As the new year begins, gardeners across Houston and Harris County are stepping into January with one eye on the sky and another on the soil. This year, preparing your garden for January 2026 means looking beyond the usual routine—Harris County is facing a winter marked by increased rainfall potential and more sudden cold snaps compared to previous years, according to projections from the National Weather Service.

While forecasts don’t predict a repeat of the extreme freezes seen in past Texas winters, the early months of 2026 are still expected to bring fluctuating temperatures that could impact everything from tender annuals to dormant shrubs. For those new to the area or seasoned green thumbs, now is a crucial time to implement smart, timely gardening strategies to protect your landscape and prepare for spring.

Winter Gardening in Houston: What’s Different This Year?

In her January 2025 gardening calendar, Master Gardener Karen Shook with the Harris County Master Gardeners offered a reminder that while average frost dates for our region range from late November to mid-December (Zone 9), the risk of cold damage typically lingers into late February.

With this winter trending cooler and wetter, local gardeners should keep covers handy and stay vigilant—especially on nights where temperatures dip near freezing.

“We’re seeing signs of a wetter pattern and some temperature swings that could stress plants,” noted Texas A&M AgriLife Extension horticulturists in a recent seasonal outlook. That means proactive planning is more important than ever for Harris County gardens.

Key January Gardening Tasks for Harris County in 2026

Whether you’re a backyard grower, balcony gardener, or tending native beds, here’s what to prioritize this January:

Perennials & Ornamental Grasses

• Now is a great time to divide fall and summer bloomers, such as lantana or ornamental grasses.
• Cut back brown or dead foliage and mulch around the base to insulate roots.
• Begin fertilizing active perennials by late February

Annuals

• Start fast-growing cool-season annuals like phlox, alyssum, or calendula indoors.
• Prepare warm-season annuals (such as zinnias and cosmos) for seed starting inside to transplant in early spring.

Vegetables & Herbs

• January is ideal for starting tomato, pepper, and herb seeds indoors. Be sure to check germination timelines so your seedlings are ready to plant by March.
• Conduct a soil test now to identify nutrient needs before spring planting. (Soil testing info: soiltesting.tamu.edu)

For planning purposes, the Vegetable Garden Planting Dates chart found here offers a helpful visual reference tailored for Harris County.

Trees & Shrubs

• January is optimal for planting new trees and shrubs or transplanting existing ones.
• Inspect for scale on camellias and hollies; apply horticultural oil as needed when temperatures allow
• Hold off on pruning crape myrtles and other summer bloomers until mid-February, at the earliest.

Roses

• Most rose pruning in Houston takes place in late January to mid-February—just in time for Valentine's Day, a traditional rule of thumb.
• Look out for blackspot if warm, humid conditions persist early.

Lawns & Groundcovers

• Keep your lawn raked to maximize winter sunlight exposure.
• Consider applying a pre-emergent weed treatment or hand-pulling winter weeds.
• January is also a great time to prep neglected corners with groundcovers like Asian jasmine or native sedges.

How to Stay Informed—and Get Involved

Community gardening resources are abundant in Harris County. One of the best places to plug in is through the Harris County Master Gardeners and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Green Thumb Gardening Series, which offers free monthly online classes and local events.

Gardeners can also visit Genoa Friendship Gardens in southeast Houston (1210 Genoa Red Bluff Rd), where Master Gardeners host “Ask a Master Gardener” tables and plant sales throughout the year.

For questions or help identifying what’s growing—or what’s struggling—in your own yard, residents can submit gardening questions at hcmga.tamu.edu/ask-a-question for expert responses from local horticulture volunteers.

Planning Ahead

Looking beyond January, gardeners in Greater Houston should be prepared for continued weather swings and make flexibility part of their planting plan. Whether it’s starting seeds indoors, pruning roses before a freeze, or simply covering a beloved plant, small steps now will set the stage for a flourishing spring.

For those eager to get started or just looking to learn, there’s never been a better time to dig in.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.