Fresno Gardening Green

A wide variety of citrus fruits brighten winter gardens and winter menus this month. Tasks Control cool-season weeds before they mature and go to seed. Plants planted last spring and fall may need water if rainfall has been inadequate.

In a recent TikTok video, a woman's holiday baking spree came to a halt when she discovered bugs in her flour. While initially alarmed, the woman was also intrigued.

Plan now for New Year's resolutions for the garden. Check gardening books for ideas. Tasks Spray apricots and walnuts with horticultural oil and fixed copper. Provide frost protection. Move or cover tender plants. Use floating row covers or fabric, and uncover plants during the day.

Hairy vetch is going strong this winter in a small planting bed at the UC Master Gardener's Garden of the Sun, a demonstration garden in central Fresno. Hairy vetch, common vetch, sweet clover and crimson clover are types of green manure.

Tasks Remove fallen camellia blossoms promptly to prevent petal blight on next year's flowers. Mistletoe is very difficult to control because reinfestation occurs from nearby infected trees. An infected branch must be removed at its points of origin and at least 1 foot below the cluster.