january jobs in scv garden
Now we’re through the holidays, it’s time to start working on the winter garden. With deciduous (leaf-dropping) trees and shrubs dormant, it’s the best time to prune them. Sap flows slowly so the impact of cuts is lessened. Trees do not heal as we do. They do not regenerate lost cells. That means that a cut is permanent. A tree will grow new shoots to compensate for loss, but it will not grow back a limb. There are two lessons to learn from this. One, don’t cut more than necessary. Making too many cuts often encourages a tree to send out way too many weak, whip-like shoots to compensate the loss. Two, you have some control over the shape of a tree when you prune judiciously.
Chose trees wisely in accordance with their natural size and shape. You will not be successful at trying to prune a naturally broad tree to keep it narrow or a tall one to keep it short. It will be hard on both you and the tree. But you can guide a tree’s natural growth with pruning. Encourage a tall tree by pruning out weaker limbs competing for the main straight shoot while the tree is young. This is called “single-heading”. Most fruit trees need pruning while young.
January gardening in Santa Clarita
Trees like peach, apricot and plum fruit best if kept stubby by cutting back long thin branches. Prune them to be open in the middle, vase shaped, so the sun can reach fruit in the center of the tree. All trees handle our enthusiastic winds better if dead, crossing and weak branches are removed. Tree pruning is a complicated subject and worth consulting experts — especially with mature trees — or researching in depth since different trees have different needs.
Deciduous shrubs also benefit from being cut back in the winter. Perennials that die back to the ground can be cleaned up, dried foliage composed, or the foliage can be left for frost protection until later in the season. Make sure it’s cleaned up by spring, however, before insects and rodents decide to use it for homes and nesting material. Plants like Buddleia (Butterfly plant) can be pruned right down to a foot or two so they will grow about 8 feet tall next year. If left un-pruned they will easily reach 12 feet tall. Hydrangeas also do best cut back low. Ornamental grasses that have turned brown can be left to enjoy for the winter but are another group of plants that benefit by being cut back hard before spring growth begins.
Apart from pruning and cleanup, this is still a good time to plant California natives and many Australian drought-tolerant plants. Watch for all the bare root roses, trees, berries and shrubs that are pouring into nurseries and home stores now. You’ll get the best selection and prices by buying bare-root and planting them in the winter so they can wake up all settled into their new homes in the spring.
Good wrap up Jane, as usual. January is a good time to do quite a lot in SCV!
Thanks, Julie!