 Pick Your Cool Tip by Month
JANUARY
If you opted for a living Christmas tree, you should now hurry up and plant it outside before it breaks dormancy. Give it a large hole and if you have clay soil, add some gypsum too break up the clay. Some compost will also help get the tree off to a good start.
To protect your evergreens, give them some water every two or three weeks. Water your bushes and perennials too unless we get plenty of winter moisture.
Now is the time to spray dormant oil on your fruit trees. If you had problems fungus, sacb, and mold, try spraying trees with Bordeau copper mixture. This spray is a mixture of copper sulfate and lime with water.
If you haven't pruned your trees already, now is a good time to consider it. Pruning is not an exact science. It is more an art form. You have to develop your own feel for what has to be done. Reading some of the books on pruning can be rather confusing and contradictory. A bush tree should be thinned. Crossing, horizontal, and drooping branches should be cut. Cut all suckers, both in the tree and from roots. Consider sterilizing your cutters and loppers between trees to avoid spreading disease.
In the meantime, plan ahead for the coming spring planting and enjoy the seed catalogs
Review your past gardening year's winners and losers. Try to figure out the best timing for planting. Maybe you planted too soon and some of the baggies froze. Maybe you can plant some cold hardy variety two weeks early just to see what happens.
This might be a good year for companion planting or a radical plant rotation. Let your imagination go wild! May philosophy is, "You can grow anything anywhere if you just provide the right environment."
I am getting a lot of questions at this time of year about wood ashes in the garden. the catchword here is, moderation. A little may not hurt, but too much can injure your garden for years. Remember, soils in Arizona tends to be alkaline and adding wood ash will make your soil even more alkaline. You are probably better off throwing ashes in the dumpster.
FEBRUARY
Spring is just around the corner and now is the time for bare root planting.
Trees
February is a good month to consider planting bare root apples, peaches, plums, and cherries. Now is the last chance for tree pruning and dormant oil spraying.
Shade Trees
How about some maple, ash, locust or purple leaf plums in your garden this year? This is a good time to plant poplars.
Flowering Shrubs
What can be prettier than some lilacs or forsythias in the spring?
Small Fruit
Don't forget to prepare now for red and black raspberries, blackberries, rhubarb, strawberries, and gooseberries. Bulbs It is time to plant summer blooming bulbs such as Dahlias, Gladiolus, Calla Lily, Lily of the Valley, Peonies, and tree peonies. Pre-emergence With a little warm weather, early spring weeds will start to appear. Now is the time to apply pre-emergent before weeds come up (Unless you are an organic gardener). Flower Gardens Prepare flower gardens by digging in organic compost and a little bit of manure. If your garden is already prepared, plant some summer flowering bulbs; then top them with winter blooming pansies. They will bloom until it gets too hot. Vegetable Gardens It's time to prepare the soil for your spring vegetable garden. Dig in organic compost and manure. It's not too early to plant peas and carrots under row covers. Test for Ph as soil can get acid after years of adding organic matter. MARCH March is rose month in Rim Country. Now is the prime time to plant bare root roses. Existing roses should be pruned now and mulch and manure should be layered around the base. Mulching will build the soil, cut down on weeds, hold in the ground moisture, and make the plant stronger and more able to withstand insect infestations. Apply a systemic fertilizer when the buds swell or leaves start to come on To apply the fertilizer before the new growth starts will encourage growth that might freeze back if we have a late spring freeze.
What goes around comes around and this is no different in the world of growing roses. Jackson and Perkins are introducing "New Generation Roses!" Unlike grafted plants of the past, these roses are grown on their own roots, which makes them stronger, better growers, hardier against freezing conditions, and more affordable because they are less costly to produce than the 2-year old grafted plants.
Lovers Lane, a Hybrid Tea is the 2002 Award winner. The bloom is a deep, saturated red, with a lighter reverse which gives the 4 1/2" bloom the appearance of light from within. Lovers Lane is a vigorous, disease-resistant plant that can reach 5-6' with 18-22" stems! For those that love a real beauty with a light fragrance, this rose will make a fine addition to your collection.
Simply Marvelous is the 2002 Floribunda of the year. The lavender blossoms have a delightful, sweet perfume, and the upright 3 1/2' bush produces a profusion of blooms.
For large blooms, Key Largo can't be beat, as this 5 1/2" bloom is a striking clear coral from bud to finish. The long stems, dark green glossy foliage and 5' height of this rose make a colorful statement in the garden.
For those who love old style English roses, Guinevere is this year's choice. She fills the air with old rose scent when her profusion of petal-filled flowers are in bloom. This hardy, compact, disease-resistant bush will grow to 3' and blends well with mixed borders.
Last, but perhaps the most heart warming and exciting is the Habitat for Humanity rose! Jackson and Perkins is proud to debut this program in commemoration of Habitat's 25th anniversary. A new rose will be offered each year. The 2002 pick is the Habitat for Humanity Hybrid Tea. 10% of the sales of this selection will be used to help finance the building of new homes. These radiant red 5 1/2' blooms are borne on 18"-22" stems and make a glorious statement in the garden, as well as making long lasting cut bouquets. Plant Fair Nursery donates one of these roses to each new Habitat for Humanity home built by our local chapter.
