January Gardening Tips

January Tips
INTERIOR GARDENING
Contact: Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture
October 1996

http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/monthlytips/january/notejani.html

# Research shows that a pot-in-a-pot set-up for irrigating
houseplants is better than capillary action through water wicks. By
using a small, unglazed clay pot placed inside a larger, glazed clay
pot with a water reservoir in between, plants are better irrigated,
and have higher visual quality, greater plant leaf area, and improved
root growth.

# Although tomatoes, peppers and eggplants self-pollinate, to insure
ample fruit set in home greenhouses, take a cotton swab or a fine
paintbrush and transfer the pollen from one flower to another. Swirl
the swab or brush lightly inside each flower, one after the other.
Repeat this process the next day. Don't wait too long after the
blossoms appear to pollinate them. For most plants, the most
successful pollinating can be done the day after blossoms open. If
successful, you will be able to see tiny fruits as the flowers wilt.

# To prolong bloom, protect poinsettias from drafts and keep them
moderately moist.

# Turn and prune house plants regularly to keep them shapely. Pinch
back new growth to promote bushy plants.

# Check all house plants closely for insect infestations. Quarantine
gift plants until you determine that they aren't harboring any pests.

# Overwatering indoor plants encourages root rot. Water when the soil
is dry to the touch.

# Keep winter fertilization of most houseplants to a minimum as plant
growth is now at its slowest.

# House plants and holiday gift plants should not be placed on top of
the television. This location is too warm and in most homes too far
from windows to provide adequate light.

# Thin-leaved plants are very sensitive to transplant shock. If a
plant wilts after repotting, encase the entire plant in a plastic
bag. Twist the bag shut and punch two or three holes in it. Allow the
plant to recuperate out of direct sunlight in this protected
environment for two or three days. Resist the urge to water a wilted
plant if the soil is moist.

# The low light levels of winter call for some adjustments in the
placement of houseplants. Bring house plants that normally thrive on
the north side of the house to east windows, while allowing the
plants from the east more sun on the south. Also, give the plants
that usually are set on the tables away from direct light a short
midwinter visit to one of the less-exposed windowsills.

# When extremely cold nights prevail, draw the window shades or slip
lengths of protective cardboard between plants and the glass. Move
the most tender plants away from the window panes on the coldest
nights.

# If you potted bulbs of daffodils, crocus, tulips, or hyacinths in
the fall, bring them indoors now to force them into bloom. Place pots
in a cool window that receives direct sunlight for at least a few
hours each day. Allow soil to dry partially between each watering.

# Fluorescent tubes lose intensity with age. If you are using quite a
few fluorescent lamps, change a few tubes at a time to avoid plant
damage by the sudden increase in light intensity.

# Mealy bugs on your house plants can be killed by touching them with
a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

# If you are considering installing supplemental lighting for your
indoor plants, the 48-inch, 40-watt fixture with two fluorescent
tubes is the industry standard. Spare parts are readily available and
high production volume assures lower costs for 48 inch than for other
size tubes. Use one cool white and one warm white tube to obtain a
light mix most beneficial to plants.

# When dusting the furniture also consider dusting the plants. With
the short days of winter, light reduction must remain at a minimum.
Wipe dust from broad-leaf plants at regular intervals using a cloth
dampened with clear water.

# Give your holiday gift plants the best care so they can retain
their original, attractive appearance. Keep them cool with a
temperature of 70 degrees F during the day and 60 degrees at night.
Set the pots on a tray of moistened gravel to maintain higher
humidity.

# During the winter, most houses are too dry for house plants.
Humidity can be increased by placing plants on trays lined with
pebbles and filled with water to within one half inch of the base of
the pot. If you heat with wood, keep a pot of water on the stove. The
added moisture will be healthier for you as well as your plants.

