A GARDENER’S ALMANAC
JANUARY
Plant bare-root roses, berries, grapes and fruit trees. Nurseries are loaded with these bargain plants.
Prune deciduous fruit trees. Don’t prune roses until after the 15th.
FEBRUARY
Expect rain (historically it’s our rainiest month).
Plant early varieties of tomatoes in warmest areas--areas not too cold in winter or too foggy in spring.
Fertilize citrus late in month; fertilize deciduous fruit trees before buds swell.
MARCH
Plant azaleas and camellias while in bloom.
A good time to fertilize just about everything.
Prune fuchsias, removing most of what grew the previous summer.
APRIL
Warm, dry season begins; it lasts until end of August.
Plant citrus now through May.
Begin summer vegetable garden. Choices: beets, carrots, chayote, corn, cucumbers, leaf lettuce, melons, peppers, pumpkins, radishes, summer and winter squash, sunflowers, Swiss chard.
Begin planting summer bedding plants, such as marigolds and impatiens.
MAY
May 4-5: Baldwin Bonanza Plant Sale.
May 19: Huntington Plant Sale
JUNE
Plant pumpkins for jack-o’-lanterns June 10-15.
June 21, the longest day of the year; take note of the shadiest nooks of the garden while the sun is its highest and shadows the shortest.
JULY
The slowest month in the gardener’s year, but there is still watering to do. Spritzing plants to cool them off on hot days is OK but not a substitute for deep and thorough irrigation.
AUGUST
Plant or divide bearded iris.
Great time to start seeds for fall-planted flowers (including perennials) and vegetables.
Plant sweet peas before Labor Day (Sept. 2).
SEPTEMBER
Begin planting fall/winter vegetable garden. Choices: beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, leeks, head and leaf lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips.
OCTOBER
Cool season begins, lasts until March; expect Santa Ana winds, maybe rain.
Fall planting begins about Oct. 15, the best time to plant almost anything.
Plant spring-blooming bulbs and bedding plants like pansies and freesias. Buy tulips now but keep in fridge until December.
Overseed Bermuda lawns with annual rye.
NOVEMBER
Plant wildflowers and native plants.
Spray leafless deciduous fruit trees with dormant sprays.
DECEMBER
Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year; note where long winter shadows fall.
Cut back and divide perennials. A good time to dig and move plants.
Plant tulips that have been in fridge.
