Mistletoe is easiest to see after tree leaves have fallen. Prune the branch with mistletoe a foot below the cluster to remove the parasite's roots. (Photo: UC IPM)

• 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.

Pruning

• Wait to prune spring-flowering plants until after bloom - deciduous magnolias, spiraea, azaleas, and camellias.
• Do not apply any treatments to pruning cuts or other wounds, because these materials are ineffective and often detrimental to plant health.

Fertilizing

• No fertilization is recommended this month.

Planting

• Bare root plants started now, while they are dormant, will have the full advantage of the spring growing season and will be well established during the coming year.
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: cyclamen, dahlia.
• Fruits and vegetables: bare root cane berries, garlic, leek.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: dianthus, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), toadflax (Linaria maroccana), stock (Matthiola).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: snowdrop (Galanthus), narcissus.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: camellia, Hawthorne (Crataegus).
• Fruits and vegetables: avocado, grapefruit, kumquat, pomegranate.

Things to ponder

• Look through garden books for landscaping ideas using drought-tolerant or water-wise plants.
• Avoid overhead watering if frost is expected.

Orange clock vine adds color to the winter garden. This specimen - pictured Dec. 5, 2024, at the Clovis Botanical Garden - was planted by UC Master Gardener Rodger Pachebel. (Photo: Jeannette Warnert)

Tasks

• Apply pre-emergent herbicide to lawns and beds later this month.
• Deep-water trees and native plants if rainfall has been light.

Pruning

• This is the time to work on dormant, deciduous plants - shrubs, vines, grapes, and roses, plus fruit and nut trees.
• Crepe myrtles and redbuds may be pruned now.
• Cut back and divide perennials.

Fertilizing

• No fertilization is recommended this month.
• When you do fertilize, always read labels carefully before application. Consult a plant expert at a nursery or a Master Gardener if you have questions.

Planting:

• This is the beginning of bare-root planting season. It is difficult to visualize the potential of bare-root plants, but they usually come with pictures to give you an idea.
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: canna and crocosmia.
• Fruits and vegetables: asparagus, cabbage, and bare-root berries.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: azalea and camellia.

Enjoy now:

• Annuals and perennials: snapdragon (Antirrhinum), calendula, and Chrysanthemum Paludosum, Holiday cactus (Schlumbergera).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: crocus and cyclamen.
• Fruits and vegetables: beets, bok choy, chives, and mandarin oranges.

Things to ponder:

• This is a good time to look through seed catalogs.
• Wood ashes are not beneficial in the garden as they increase soil alkalinity.

Sow seeds now to enjoy California native wildflowers in your garden next spring. (Photo: U.S. National Park Service)

Tasks

• Monitor rainfall and adjust automatic sprinklers accordingly. If rainfall is adequate, warm-season grasses require no supplemental irrigation.
• Spray stone-fruit, apple, pear, nut and flowering trees and roses with dormant oil spray.
• Now that the soil is cool and damp, sow seeds of spring wildflowers such as California poppy, clarkia, and cornflower.

Pruning

• Remove leaves from roses to force them into dormancy in preparation for pruning next month.
• Prune out fire blight infections. Cut the infected shoot or branch at its point of origin.

Fertilizing

• Fertilize cool-season annuals, perennials and vegetables with a light, high-nitrogen or organic fertilizer.

Planting

• This is not a big planting month unless you have purchased plants or bulbs and have not yet planted them.
• Fruits and vegetables: radishes, spinach, plant from seed.
• Annuals: forget-me-not (Myosotis), Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule), fairy primrose (Primula malacoides).

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: stock (Matthiola), Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: paperwhite (Narcissus).
• Trees, shrubs, vines: heavenly bamboo (Nandina) Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba).
• Fruits and vegetables: persimmons, potatoes, Savoy cabbage, snow peas.

Things to ponder

• Be alert for frost warnings and cover tender plants when freezing temperatures are expected. Apply a layer of mulch to protect roots of vulnerable plants.
• Amaryllis bulbs will bloom indoors and may do well planted outside with some shade and rich, well-drained soil.

Enjoy the fresh scent and beautiful colors of rain in the garden this weekend. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Tasks

• Water citrus trees well now to produce a good crop next year.
• Check and improve drainage around plants in low areas.
• Monitor rainfall and adjust water accordingly to keep soil moist for new plantings.

Pruning

• Cut back chrysanthemums to 6 inches.
• Prune back spent wisteria canes.
• Do not apply any treatments to pruning cuts or other plant wounds because these materials are ineffective and often detrimental.

Fertilizing

• Fertilize cool-season annuals, perennials and vegetables with a light, high-nitrogen or organic fertilizer.

Planting

• Bare-root planting season begins this month. Consider the hardiness of the rootstock when selecting bare-root fruit trees.
• Citrus, avocado, and other frost-tender plants should be planted in spring after the danger of frost has passed.
• Fruits and vegetables: asparagus (transplant), onions, parsley.
• Annuals: toadflax (Linaria maroccana), stock (Matthiola incana).

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: toadflax (Linaria maroccana).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: paperwhite (Narcissus).
• Trees, shrubs, vines: holly (Ilex), Koreanspice (Viburnum carlesii).
• Fruits and vegetables: Brussels sprouts, citrus, sweet potatoes.

Things to ponder

• Use trimmings of magnolias, juniper, pine and redwoods for holiday greens. Deodar cedar, spruce and western hemlock lose needles quickly.