# Force pips of lily-of-the-valley into flower; approximately three
weeks at 60 to 70 degrees F are required.

# Plants grown under lights need a nightly rest. An automatic timer
is ideal to turn the lights off at night.

# Maidenhair ferns need high humidity (at least 50 percent) so they
are ideal for cultivation in terrariums.

# Hold cacti with kitchen tongs as you repot them and you won't get
stickers in your fingers.

# House plants with large leaves and smooth foliage (philodendrons,
dracaena, rubber plant, etc.) benefit if their leaves are washed at
intervals to remove dust and grime, helping keep the leaf pores open.

# Transporting house plants this time of year without protection for
even "just a few minutes" can be detrimental. Wrap plants with 3 or 4
layers of newspaper or paper sleeves and staple the newspaper shut
over the foliage.

# Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) need to be mature and to have
short days (8 hours or less of light) to produce flower stalks, the
runners on which the plantlets form.

# Leaf tip burn of spider plants can be caused by soluble salts
build-up due to improper watering and too much fertilizer. Never
allow the plant to dry out excessively; and when you do water, water
thoroughly from the surface allowing plenty of water to drain out.

# Amaryllis bulbs may not bloom if they are in too large of a pot.
There should be no more than 1 inch of space on each side of the
bulb. At least one third of the bulb should be above the soil line.

# Always cut off the faded flowers of your amaryllis so no seeds
form. Producing seeds robs the bulb of strength that should go to
next years flowers.

# To insure next year's flowers on amaryllis, keep the plant growing
strongly until mid-July before allowing it to go dormant.

# Very few conifers have been studied for potential use as house
plants. For many years, the Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria
heterophylla) and the Australian bunya-bunya (A. bidwillii) have been
the only needled evergreens commonly suggested for growing indoors.
Several cypresses, however, are proving equally good in home
environments. Two are already appearing in plant shops. The columnar
Italian cypress (Cypressus sempervirens 'Stricta') is a graceful,
very narrow tree, probably the most narrow and rigidly upright of all
conifers. The other, C. macrocarpa 'Goldcrest,' a cultivar of the
Monterey cypress native to California, is widely grown there and in
Europe in coastal gardens as specimens, hedges, windbreaks and
topiary. Both these plants are hardy only to about 10 degrees F, so
they are grown outdoors only in warm climates.

# The brilliant and velvety flowers of cineraria are shaped like
daisies and come in shades of purple, red and blue. It is a plant
that will flower brightly, but should be discarded when its show is
past. Potted cineraria will last best in a cool, sunny window.

# The Chinese evergreen is a foliage plant that will survive even in
a dark, basement apartment. Its silver-splashed leaves will grow well
at very low light levels and it takes a minimum of care, as long as
night temperatures don't drop much below 65 degrees F.

# Allow cacti to go semi-dormant in the winter. Water only to avoid
shrivelling. Place in full sun with a maximum day temperature of 65
degrees F. and a night temperature of 40 to 50 degrees F.

# Philodendron 'Red Venus' has uniquely shaped leaves with pronounced
lobes that are distinctly hooked. The color, reddish to rich green
with mahogany-colored petioles, adds to the overall beauty of the
plant. In an 8-inch pot, this plant reaches a height of 18 inches
with a spread of 24 inches. Ask your local nurseryman or florist to
stock this special plant.

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January Tips
VEGETABLES

http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/monthlytips/january/notejanv.html

# To invigorate potted chives, cut them back to 1 inch above soil.
Place in the refrigerator for two weeks, then place the pot in a
sunny window.

# Where space is limited for seed starting, sow seeds thickly in each
container. When the seedlings become large enough to handle
(generally, when the second set of leaves, the first true leaves,
develop), carefully separate the tiny plants to individual
containers.

# Some mail order seed companies offer pelleted seed of lettuce,
carrot, and a few other small-seeded crops. Pelleted seed has a
special coating to make them larger. This is especially valuable for
children and gardeners with arthritic hands, weak eyesight, or poor
coordination. Wide spacing of seed helps eliminate thinning. When
using pelleted seed, plant in moist soil and keep it moist because
the coating has to dissolve before the seed can germinate.

# For varieties specifically adapted to your region, look for seed
companies specializing in seed for your locale and those carrying
locally grown, heirloom seeds.

# Gardeners with small plots, who want to try a few of many types of
plants, can turn to seed companies offering mini-packets or
mixed-seed packets.

