Friday, December 29, 2006

January Gardening Tips for the Southwest

Well here's wishing you a Happy New Year! This is still a great month you work on your garden (if it's not too cold for you). Here's a list of suggested task for January.
Water once or twice this month, yes even plants that are dormant.
Use dormant oil on plants, and trees that lose their leaves during winter.
Intead of raking up all the fallen leaves, try incorporating them back into your soil or start up a compost pile. (compost maker is available)
Prune all dormant plants now, keep in mind the best rule of thumb for pruning is to have a reason for every cut you make!
Prune roses now thru early February (stop buy for a pruning lesson).
Fertilize your fescue, blugrass, or ryegrass lawn if it not looking as green as is should. Use 16-8-8 with iron, zinc and sulphur now.
Our roses should be ready to plant by mid January so hurry for best selection. We carry Jackson & Perkins roses.
Do not cut back oleander just yet. It is best to wait until late March.
Plant fruit and shade trees now to help establish roots before our hot dry winds begin.
Don't forget now is the time to plant pansies, snapdragon, viola, calendula, primrose, and perennials. These items will begin to arrive weekly at your local nurseries.