 Trees
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- The best tree planting season continues until mid-March
- If the fall fertilization period was missed, then fertilize during mid-February.
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 Grasses
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- Winter is the best time for aeration and top dressing. Use an aerator that cuts plugs from the yard rather than a spiker aerator. Applying one half inch of compost after aeration contributes to healthy lawn and water conservation.
- Lawns need very little irrigation in the winter. At the most, apply 1/2 inch of water every three weeks to St. Augistine grass if there is no rain.
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 Herbs
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- Cut any deciduous, perennial herbs back. In other words, "if it is brown, cut it down."
- Water during dry periods.
- Remove dead annual herbs from the garden.
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 Perennials
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- Prune away foilage that is damaged by frost. (This can wait until early spring to provide extra cover for wildlife.)
- If you have had severe weed problems in bedding areas, consider pre-emergent herbicides. This should be done in February before warm-season weeds germinate. (See the turfgrass section for special warnings on Weed and Feeds products.)
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Past Peak:
Summer tender perennials that freeze to the ground.
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 Roses
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Rose mutabilis
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- No special care is required. Roses are winter hardy.
- Pruning can be done in late winter. Spring blooms will come on new growth, so cut back one half of the rose plant.
- Old-fashioned roses require less formal and regular pruning than hybrid tea roses. However, it is still helpful to remove weak steams (also called canes) that cross each other. Make cuts just above growth nodes that face outward. (See diagram in the Pruning Guidelines section)
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 Annuals
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- Pansies and Ornamental Kale can be enjoyed in sunny areas during winter months.
- Plant winter annuals in a grouping to make watering easier.
- Cyclamen and Primula thrive in shady areas and provide color all winter.
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Cyclamen
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Pansy
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 Wildscape
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- Evergreen plants are important parts of wildscape. They keep leaves year-round offering cover for wildlife in the winter. See the "backbone plants" section for ideas to consider.
- When plants die back due to freezing temperatures, wait until spring to cut them back. They provide habitat and shelter for birds seeking insects and seeds.
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 Water
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- Water needs drops dramatically during winter months due to dormancy of many plants, cool temperatures and seasonal rains.
- Established Xeriscape plants rarely need supplemental irrigation during the winter.
- Your landscape irrigation should drop to nearly zero in the winter because only container plants and other winter annuals need periodic watering.
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 Pruning
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Plant Type
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Pruning Directions
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Trees
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It is preferable to prune oaks during the coldest months (January) or hottest months (July and August) to prevent spread of oak wilt. Paint wounds any time pruning is done.
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Perennials
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Cut back lantanas and other perennials after the first hard freeze. Cut back ornamental grasses in late winter. Shear or cut back hedges in the late winter.
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