Roses grow to different heights depending on the variety - from the lower landscape/shrub roses and floribundas to the taller hybrid tea and grandifloras. Keep this in mind when placing roses in your garden.

Tasks

• · Rainfall may not reach areas under eaves and overhangs. Check soil moisture and apply supplemental water if needed.
• · Apply preemergent herbicide to lawns and beds in the latter part of the month to control crabgrass and other early germinating weeds.

Pruning

• · Finish pruning roses and deciduous fruit trees by the end of the month.
• · At bud swell spray deciduous fruit, almond trees, and roses with dormant oil to prevent and control over-wintering insects.
• · Prune out fire blight infections. Remove the infected shoot or branch at its point of origin.

Fertilizing

• · Fertilize spring-flowering perennials, annuals, bulbs, and shrubs.
• · Yellow foliage, particularly the youngest leaves, may be attributed to iron deficiency. Yellowing in older leaves may be attributed to nitrogen deficiency.

Planting

• · Group plants with similar water needs together.
• · This is a good time to move perennials, shrubs, or small trees.
• · Spring planting season begins next month. Work on your garden plans and be ready to start next month.

Enjoy now

· Annuals and perennials: feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium), toadflax (Linaria maroccana), cyclamen.

· Citrus fruits are abundant now - use them to brighten up the winter menu.

Things to ponder

· Leave frost-damaged growth on tender plants as protection until the danger of frost is past. Begin pruning as new growth emerges.