• Time to take down the Christmas tree. Great time to practice recycling. Some counties offer Christmas tree recycling services at local convenience centers.
• If you have a live tree, bring it outdoors to a cool, protected area. Water thoroughly and hose off foliage. Move into full sun in two weeks.
• Still a great time to do transplants around the yard. You can transplant perennials and shrubs as long as the ground is not frozen.
• If weather gets cold, be sure tender plants, such as pansy beds or emerging bulb foliage, are mulched well with pine needles or shredded mulch.
• As weather allows, prune deciduous trees and shrubs, do not prune flowering trees until later in spring after they bloom. ( dogwoods, cherry, redbuds )
• Prune fruit trees now. Remove dead limbs and any vertical sprouts.
• Do not prune azaleas, winter camellias, winter daphne, or trees that are “bleeders” such as birch, or Japanese maples. Remember, any pruning done now will be evident until spring growth in April and May.
• Use insecticidal soap on the tops and undersides of houseplant leaves if insects are detected. Clean foliage, water regularly and fertilize. Repot as necessary.
• Continue to spray dormant oil on all evergreens, to protect them for insect damage.

If bulbs you bought at Zone 7 last fall are “just chillin” in your refrigerator, take them out, water and set them out in sunlight as indicated below for a burst of color in time for spring.