the garden and at gatherings

Gardening tips for January:

Trees: Plant bare-root deciduous fruit trees which require less than 400 chilling hours. These include Anna and Dorsett Golden apple; Gold Kist and Katy apricot; Santa Rosa plum; Tropic Snow, Babcock, Desert Gold and Bonanza Miniature peach; Fuyu persimmon; Black Mission fig; and Wonderful pomegranate.

Prune established fruit and shade trees. Do not prune trees into squares, cylinders and rectangles. Keep trees in their natural shapes; thin and remove dead branches. Plant shade trees.

Citrus: Fertilize citrus with 1/3 of the trees' annual nitrogen requirements.

Grapes: Prune back vines to the original canes and cut original canes back to about 8 feet.

Roses: Plant #1 grade container and bare-root roses having at least three healthy canes. For established hybrid teas and grandifloras, prune back one-half to one-third of the bush. For floribundas and miniature roses, prune back, leaving 8-12 canes. Prune Old Garden roses after their spring bloom.

Annuals: Plant calendula, dianthus, gazania, marigold, nasturtium, pansy, petunia and other annuals.

Vegetables: Sow seeds for beets, bok choy, carrots, chard, collard greens, mustard greens, leaf lettuce, peas, spinach, turnips. Transplant broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and herbs. Plant asparagus crowns.

Shrubs: Plant shrubs. Prune established shrubs if they are leggy.

Fertilize rye grass with ammonium phosphate.

***

January is a busy month for Federated Garden Clubs of Yuma. Here's a look at some of the upcoming events:

• Main Library Series: Jan. 11, 4:30-5:30 p.m., “Nutrient Deficiency-How to Know and What to Do,” presented by Cynthia Peck, Master Gardener.

• Home & Garden Show: Jan. 11-13, local businesses, organizations and out-of-town speakers will exhibit and demonstrate ways to beautify your home and yard. All Yuma garden clubs will participate. Guest speakers will discuss horticulture topics. Plants and gardening items will be for sale.

Pecan Grove Garden Club will sell their famous “dumpster” birdhouses, some that sit and others attached to old garden tools. They will also sell decorated agave trees.

Yuma Garden Club will sell succulent dish gardens and colorful annuals.

• Potpourri: Jan. 25-27 at the Yuma County Fairgrounds in the Theater Building. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Our garden clubs will sell a variety of plants and garden items, and local artists will have their work for sale. Food vendors will offer a variety of foods to enjoy as you walk around the event.

***

Club meetings:

Visit fcgyuma.org and click on a club's name to learn more about each club and its activities.

• Yuma Orchid and African Violet Society meets Jan. 10, 1 p.m., Foothills Library. After a short business meeting, a discussion will be held concerning orchids and African violets. Bring an African violet leaf to swap or an orchid to “show and tell.”

• Yuma Garden Club meets Jan. 14, 1 p.m., at the Main Library, 2951 S. 21st Drive. The program is “Growing Roses in Yuma,” presented by club members Mary Lou Milstead, Elizabeth Moody, Tim Timmerman, Michal Graber and Donna Johnson. The club's cookbook, “Desert Jewels,” will be on sale at the meeting with funds going toward a student scholarship. Gardening questions will be answered.

• Pecan Grove Garden Club meets Jan. 15, 6 p.m., at the Main Yuma Library, 2951 S. 21st Drive. The program is “Citrus Care and Varieties for Yuma Gardens,” presented by Dr. Glenn Wright, associate professor and specialist of citrus and date palms, UA Yuma Agriculture Center.

• MGM Garden Club meets every Tuesday morning at the Moody Demonstration Garden, 2200 W. 28th St. Members maintain the garden to keep it looking beautiful. Their business meeting is the last Tuesday of each month, 9 a.m., UA Cooperative Ext. Office. Their book, “Timeline History, Robert J. Moody Demonstration Garden,” by Ellen Gardner, is on sale with proceeds funding the garden. Call 1-908-612-3538 for information.

Karen Bowen is a master gardener and member of Yuma Garden Club. This column is sponsored by the Federated Garden Clubs of Yuma.