It’s January -- time to grab a shovel

January is such A good time to plant, you can put in a California native and almost walk away from it during this wintry month. Remember, most of the rains are still ahead and will help natives take hold before our brutal summer arrives.

Try wildflowers

This is one of the best months to scatter seeds on weed-free ground if you’d like a whole meadow or even just a patch or two. Growing California poppies is easier than falling down. But baby blue eyes, clarkia, gilia and several others aren’t difficult either, if you don’t bury the seed too deeply and make sure there are no competing weeds. Your plot won’t rival Lancaster, but you’ll be pleased. The Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley is one good source of true wildflower seed.

Be grabby

Go after weeds before they become hard to get out. Most winter weeds are short-lived annuals, so you can hoe them out. Just be sure to rake them up or they’ll re-root in the moist soil. These annual weeds can be added to the compost pile before they make seed.

Hold the water

Think twice before watering anything in the ground. Chances are they don’t need it, because plants, even lawns, are slow to dry out during these cool, short days. Death by drowning instead of by drought is more likely at this time of year.

Blessed are the roses

Plant roses this month; you’ll find nurseries full of them. If you buy bare-root plants, be sure to ask for directions on the proper way to plant these bargains. Most nurseries have printed handouts. Away from the coast, you might want to wait until mid-month or February to prune roses, so you don’t prompt new growth that will be promptly killed by a late frost.

A good apple

Nurseries have their best selection of deciduous fruit trees right now, things such as apples and apricots. Just be sure the particular variety you buy will bear fruit in our mild climate: Many need cold winters. Flip open a copy of the Sunset Western Garden Book and make sure, before leaving the nursery or retailer. Some national chains sell questionable choices for our area.

Tread lightly

Don’t walk on wet soils. Stay out of garden beds for several days after a rain or you will compact that carefully prepared soil into something resembling asphalt. If you must get into a garden bed -- to prune a rose, for instance -- put down a wide board to stand on to cushion the weight.