# A number of seed companies provide useful publications free, free
with a minimum order, or for a very reasonable price. These
educational offerings give concise answers to frequently asked
cultural questions or more complete variety descriptions.

# Researchers at the Agricultural Research Center of New Mexico State
University are breeding short-season, hot peppers that will ripen
with a pungent flavor in cool temperatures. Hot pepper lovers will
want to watch seed catalogs for Espanola, Casados, Chimayo, and El
Guique Native.

# You've heard of salad gardens. How about a gazpacho garden? As part
of your garden planning, set aside an area for planting cucumbers,
onions, sweet peppers, hot peppers, basil, and, of course, tomatoes,
to provide the makings for a delightful, homegrown soup. Spicy salsa
ingredients make a great garden, too!

# The type of mulch matters when vegetables are grown in raised beds.
Tomatoes and peppers grown in raised beds with bare soil, black
plastic, white plastic, and living rye mulches had differing yields
and pest problems. For instance, plants produced the lowest yields
with the living rye mulch. Aphids were present in the greatest
numbers on both species when grown on bare soil. Plastic mulches seem
to work best when compared to living rye or nothing at all.

# To keep pests at bay, red and green cabbage can be grown under
floating row covers for the entire season without detriment to the
plants. Keep in mind that the row covers will become brittle after 2
to 3 months exposure to sunlight.

# Review your vegetable garden plans. Perhaps a smaller garden with
fewer weeds and insects will give you more produce.

# In the warmer part of the state, sow seeds of cool-season
vegetables now for transplanting into the garden in March and April.
Use individual peat pots, or simply cover the floor of the cold frame
with a rich soil mix and sow seeds directly into it. Start broccoli,
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, lettuce and
spinach.

# When reviewing your garden catalogs for new vegetable varieties to
try, an important consideration is improved insect and disease
resistance. Watch also for drought-tolerant types.

# Continue harvesting the carrots, parsnips, turnips, and horseradish
left in the garden in the fall.

# Analyze last year's planting, fertilizing and spraying records.
Make notations to reorder successful varieties, as well as those you
wish to try again.

# Before ordering your spring seed, do a "rag doll" germination test
on those seeds left over from last year's order. Roll 10 or 20 seeds
in a damp paper towel. Keep them moist and in a warm location. For
most crops, germination of viable seed will occur within a week. If
half the seeds germinate and you have enough left to plant twice as
many as you usually do, you should get an adequate stand. Otherwise,
order more seed. It's a small investment to insure success.

# Order rhubarb, asparagus, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry etc.,
transplants for setting out in March.

# Want to grow asparagus from seed, but hate to wait the extra year
to harvest? Try seeding the asparagus indoors in late winter to get
two year's worth of growth in one season. Plant seeds 3/4 inch deep
in flats. Sow them 1 inch apart in rows 2 inches apart. Provide as
much natural light as possible and supplement it with fluorescent
lighting. Fertilize the seedlings every three weeks once they have
their true leaves.

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http://leckeys.net/hgp/janat.htm

Inspect electrical wiring for holiday decorations and replace faulty
cords and burned-out bulbs at sales.

Clean or replace the lint filter in your washing machine (it's
attached to the drain hose). You can buy a metal or mesh filter or
just use a piece of nylon stocking stretched over the drain hose.

Take a listen and look tour of your house. Hear any drippy faucets or
running toilets?

Take faulty parts from faucets and toilet tanks to your home center
or make a drawing so that clerks can help you replace what you need.
(then write down all part numbers and sizes)

Get bids for spring and summer remodeling projects now. Contractors
are hungry at this time and anxious to schedule work. You're likely
to get better prices.

Start a Home Maintenance file. Include names and phone numbers of
service professionals who've worked in your home. Use the file to
hold service contracts or invoices for work performed.

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January Gardening Tips:

http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/garden/january.htm

* When using salt to melt ice on walks and driveways, spread it
carefully to avoid damage to nearby shrubs. Consider using sand or
sawdust instead.

