Southern California gardening: What to do in February
(Read article summary)Here are the things to do in Southern California gardens this month, from pruning roses to starting seeds.
February is still a good time to do pruning in the Southern California garden if you didn’t get it done last month. January is better, but if you wait until March, not so good -- especially in the hot, desert areas such as Blythe, Anza Borrego, and Canebreak, and even in the hot areas of the Central Coast and Bakersfield and Fresno.
Roses and bareroot trees
Roses can still be pruned. Take out all crossing canes, dead canes, or any that look diseased. If any canes have grown below the graft union or bud union, get rid of them. It doesn’t hurt to limit the number of canes; it will make for just as many blooms. And prune mature bushes to around 18 to 20 inches in height.
It's bareroot season, too, so look for additions to the garden in roses and berry bushes. Some ornamental trees may also be available bareroot (without a root ball of soil).
