Landscape

        • Contact a professional tree removal service now to remove large trees from your property — winter rates for this service are often lower than in spring.

Flowers and vegetables

        • Don't worry about greenery from bulbs poking out of the ground this time of year; it's not usually a problem.

        • Mulch the soil around emerging bulbs and perennials with an inch or more of straw, fluffy leaves or evergreen boughs to moderate temperature fluctuations and prevent freezing and thawing cycles that might heave plants out of the ground.

        • There is nothing we can do about tree buds that may be opening in unusually warm weather. Do not prune the trees until spring, or more new growth will be encouraged.

        • Start Brussels sprouts, parsley, leeks and onions from seed early this month under fluorescent lights placed 6-12 inches above the foliage.

        • Start seeds indoors for cool-season vegetables so they will be ready for transplanting to the garden early in the season. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage seeds should be started five to seven weeks prior to transplanting.

        • Plan the vegetable garden, being sure to rotate crops from where they were grown last year.

        • Order seed from reputable seed sources.

        • Sow geranium and wax begonia seeds in order to have flowering plants by spring.

Indoor activities

        • Paint the handles of garden tools with neon paint colors so they will be easy to spot during the growing season.

        • Sharpen and oil garden tools, such as shovels and hoes.

Houseplants

        • Purchase new houseplants to chase away the winter gloom.

        • Keep new houseplants separate from existing plants for a few weeks to prevent introduction of disease and insects. Otherwise, it's best to group plants to increase the humidity around them.

Eco tip

        Send in a soil sample for testing. Soil tests tell what fertilizer and pH adjustments should be made for optimum plant growth. Contact your county Cooperative Extension office or the Civic Garden Center for a list of soil testing labs.

        Contact Sue Trusty by e-mail: strusty@isoc.net, or the Civic Garden Center Hotline: 221-8733.

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