Timely Tips for January in the Low Desert
Tip of the Month
Apply fertilizers carefully. Too much fertilizer can cause salt burn and too little can cause nutrient deficiency problems. Be sure to water both the day before and immediately after applying granular fertilizers. Only apply fertilizers when plants are actively growing otherwise it will be washed away before they can use it.
Climate Information for January in Phoenix, Arizona
Rainfall:
- Average: 0.6 inches
- Record: 5.25 inches (1993)
Temperature (degrees F):
- Average High: 65.9 degrees
- Lowest High: 39 degrees (1937)
- Record High: 88 degrees (1971)
- Average Low: 41.2 degrees
- Lowest High: 61 degrees (1988)
- Record Low: 16 degrees (1913)
Note: Rainfall and temperatures vary widely within the valley depending upon elevation and microclimate.
Turf
- After the first mowing, fertilize winter lawns with a high phosphate fertilizer like superphosphate, triple superphosphate, or a complete fertilizer that is 20% phosphorous or more by weight. Ammonium phosphate (16-20-0) is another option. Follow the application rates and directions on the label.
- Identify and correct problems with winter laws quickly.
Roses
- Prune roses. Attend pruning demonstrations put on by local Rose Societies, Garden Clubs, Nurseries and the Cooperative Extension Office
- Transplant bare root roses
Landscape Plants
- Protect plants from frost damage if the temperature is projected to drop down in to the 20’s for more than an hour.
- Prune nonnative deciduous shade trees
- Transplant bare root plants
- Move living Christmas Trees outside to a shaded, cool location. Transplant into permanent location as soon as soil temperatures warm.
- Water at least once a month unless rains provide adequate moisture.
- Control weeds while they are young, tender, and their roots are manageable, or before they sprout. Be sure to remove before they set seed.
- Winter watering schedules should be adjusted to about 1/3 of the summer frequency for deciduous and dormant plants, but water deeply each time. Winter lawns and growing flowers may require once to twice per week watering depending on the weather.
- Make plans for Arbor Day, the last Friday in April.
- DO NOT prune frost sensitive plants, especially if they have been damaged by frost.
- DO NOT over water or over fertilize winter lawns as this will encourage rapid succulent growth which is vulnerable to fungal diseases.
- DO NOT water turf at night when the temperatures are coolest as this fosters the growth of fungal diseases.
- DO NOT mow when turf is wet. By wounding the plant (mowing) while it is wet you increase the likelihood of fungal infection. In addition, you increase the likelihood of spreading the fungus on the tires of the mower and on your shoes