Here we are in mid-January. Daytime temperatures are hitting the 50s but we still dip below freezing at night. While things seem somewhat warm right now, we all know that winter isn't quite over in the high desert. Still, this is the time of year when we can finally begin planting the spring garden. Keep on top of the January garden chores so your garden is up an running at the first kiss of spring.

Winter Pruning

Now is the time to get out and prune away dead and damaged parts of dormant plants. Many of the trees and semi-dormant desert species will begin waking up next month, so now is the best time to prune. Avoid pruning anything woody that blooms in spring, as you might inadvertently cut off the flower buds.

Transplant Trees and Bushes

If you are planting new trees or shrubs in the landscape this year, now through March is the optimum time to get them in the ground. Transplanting while the plants are still dormant avoids some shock. The plants take off and establish new roots as soon as the soil starts warming up. You can also dig and move around young plants at this time if they aren't thriving in their current locations.

Start Spring Seeds

Get out the grow lights and start your early spring plants indoors. Kale, pansies, lettuce, broccoli and other cold-season plants go outdoors in about six weeks. Starting the seedlings indoors right now ensures they'll be ready to bloom or produce soon after transplanting in late February or early March. You can even set some pansies outside now. If we don't get hit with a major cold snap they'll bloom from January into early summer. Pansies can survive freezing nights if they are warm during the day.