The Stanislaus Sprout

I grew up around roses. My mother had a rather large rose garden, which was her happy place, where she spent many hours tending to her beloved roses.

Happy winter fellow gardeners, I hope this message finds you well! Last summer we asked Stanislaus County residents to take a quick survey if they have taken one of our classes, visited our booth at a local event, or spoke to us on our Help Line regarding a gardening question.

We are now in the midst of winter with its often foggy and dreary days. Many trees are bare, most insects are dormant, and numerous bird species have flown south, so our gardens can seem gray, bare, and quiet. However, some birds spend winters here, so there are still some bright spots.

As of January 1, 2025, pesticides containing neonicotinoids will not be available for sale in retail nurseries and garden centers in the state of California. In addition, this group of pesticides cannot be possessed or used by unlicensed applicators.

There is still time to prune fruit trees if you haven't done so already. Why is pruning fruit trees so important? Proper pruning improves the look and health of trees and improves the production of fruit. This post will focus on deciduous fruit trees. For information on citrus, see below*.