Pest and Disease control:

Spray horticultural oil on pruned fruit trees to control scale, mites and aphids. Thorough coverage will kill over-wintering eggs.

Later in the month, spray neem oil on roses to control mildew, rust, and black spot. Do not apply oils unless there will be 24 hours of dry weather following application.

Be sure to clean up debris (leaves and twigs) around roses and fruit trees to help prevent disease.

Pruning:

Roses, fruit trees and other perennials can be pruned this month.

Do not prune spring flowering shrubs until after they bloom.

Prune berry canes that bore fruit last year to the ground.

Prune grapevines back, leaving 2 to 3 buds per side shoot.

Order seeds for this year's vegetable and flower garden.