Oak galls form in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes when chemicals produced by the larva of wasps are injected into oak leaves, branches or twigs. (Illustration: “Alternating generations; a biological study of oak galls and gall flies,” 1894, University of California Libraries)

Tasks

• Cut warm-season grasses short and over-seed with cool season grasses – annual or perennial rye or fine fescue. Better yet – let them go dormant to save water and mowing.
• Check and improve drainage around plants in low areas.
• Add fallen leaves, chipped trimmings and garden debris to compost.
• Remember that plants in containers or beds under covered areas may not receive adequate water from rainfall and may require supplemental irrigation in fall and winter.
• Use organic mulch around permanent plants and add organic matter to the soil to prepare beds for spring planting.

Pruning

• Dispose of diseased wood by discarding in the trash.

Fertilizing

• Feed cool-weather plants and vegetables.
• Add bulb fertilizer to planting holes before planting bulbs.

Planting

• Tulip and hyacinth bulbs that have been chilled for 6 weeks may be planted now.
• Sow wildflowers or grasses on hillsides to prevent erosion in heavy rains.
• Perennials: coral bells (Heuchera).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: Hyacinthus orientalis.
• Fruits and vegetables: cabbage, peas, spinach (plant from seed).
• Annuals: toadflax (Linaria maroccana), stock (Matthiola incana).
• Trees, shrubs, vines: Indian hawthorne (Rhaphiolepsis).

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: stock (Matthiola) African daisy (Osteospermum).
• Fruit and vegetables: Asian pears, chard, nectarines, peas, peppers.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: holly (Ilex), Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum), Nandina.
• Fall color: crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), sweet gum (Liquidambar).

Things to ponder

• Do not use lime sulfur spray on apricots or walnuts.