* Brush snow from evergreens as soon as possible after a storm. Use a
broom in an upward, sweeping motion. Serious damage may be caused by
heavy snow or ice accumulating on the branches.

* When pruning large limbs, always undercut first. This means to cut
from the bottom up, one-third of the way through the limb, then
finish by cutting from the top. The undercut keeps the limb from
splitting and breaking off, which could damage the trunk and become
an entryway for insects and diseases. Do not cut flush to the trunk,
the collar or enlarged base of a branch produces hormones that help
heal wounds.

* For easier lawn maintenance, eliminate the hard to mow spaces.
Eliminate acute angles in beds and borders. Combine single trees or
shrubs into a large planting connected with ground cover. Put the
bird bath in a flower bed or surround it with ground cover.

* Avoid heavy traffic on the dormant lawn. Dry grass is easily broken
and the crown of the plant may be severely damaged or killed.

* Review your vegetable garden plans. Perhaps a smaller garden with
fewer weeds and insects will give you more produce.

* When reviewing your garden catalogs for new vegetable varieties to
try, an important consideration is improved insect and/or disease
resistance. Watch also for drought-tolerant types.

* Analyze last year's planting, fertilizing and spraying records.
Make notes to reorder successful varieties as well as those you wish
to try again.

* Check stored fruits and vegetables such as potatoes and apples for
bad spots which may lead to decay. Remove and use those which show
signs of spoiling. Separate others into slotted trays or bins to
increase air circulation and reduce decay possibilities.

* To prolong bloom, protect poinsettias from drafts and keep them
moderately moist.

* Turn and prune house plants regularly to keep them shapely. Pinch
back new growth to promote bushy plants.

* Check all house plants closely for insect infestations. Quarantine
gift plants until you determine that they are not harboring any
pests.

* House plants and holiday gift plants should not be placed on top of
the television. This location is too warm and in most homes too far
from windows to provide adequate light.

* During the winter most houses are too dry for house plants.
Humidity may be increased by placing plants on trays lined with
pebbles and filled with water to within one half inch of the base of
the pot. If you heat with wood, keep a pot of water on the stove. The
added moisture will be healthier for you as well as your plants.

* House plants with large leaves and smooth foliage, such as
philodendrons, dracaena and rubber plant benefit if their leaves are
washed at intervals to remove dust and grime, helping keep the leaf
pores open.

* To clean crusty clay pots, add one cup each of white vinegar and
household bleach to a gallon of warm water and soak the pots. For
heavily crusted pots, scrub with a steel wool pad after soaking for
12 hours.

* If you have some time this winter, paint the handles of garden
tools red or orange. This will preserve the wood and make the tools
easier to locate next summer when you lay them down in the garden or
on the lawn.

* Move garden ornaments such as urns or jars into the garage or
basement to prevent damage during the cold winter season. If
containers are too large to move, cover them to prevent water
collecting in them or turn them upside down during the winter so
water will not collect and freeze in them causing breakage.

* Add garden record keeping to the list of New Year's resolutions.
Make a note of which varieties of flowers and vegetables do best and
which do poorly in your garden.

* Feed the birds regularly and see that they have water. Birds like
suet, fruit, nuts, and bread crumbs as well as bird seed.

* Do not wait until late in the winter to order seeds. Many varieties
sell out early.

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January Gardening Tips

http://www.alamancemagazine.com/jandgar.html

1. Check the condition of stored bulbs and tubers of dahlias,
tuberous begonias, caladiums and callas. Bulbs stored in warm, humid
conditions are prone to rot. Discard any that feel soft or rotten.

2. Use a magnifying glass to inspect both sides of the leaves of your
houseplants. Look for signs of insects. Sticky residue may indicate
the presence of mealy bugs or soft scale. Small, fine webs may
indicate spider mite infestation. Call the Alamance County
Cooperative Extension Office at 570-6740 for information on the
treatment of insect problems on houseplants.

3. Wipe dust from plants with smooth leaves with a damp cloth. Use a
cosmetic or soft paint brush to clean the hairy leaves of African
violets and gloxinia.

