Fresno Gardening Green

As of the writing of this blog at the end of January, the Fresno/Clovis/Madera region has received only 2.79 inches of rain so far this water season, less that 25 percent of the yearly average of 11.01 inches.

Try grafting new fruit tree varieties onto your existing trees. Fruit of the same species are easily grafted together - peach onto peach, plum onto plum. Tasks Irrigate citrus and almonds at night if frost is expected.

It is finally time to start pruning your roses! In last month's column, I talked about pruning safety: wearing gloves, sleeves that cover your arms to protect them from thorns, wearing eye protection, etc. I also wrote about preparing your bypass pruners by sharpening them and keeping them clean.

Ornamental and fruit-bearing trees will begin to bloom in February in home gardens and along the Blossom Trail in eastern Fresno County. Tasks Check your sprinklers and turn them off when the amount of rain permits. Make sure trees are getting enough water.

Every year around Super Bowl season, many Fresno gardeners will apply a preemergent herbicide to their lawns so crabgrass won't germinate when the weather warms up.