Winter Thoughts for Spring

Published in the ECHO Journal, February 2013

The weather is cold and frosty, and those warm summer evenings and fall leaves are a distant memory. Spring feels very far away, but is actually just around the corner. In a few short weeks, trees will begin to bloom, and daffodils and tulips will poke their heads up after the long winter. What should you be doing now to prepare your landscape for spring?

Irrigation System

Start early by making sure that your irrigation system is up for the demands of spring and summer. Plan to check your irrigation system for proper operation. Check for the following:

• Insure the irrigation controller is operating properly.
• Check that all irrigation valves are operating automatically from the controller.
• Check each irrigation sprinkler for proper coverage and insure none are clogged.
• Check for broken or leaking pipes, valves or irrigation heads/nozzles.
• Trim any shrubs or ground cover that mat block the sprinkler coverage.
• Replace any components that are not working properly.
• Set your controller with “a spring time program”. One day per week with two start times should do it.
• Replace the battery for back-up operation.

This should do it! Once the system has been checked and components repaired or replaced, just switch the controller on in the spring and you are ready to grow!

Existing Plantings

Your landscape probably looks dormant right now. The cold weather and short days slow plant growth and most bloom is a distant memory. Here are a few things you can do to help your landscape weather the winter:

• Your irrigation system should be turned off. The rain in most northern California micro-climates should be enough to sustain your plantings over the winter season
• Make sure all old bloom and dead wood are trimmed away. This will lead to healthier fuller growth come spring.
• Review the shape and size of the plant, early spring is a good time to use natural pruning techniques to reshape woody shrubs and reduce plant “legginess”
• Watch the overnight low temperatures and try to cover and plants that can’t do well with the cold. Succulents, citrus and hydrangeas are common plants that don’t do well in the cold.
• Consider adding mulch to your planting beds. A 3 inch – 4 inch layer of mulch can act as insulation, protecting plant roots for extreme temperatures

New Plantings

Now is a good time to review the plants in your landscaping. You may want to replace poorly performing, or aging plants in the spring with better varieties or to augment your existing landscape. Depending on your personal horticultural skills, you may want to consult your landscaper or your local nursery for recommendations. Planting in spring will give the plants time to acclimate prior to the hot weather. It will also allow the rain to help water the plants, rather than just relying on the irrigation system. The following are considerations to increase the success of your new plantings:

• Plant size at maturity is critical to avoid over crowding in the future.
• Group plants by sun and water requirements, this allows for efficient irrigation programming when plants reach maturity
• Use plants with varying foliage color such as variegated or purple leaves. (Light colored foliage will stand out in shady places!)
• Try to plant in-groups of 3, 5 or 7. This gives the planting purpose and meaning.
• Choosing California native plants will help your landscape look great in all seasons. Natives do well in our soil types and climate, usually with less water and fertilizer required. Some of our favorite varieties include:
  1. Monkeyflower – several varieties available. A fast-growing small shrub. It grows 2-3 feet tall with narrow leaves and showy, two-lipped pale yellow or orange flowers that attract bees.
  2. Yarrow – These plants can be used to cover a large territory with sage-scented ferny foliage that dies back in winter. Six inch to foot high flowering stalks carry flat-topped clusters of tiny white pink daisies from late spring to summer
  3. Matilija poppy (Romenya Coulteri) – Perennial that can grow to over 6 feet tall. Bluish – green leaves and huge flowers with crumpled white petals and golden stamens makes a stunning addition to any garden. It blooms from early summer to fall and is attractive to bees.
  4. Hummingird fuchsia (Epilobium canum, and E. septentrionale) – Fuchsia like blossoms attractive to hummingbirds, grows about 3 feet high. Gray to bright green leaves and arrow trumpet shaped scarlet flowers that bloom from August to late Fall.
  5. California wild rose (Rosa californica) – This lovely shrub has comund leaves and stems without prickles. Flat-topped clusters of fragrant, pink, single rose flowers appear throughout the summer. Bright red hips attract wildlife in fall.

Taking these steps now will ensure your irrigation system and landscape are in top shape come spring.