4. Group clean, insect-free houseplants to increase humidity during
these dry winter months. Mist the group periodically to enhance air
moisture.

5. Toward the end of this month, apply a dormant horticultural oil to
roses. Do this before bud break to smother insects and their eggs.
Read the label carefully for instructions for use.

6. Prevent ice from completely covering the surface of your water
garden during a hard freeze by tossing a rubber ball in the water. If
you missed your opportunity and the pond is already frozen over, set
a pot or kettle of hot water on the ice to melt a hole. Resist the
temptation to break the ice by striking it as the subsequent
vibration could be harmful to fish and plants.

7. If winter brings heavy snow your way, protect shrubs from damage
by using a broom to sweep snow accumulation from branches. Use an
upward motion to prevent further stress to bent boughs.

8. Postpone the pruning of overgrowth in shrubs and trees until later
next month. 9. Clean used terra cotta pots before replanting. Soak
them in a solution of vinegar and water then use a brush to remove
fertilizer salts and other residues. Rinse thoroughly with warm
water.

10. Review last year¹s gardening journal and layout this year¹s
garden design. Order plants and seeds and keep an eye toward crop
rotation to help prevent disease.

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January Lawn and Garden Tips

http://www.sweeneyseed.com/ssc_main_frames/tips_january.html

Lawn Tips

1. Be careful to stay off grass when frozen.
2. Apply pelletized lime and gypsum.
3. Visit your nearest Sweeney Store or check the site on the left
for the Pro Golf Quality Lawn Programs Schedule.

Vegetable & Flower Garden Tips

1. Apply limestone and soil amendments such as Dehydrated Manure.
2. Burpee Seeds for 2003 are in our stores at 50% OFF! (no King of
Prussia)
3. Mulch with The Real Bark two inches thick.

Wild Bird Feeding Tips

1. We stock over 100 of the best bird feeders available at 15%
OFF!
2. Now is the time to set up BirdHouses to catch those wild birds
looking for spring nesting sites.
3. Feed with Sweeney’s Superior Wild Bird Food (50% Sunflower
Seed).
4. Supply a thistle seed feeder for Goldfinches.
5. Always keep fresh water available with a deicer in your
birdbath.

Wildflower Tips

1. Dormant seed existing beds to enhance this year’s flowering.
2. Apply pelletized limestone and gypsum.
3. Apply Dehydrated Manure.

Tree & Shrub Garden Tips

1. Prune roses and spray with lime sulphur and dormant oil (40
degrees +).
2. Apply Dehydrated Manure. Apply limestone to raise pH and
sulphur to lower pH.

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LIVING ECOLOGICALLY AND OTHER JANUARY GARDENING TIPS
By Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor

Dr. Vern Grubinger, Extension Associate Professor
University of Vermont

http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/jan00tip.htm

With the start of a new century, why not resolve to live a more
ecological lifestyle? Do you recycle and compost household waste? If
so, that's a good start. But there's more you can do.

How about growing more food in your garden? That can save trips to
the supermarket and improve the nutrition of your family. Planning
ahead will help you garden without the use of pesticides.

When leafing through the onslaught of seed catalogs that arrive in
your mailbox this month, look for varieties that are
disease-resistant. Why? You're less likely to need fungicides. Think
about the pests that frequent certain crops every year, such as flea
beetles, cucumber beetles, and Colorado potato beetles. Order plenty
of floating row covers now, so you'll be prepared to keep these pests
off the plants early in the season without having to spray.
If you do have to apply a pesticide, consider low-impact sprays like
Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) or insecticidal soap. More toxic
pesticides should only be used as a last resort, and then always
follow label directions carefully.

If you are planning to landscape your property this spring, consider
plants that work well with the environment. For example, choose
ground covers for steep slopes to prevent soil erosion. Deciduous
trees will offer natural air conditioning along the sunnier sides of
your house.

To help reduce water use, think about purchasing drought-resistant
varieties, if available. Use drip irrigation systems instead of
overhead sprinklers to conserve water and reduce the incidence of
foliar diseases. Using plastic for mulching helps plants retain
moisture--and keeps the weeds down--without the use of herbicides.

