Tasks
- Irrigate citrus and almonds at night if frost is expected.
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide in early February to flower beds and water-permeable paths.
- Provide frost protection. Move or cover tender plants. Use floating row covers or fabric and uncover plants during the day. Plastic is not recommended.
Pruning
- It is now or never for pruning hydrangeas. Remove a third of the old wood for maximum bloom.
- Prune evergreen shrubs such as pittosporum, podocarpus, euonymus, lavender, sage, buddleja, rosemary.
Fertilizing
- Apply one-third of the needed annual amount of fertilizer to deciduous fruit, nut and citrus trees. They need feeding two to three weeks before bloom.
- Fertilize annuals and perennials that were planted in the fall.
Planting
- Make certain a plant's basic sun and shade needs are considered before planting.
- Bare root planting season ends in early February.
- Perennials: Lenten rose (Helleborus), Salvia ‘Rose Pink' (Salvia greggii), Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow', Euporbia ‘martini'
- Perennial Grasses: Needle Grass (Nassella), Pink Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris), purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum').
- Fruits and vegetables: potatoes and rhubarb.
- Annuals: phlox drummondii, plant from seed.
- Trees, shrubs, vines: sweet gum (Liquidambar), Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis), Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum).
Enjoy now
- Annuals and perennials: annual phlox drummondii, sweet peas.
- Bulbs, corms, tubers: hyacinth (Hyacinthus).
- Trees, shrubs, vines: forsythia.
- Fruits and vegetables: navel oranges, spinach, chard.
Things to ponder
- In years when rainfall is below normal, consider planting drought-tolerant plants. Look for native or Mediterranean labels.
- When forsythia begins to bloom, apply pre-emergent herbicide to your lawn to prevent crabgrass.