Garden Jobs

Things to do this week:

* Continue planting roses, fruit trees. Bare root bargains are still available at nurseries, even in they are not truly “bare root” and are in pots. Some nurseries sell them this way so the roots cannot dry out, or get too wet (which sometimes happens when they are wrapped in plastic). If you want all the advantages of bare root planting, some growers suggest simply unpotting the plants in January, knocking the soil off and planting in the traditional bare root fashion.

* Plant bare root vegetables. Roots of artichoke, asparagus and rhubarb are at nurseries this month. This is an inexpensive way to plant them. You’ll also find transplants of many winter vegetables--such as broccoli and lettuce--plus bulbs of garlic, onion and shallots.

This is not a good month to sow seed in the garden because the chilly nights make germination difficult.

* Plant gladioli. You can start planting gladioli corms now and continue into late spring, but planted early they are less likely to get the flower-deforming thrips.

* Control weeds now. Get a jump on weeds in lawns by using what are called pre-emergent herbicides, that prevent seeds (of all kinds) from germinating. Since summer weeds sprout soon, now is a good time to use a pre-emergent, usually found mixed with fertilizers in bags, but also available separately. Some kinds also work in ground cover and other plantings.