There also are a few environmentally friendly things you can do this
winter. When clearing snow from sidewalks and driveways, don't pile
it near plants or shrubs or where melting snow will drain. When the
snow melts, generously flush the area around roots exposed to salt
with water. Or better yet, use kitty litter or wood ashes from the
stove to "de-ice" your walkways.

If you had a Christmas tree, "recycle" it by putting it in the
backyard to provide shelter for birds and small animals. Or take it
to a landfill that accepts trees for "chipping" into mulch.
You can use branches from the tree or evergreen boughs used for
holiday decorations to provide additional protection for your
landscape plants, especially if snow cover is light. The pine needles
can be used to make an aromatic pot pourri.

Recycling also comes into play if you are repotting houseplants.
Instead of buying new terra cotta or plastic pots, search your attic,
basement, or local flea market for unusual containers. Decorative
food tins (rinsed well), old boots, small kitchen appliances, and
even children's toys all make interesting containers for plants.

A few words of caution though. Plants need good drainage to thrive.
For best results, make a small hole at the bottom of the container.
If this isn't possible, then place a shallow layer of pebbles on the
bottom of the container, and plant in small pots and place these
inside. If using metal containers, select plants that don't require
direct sunlight as the sun will heat up the container and "fry" the
roots.

Other activities for January: get in shape for gardening by taking
winter walks; sign up for a gardening class; read a new gardening
book.

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January Tips

http://www.heritagelandscaping.com/januarytips.htm

Start off your garden year right by laying the foundation for a great
garden.
Leaf Disposal and Tool Care -- Clean up and fix up before plants
really get growing. Rake leaves, pull obvious weeds, spruce up and
sharpen hand tools and power tools.

* Take the lawn mower in for a tune-up and blade-sharpening, or
do it yourself, being sure to change the oil and clean or change the
filter. A great tip is to keep an extra mower blade. Blades need to
be sharpened three or four times during the growing season, so you
can always have one on hand while the other is at the shop -- or on
your workbench.

Planting Bare-Root Trees, Shrubs and Roses -- Once the ground is
well-thawed, you can plant bare-root trees and shrubs as well as
bare-root roses.

Planting Trees and Shrubs -- Plant container-grown trees, shrubs,
perennial herbs, ground covers, and perennial flowers as long as
you're within at least one month of your region's last frost date.
You can get a general idea by clicking on our map, but to find out
precisely, contact us here.

If you haven't already, fill in bare spots with cool-season annuals
(those annuals that thrive when temperatures are seldom lower than 35
and seldom higher than 80 or 85 F), such as pansies and snapdragons.

Pruning Roses -- Prune deciduous fruit trees and also prune roses.
Spray both them with horticultural oil to prevent insect problems
later.

Pruning Trees and Shrubs -- Prune trees and prune shrubs. Be careful
with flowering trees and shrubs -- you don't want to trim off
developing buds. But do trim late-summer or fall-blooming trees and
shrubs, including abelia, mimosa, cassia, oleander, crape myrtle,
princess flower (also called tibouchina), golden rain tree and
hibiscus. As a rule of thumb, otherwise, prune flowering shrubs and
trees within a month after they stop blooming.

Houseplant Basics -- Houseplant growth this month is slow, so don't
fertilize and keep watering to a minimum.

Deadhead camellia blossoms and pick up fallen blossoms to prevent
disease problems.

Start Seeds Indoors -- Start seeds indoors if you like for
warm-season annuals, such as tomatoes, marigolds, peppers, cosmos,
zucchini, impatiens, salvia, basil, and others. Otherwise, wait until
all chance of freezing temperatures has passed and buy established
seedlings at the Heritage Garden Center.

* Cut branches from forsythia, redbud, quince, flowering cherry,
pussy willows, and other spring-blooming shrubs and trees to force
indoors. Simply cut branches of flowering woody plants once you can
spot the tiny developing buds. Submerge the branches in cold water
(like the tub) for a couple hours or up to a full day. Then stick
just the ends in a bucket of cold water about a foot deep for a week
in a cool (no warmer than 60 degrees F) spot. Arrange in a vase, put
in a warm room, and watch the buds open over the next few days.

