Tasks
- Continue fruit tree spraying and spray fungicide on apple and cherry trees.
- Weed by hand-pulling, hoeing, or if there is no alternative, apply herbicide on a calm day so that spray will not drift.
Pruning
- After bloom, prune spring?flowering shrubs, trees and vines to improve shape.
- Shear back ornamental grasses and ground covers such as lantana, verbena, Asian jasmine and vinca.
- Shape hedges.
Fertilizing
- Apply one third of the needed amount of fertilizer to deciduous fruit and nut trees.
- Wait until after bloom to fertilize acid-loving plants and use a product formulated for them.
- Fertilize blooming ornamental deciduous trees 2 or 3 weeks after bloom.
Planting
- Sow seeds for summer vegetables. Although many vegetables can be planted this month, tomatoes, summer squash and beans are better planted later in spring.
- Annuals: impatiens, alyssum (Lobularia), plant from seed.
- Bulbs, corms, tubers: tiger flower (Tigridia).
- Fruits and vegetables: daikon, eggplant, melon, carrots, plant from seed.
- Perennials: Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), coral bells (Heuchera), gayfeather (Liatris).
- Trees, shrubs, vines: California lilac (Ceanothus), deodar (Cedrus deodara), redbud (Cercis occidentalis), citrus.
Enjoy now
- Annuals and perennials: dianthus, Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis).
- Bulbs, corms, tubers: grape hyacinth (Muscari), ‘Paper White' narcissus.
- Trees, shrubs, vines: saucer magnolia, star magnolia.
- Fruits and vegetables: lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas.
Things to ponder
- Protect tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant from a late frost by using hot caps or floating row covers.