Tom Karwin: Get to work on seasonal projects

Tom Karwin


As always, it is appropriate to pursue priorities only when the weather is inviting, and to work at a pace that supports your enjoyment of gardening. Seasonal projects can add to spring's reawakening and the garden's long-term success, but the plants will survive a little neglect, truth be told.

Prune fruit trees


The best practices depend on the kind of tree, its age, whether or not it has been neglected, and the specific reasons for pruning. There are too many variables for this column, but well worth the tree owner's research. An excellent source of information is The California Backyard Orchard, a website maintained by UC Davis.


The University of California always recommends organic methods, of course.

Sow wildflower seeds

This couldn't be simpler ... if it weren't for the birds. But they can be outsmarted.

Purchase wildflower seeds at your favorite local garden center, or from one of the mail order nurseries that specialize in California wildflowers.

There are hundreds of California native wildflowers, but retailers will stock popular varieties such as Arroyo lupine, California poppy, five-spot, baby-blue-eyes, perennial flax, Chinese houses, gilia, bird's eyes, California bluebell, satin flower, godetia, fiddleneck, tidy tips and beach evening primrose. Any combination of these would provide a pleasing display.



If you have a larger area to seed, you have the opportunity to create a wildflower meadow that will self-seed in future years. The method is essentially the same, except on a larger scale.

Another timely task in this season is weeding. We'll explore that need later.