Garden Projects -- Now is an excellent time to start some of those
garden hammer-and-nail projects you've been wanting to do --
windowboxes, planters, arbors, and more.

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January travel tips
Less travelers cut the rates
By Jim Kasuba, The News-Herald
PUBLISHED: December 29, 2004

http://www.thenewsherald.com/stories/122904/loc_20041229001.shtml

For those who know how to stretch a buck, it's a great time to head
for warmer climes. With postholiday traditionally the slowest travel
period of the year, January trips can be some of the most affordable.
After the Christmas and New Year's holidays are over, the last thing
on most people's minds is travel.

It's the dead of winter, the snowdrifts are piling as high as the
credit card bills, and it's time to go back to work or school.

But for those who know how to stretch a buck, it's a great time to
head for warmer climes.

With post holiday traditionally the slowest travel period of the
year, January trips can be some of the most affordable.

Marge Ballheim, owner of Fantasy Travel Inc. in Wyandotte, said the
first week in January often offers some of the best deals of the
year; however, the entire month offers excellent airfares and cruise
packages.

"When people call looking for a winter vacation, I tell them they can
find some really good deals throughout the month of January,"
Ballheim said. "In February, you start getting into spring break, and
Easter falls earlier this year, coming at the end of March."

Some people have gotten wise to this and even give vacations to their
loved ones as Christmas presents, Ballheim said. They get a good deal
on the price and an early January trip is so close after the holidays
that it feels like a real Christmas present.

Because winter travel can be risky due to severe storms, Ballheim
recommends to her customers that they take out insurance should they
need to cancel. However, she said, it's always a good policy to do
so.

"You can run into weather problems in April or hurricanes in the
summer," she said.

The very best deals are those that customers have to act on fast,
Ballheim said. Deals will pop up that involve a purchase that day in
order to get a rock-bottom price. Those wanting to save a lot of
money often have to commit to a trip on a moment's notice.

Ballheim said January trips tend to be taken to locations deep in the
south, as in the Caribbean and tourist destinations in Mexico.
Florida can be a bit chilly in January, she said, with temperatures
occasionally dipping into the 40s and even lower, depending on
location. The Sunshine State is a more popular destination in
February and March as temperatures begin to climb.

Janice Ciotti is a home-based agent for Cruises Inc., with corporate
offices in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Working out of her Allen Park home,
Ciotti specializes in booking cruise packages.

Ciotti, who has worked for the city of Allen Park for 29 years and
has taken on the travel industry as a second career, is a master
cruise counselor who said her passion for cruising made this a
natural choice for her.

Ciotti said Caribbean cruises tend to be the most popular in January,
with some retired people with more time to spend heading to South
America.

Sounding like a disciple of the cruise line industry, Ciotti touts
cruises as the best value for your dollar.

"Everything is included (food, lodging, etc.)," Ciotti said. "It's a
considerable savings compared to land-based vacations."

Though January can be a slightly slow period even for the cruise
industry, Ciotti said the first three months of the year are the
busiest times for booking vacations later in the year.

Both Ballheim and Ciotti agree that the travel industry has rebounded
from the dark days following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Ballheim said business was so poor that several area travel agencies
went out of business. Her company, which has been in Wyandotte for
almost 25 years, survived the rough patches by adjusting, she said.

"That first year was really bad," Ballheim said. "People did take
trips, but they were close to home. Most people feel it is time to
get started again."

Ciotti said the cruise industry wasn't hurt to the same extent as the
airline industry, but fewer fliers often meant fewer cruises because
many people choose to fly to the ports where they board the ships.

One way the cruise industry adapted was by opening more ports in
different locations, such as Seattle or Mobile, Ala., Ciotti said.
The thought was that more ports made it easier for those wishing to
drive to the port as opposed to flying there.

Ciotti added that cruise ships always have had tight security, even
before 9/11, but it's tighter now, something that should make those
who enjoy cruises feel a little more secure.