Plant Iceland poppy transplants now for stand-out spring flowers. (Photo: Pxhere)

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

Source: Adapted from A Gardener's Companion for the Central San Joaquin Valley, 3rd edition, currently available from Fresno County Master Gardeners for $30. These can be purchased at our demonstration garden - Garden of the Sun (1750 N. Winery (McKinley/Winery), open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 am to noon, and via email at mgfresno@ucdavis.edu. Gardening questions answered as well at mgfresno@ucdavis.edu. 

Water citrus now to produce a good crop next year. Wait until spring to plant new citrus trees. (Photo: USDA)

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)

When lots of rain is in the forecast, turn off the automatic sprinklers. But when it's dry, don't forget to provide water for new plantings. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

• 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

When shopping for the holidays, consider gifts of gardening tools. (Photo: Alabama Extension)

Tasks

• Monitor ground moisture, especially in beds and under eaves and patios
• Store unused fertilizers and pesticides in a dry place
• Dig and divide overcrowded dahlia tubers and store in a cool, dry place. Replant in late February

Pruning

• Remove dead foliage and stems from dormant perennials
• Prune junipers during cool weather to prevent sunburn
• Prune and trellis caneberries

Fertilizing

• Feed cool weather plants and vegetables

Planting

• The time for fall planting is coming to an end
• Order bare-root roses and perennials from gardening websites or catalogs
• Fruits and vegetables: Lettuce, peas, edible pod peas - plant from seed or six-packs
• Trees, shrubs, vines: fig, walnut (Juglans), crabapple (Malus)
• Annuals: larkspur (Consolida), flowering kale

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: cyclamen, dianthus
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: paperwhite (Narcissus)
• Trees, shrubs, vines: barberry (Berberis)
• Fruits and vegetables: cauliflower, comice pears

Things to ponder

• Enjoy the quiet of the winter garden
• At the end of the month, apply dormant oil spray to deciduous fruit with copper fungicides, to control shot hole disease on twigs
• Avoid overhead irrigation if frost is expected

Historic frost dates

• Zone 8: November 15 through March 15
• Zone 9: December 15 through February 15

Shorter days mean there is less time to spend in the garden. Peruse gardening websites, magazines and seed catalogs instead

Protect citrus when nighttime temperatures fall below freezing. (Photo: Pixabay)

Tasks

• Stake newly planted trees in windy areas
• Clean up debris to eliminate hiding places for pests (if necessary). Or consider leaving fallen leaves and debris where they are, as many beneficial insects lay their eggs in the leaf litter. It also serves as a natural mulch
• Irrigate citrus trees at night if frost is expected. Damage to citrus varies with variety and fruit ripeness
• Continue to irrigate if weather remains dry

Pruning

• Do not top or prune trees severely in an attempt to avoid raking leaves! Extreme pruning will disfigure trees and shorten their lives

Discard diseased wood

• Leaf fall is the time to start pruning, except for apricot, oleander and olive trees, which should have been pruned in August

Fertilizing

• Add bulb fertilizer to planting holes before planting bulbs

Plant the beautiful perennial Rose of Sharon (hibiscus) in the fall. (Photo: HeungSoon from Pixabay)

Planting

• Fall planting ends this month. The soil will cool rapidly, which will slow root growth
• If you wish to transplant trees in the fall, it is best to wait until December or January when deciduous and evergreen trees are dormant
• Perennials: dianthus, euphorbia, kalanchoe, red hot poker (Kniphofia)
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: Snowdrop (Galanthus), snowflake (Leucojum), tulip (Tulipa), Watsonia
• Fruits and vegetables: bulb and green onions, strawberry
• Annuals: Love-in-a-mist (Nigella), primrose (Primula), pansy (Viola)
• Trees, shrubs, vines: sedge (Carex), Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus), bay laurel (Laurus)

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: Mexican blue sage (Salvia leucantha), ‘Pink Muhly' (Muhlenbergia capillaris), pincushion flower (Scabiosa)
• Fruits and vegetables: Asian pears, kale, pomegranate, persimmon, winter squash
• Trees, shrubs, vines: lantana, viburnum
• Fall color: Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis), Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)

Things to ponder

• Calendula petals (fresh or dried) can be used as a substitute for saffron to color rice or flavor soups and stews

Drought tip

• Landscape watering in many areas is now restricted to one day per week.  Check your city's policy for its winter irrigation schedule