Lawn care:

- Many lawns have dry areas; check the irrigation system and rewet dry spots to renew growth.
- A once a week thorough watering is normally adequate at this time of the year.
- It is easy to spot the brown warm season weeds; remove and resod these areas.
- Feeding time is over until late winter for lawns.
- Try regreening yellow lawns with an iron or minor nutrient application if needed.
- Mow lawns as needed to give a uniform look, mulch leaves and control weeds.
- Spot kill patches of persistent winter weeds with a selective herbicide for your lawn type.
- Fill in bare spots with sod or plugs; delay seeding of permanent grass until spring.

Landscape chores:

- Cool weather is a good time to perform needed yard care.
- Remove dead fronds and old seed heads from palms but keep the good green leaves.
- Trim dead or declining portions from small trees and shrubs.
- Schedule needed large tree trimming now to be ready for severe 2013 weather.
- Crape myrtle grooming can begin this month; remove only the seed heads and small twigs.
- Renew mulch layers by adding a light new topping.
- Edge landscape beds and walkways.
- Feed container gardens weekly if needed for growth; in ground annual plantings monthly.
- Divide and replant perennials.
- Learn what plants need winter protection; many benefit from the cold.
- Only protect cold sensitive plants from frosts and freezes.
- Thick fabric covers secured to the ground are the best cold protection.
- Outdoor lights maybe added for heat if they don’t touch the covers.
- Protect orchids and tropical foliage plants from temperatures below 45 degrees.
- Groom hanging baskets and planters by removing old flowers and lanky stems.
- Move holiday gift plants to the patio during warm days.
- Dig and move trees and shrubs from one area of the landscape to another.
- Place bird houses, feeders and baths in the landscape.

Vegetable and Fruit Gardening:

- Remove declining warm season and early maturing cool season crops.
- Plant the cool season vegetables and herbs your family enjoys.
- Start seeds of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants in early January for the spring garden.
- Water only when needed; install soaker hoses or micro-sprinklers to water the gardens.
- Plant clusters of flowers among vegetables to bring pollinators into the garden.
- Save shipping charges; locate seeds, bulbs and transplants locally.
- Prepare spring planting sites by adding lots of organic matter to sandy soils.
- Feed winter vegetables and herbs monthly.
- Prune apple, grape, peach, pear and fig plantings.
- Plant new fruit trees, shrubs and vines.
- Turn fallen leaves into compost.

Indoor Plant Care:

- Move temperature sensitive plants back from the window during the cold weather.
- Keep holiday plants through winter with adequate water and monthly feedings.
- Trim off yellow leaves and declining flower stalks.
- Move declining plants into the higher light levels.
- Add new foliage plants to the home.
- Use a mild soapy solution to wash indoor foliage to remove dust and control pests.
- Remove bulbs from the refrigerator after their cold treatment for forcing.
- Water foliage plants when the soil dries to the touch.