As our temperatures cool, lengthen the days between watering plants. Most established landscape plants will need deep watering 1-2 times in December and January. Cover frost-sensitive plants if evening temperatures drop below freezing.
Annuals: Plant annuals. (African daisy, calendula, geranium, candytuft, Iceland poppy, larkspur, pansy, petunia, snapdragon, stock, sweet alyssum, lobelia, dianthus, primrose)
Bulbs: This is the last month to plant spring-flowering bulbs (amaryllis, anemone, bearded iris, crinum, crocus, daffodil, Dutch iris, freesia, ranunculus, and gladiolus).
Grapes: Plant bare-root Thompson seedless grape stock in a sunny location. Prepare a hole 1½ ft. deep and wide and plant grape stock, leaving 2 inches of stem above ground. Water well. Do not prune grapes until all leaves have fallen off the vines.
Groundcovers: Plant Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Mesa Yellow’ (a groundcover with bright-yellow, daisy-like blooms), moss verbena, asparagus fern, wandering Jew and vinca.
Perennials: Plant brittle bush, penstemon, chocolate flower, ruellia, chaparral sage, Texas sage, desert marigold, carnation, geranium, English daisy, globe mallow, and agapanthus.
Roses: Begin researching roses to plant in January. #1 grade roses are recommended. Climbers, floribundas, grandifloras, hybrid teas, and miniatures all grow well in Yuma. Prune dead canes and dead-head old blooms. Do not prune roses heavily this month. If leaves show powdery mildew, spray both sides of leaves, Dec.-March, with Neem oil on a cool day.
Shrubs: Plant butterfly bush, myrtle, gardenia, orange and yellow bell, fairy duster, greythorn, honeysuckle, desert barberry, Baja senna, Cape plumbago, lantana and datura. Do not fertilize or prune established shrubs.
Trees: You might wish to purchase a potted Christmas tree this year and transplant it in your yard after the holidays. Aleppo pine, Afghan pine, Italian Stone pine, Arizona cypress, and Mondell pine grow nicely here. Fruit trees can be planted now (choose a variety requiring less than 400 chill hours to set fruit). Fertilize established fruit trees. Water citrus trees once a month and fruit trees every three weeks. Do not prune fruit trees this month.
Vegetables: Continue to plant vegetables from seeds or transplants to insure a continual supply of produce. (Asparagus, beet, artichoke, salad greens, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, peas, radish, green onion, spinach, and turnip) Continue planting herbs. Thin seedlings. Plant strawberries.
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