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January Gardening Topics
by Diana Bebbington and Larry Johnson
Time to Prune Dormant Plants:
This starts with making sure your pruners and loppers are clean and sharp. If you don’t know how to maintain them correctly, take them to a place that specializes in tool sharpening. For most pruning, we recommend the “by-pass” type of pruners rather than the anvil type that has a flat surface and a blade that stops on the flat surface. Anvils do not cut as closely and tend to smash the stem being cut. Always start with tools you have cleaned, and sterilize between plants and after cutting off any diseased plant material. This can be done with 1 part bleach to 9 parts water in a spray bottle or using a product like Scrubbing Bubbles foam, which is a favorite of professional pruners. A small metal bristle brush is good for scrubbing the blades and other moving parts in conjunction with the cleanser. Use a rag to wipe the tool and to dry it. Lastly, apply some form of grease so that it does not rust.
For information on specific types of plants (including pruning in some cases), check out the following websites:
Fruit Trees - Pruning:
Dormant pruning is done in January and February. (Remember that summer pruning for size management is done after harvest. Apricots should ONLY be pruned in July or August.) After pruning, apply dormant oil spray for over-wintering scale, mealy bugs, whiteflies, and mites. This needs to be done by the end of February and before buds open. For info on pruning fruit trees visit the California Back Yard Orchard site.
Fruit Tree - Varieties for Our Area:
Bare-root time is upon us and our thoughts turn to visions of ripe luscious fruit. For a complete list of recommended fruit trees for Santa Clara County see this article by Master Gardener Nancy Garrison.
Budding and Grafting:
Both are methods of adding a new variety of plant onto a compatible stock plant. There are several commonly used types of grafting including whip, bark, and cleft. Visit the California Backyard Orchard website for information about budding and grafting fruit trees.
Fire Resistant Landscaping
Fire Resistant landscaping may save your home and your life for those living in the hills surrounding Santa Clara Valley. Divide the area around your home into sections, near area, mid area, and far area. The near area is the first 30 feet around the house or up to the property line for smaller lots. You can do traditional landscaping with trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and lawn. Plants here need to be the most fire resistant. Never plant pines or most other conifers, junipers, eucalyptus, or greasewood. They are extremely flammable, high in oils, resins, or even turpentine. Also avoid plants with paper thin leaves and twiggy branches and keep all plants trimmed of all dead material.
The mid area is the next 30 to 70 feet away from the house. This area should have low plants, no taller than 18 inches, to act as a fuel break. You could use fire resistant groundcovers here. The far area includes fringe areas adjacent to wild lands or open space. Keep this area well maintained to eliminate a buildup of dry brush and other litter.
Here are just a few of the fire resistant and drought tolerant plants: Trees - western redbud, coast live oak, and chinese pistache. Shrubs - cotoneaster, escallonia, oleander, and rock rose. Groundcovers - gazania, sea pink, creeping rosemary, wild strawberry, ice plant and other succulents (which may be susceptible to frost damage). Perennials - yarrow, dusty miller, lavender, wallflower, california. poppy. Vines - jasmine, some climbing roses, honeysuckle. For a more extensive list of flammable and fire resistant plants, check the list on the bewaterwise.com website.
Lawn Alternatives:
If you are interested in learning about native and drought tolerant plants, the East Bay Municipal Utility District has published an excellent book called Plants and Landscapes for Summer Dry Climates. The book contains lists for special growing environments, such as dry shade, plants with year-around color, small trees, hedges, rock gardens water gardens and more. It is available in bookstores or online at www.ebmud.com.
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