APRIL Fertilizing It's time to fertilize! Everything; tees, shade trees, shrubs, vines, and lawns. Anything that was planted last year.
If you are an organic gardener, you might try bone meal, blood meal, and soil sulfur mixed in equal parts. For others, use 10-10-10 with iron. On your lawn use a high nitrogen lawn food with trace elements.
What to Plant April is the time to plant ornamental, vegetable and flower gardens. Yes, it can still freeze through the month of April (and May!) so check with your nursery professional before choosing what to plant. Weeds Spring weeds are here. there are now good organic weed killers as well as inorganic ones. As there are a lot of different weed killers, it is a good idea to describe your situation to your nurseryman and let him tell you which one is best for you. Insects We are seeing aphids already. Spray with your favorite insecticide now before the population gets too large. .We are also seeing a lot of peach borer damage. Spring is the time to apply borer killer spray. If you have the time, you may get in there with a pocket knife and dig them out. If you use this method, be sure to disinfect with Clorox and seal the wounds with tree heal. Propagate Evergreens by Ground Layering To increase your supply of evergreen plants Bend low-growing young, pliable branch toward the ground, scrape off an inch piece of bark and trim off leaves within 12 inches of the tip. Dust the scraped section with rooting hormone. Press the branch down onto the soil and cover with compost and 3-inces of soil. Anchor with a rock or large bobby pin. Bend the stem tip up and tie to a stake. Water
MAY
The lovely month of May, as longtime Payson gardeners know, can bring killing frost and often follows erratic patterns of quick weather changes. Be prepared to protect frost tender plants.
Flowers, Shrubs and Trees Indulge and plant at will, with the exception of impatiens and marigolds. Wait until the last frost for planting these. Fruit Hold off on thinning fruit until after the June drop. Thinning prevents branch damage and allows the tree to produce larger fruit. Thin apples to one per cluster, peaches and plums to two inches apart. Insects Spray apple trees AFTER petals drop with Thuringicide (BT) every 7 - 10 days. Use systemic rose food with bug killer or organic methods to keep thrips and aphids in check. Lawns Deep watering and fertilizing is important now. "Weed and Feed" or "Fertilome with Iron" are effective. Rock Garden Check for and replace any winter casualties Vegetables Cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, squash and tomatoes will succumb to frost unless protected. Most other vegetables can be planted now. JUNE June brings summer heat. Now is when a drip irrigation system begins to show its worth. Aside from the cost savings, it provides water to the roots of plants where it is needed most. Well watered plants are less susceptible to disease and bugs. Flowers Choose gaillardia, vinca, portulaca, marigolds and Russian sage to provide color in full sun. Impatiens, begonia, red salvia, cuphea and hostas thrive in shady areas. Trees Shrubs and trees appreciate fewer deep waterings more than frequent splashes. Fertilize and be prepared to control pests. Check for suckers and watersprouts that need removing. Thinning fruit is well worth the time, it prevents overloaded branches and small size fruit. Thin apples to one or two per cluster, peaches, and plums to two inches apart. Lawns Water deeply and fertilize. Set the mower blade higher. The taller grass will hold up better during the hot month than short cut grass. Vegetables Plant heat loving peppers, tomatoes, squash, melon, pumpkin and okra now. They like soil temperature to be able 60 degrees and will grow rapidly now. JULY July often brings drying winds with excessive heat and no rain in Payson. Deep watering and preserving precious moisture by mulching heavily are a must. Flowers You will notice that perennials bear the heat much better than annuals. All flowers will now appreciate regular feedings and deep watering. Deadhead spent flowers diligently. Trees Again, deep watering will save trees and shrubs from stressing in the heat Watch for signs of fire blight and prune affected limbs radically Dispose of the prunings - never compost them. Sterilize pruners with bleach. Lawns Set that mover blade higher to leave grass longer during the hot months. Use a mulching blade and do not rake. Water deeply and fertilize. Roses Black spot can be a threat now Watch for telltale yellow leaves and dispose of them carefully - not in the compost pile. Vegetables Heavy mulching, drip irrigation or soaker hoses are essential for water conservation. Preparing to harvest monsoon rain water can be as simple as making channels from the downspouts to the vegetable beds to sophisticated English rain barrels with spigots and hose connections. Irrigate Trees Deep irrigate trees when the top 2 - 3 inches of soil are almost dry. Build a bern around the tree's drip line, turn on a hose to a slow trickle and allow it to run into the basin for 30-minutes. To irrigate more mature trees, use a deep root irrigator. AUGUST August brings rain but unfortunately most of our rains come fast and furious and do not last long. Most of the rain water runs off instead of soaking the ground deeply. Try drip irrigation because it allows you to adjust water flow to your plants' needs and saves on the water bill.
Flowers Divide irises now, cut each section into a six inch "flags" and re-plant a foot apart or share your excess with friends. Plant asters and chrysanthemums for fall color. Trees Inspect fruit trees for signs of fungus and blight. Remove affected branches - never compost them. Sterilize pruners with bleach. If peach trees show curled and yellow leaves, treat them with lime sulphur. Lawns Fertilize with Fertilome with iron. Water deeply when needed. Roses Keep deadheading to encourage more blooms. Water deeply to prevent heat stress that will make them susceptible to pests and disease. Vegetables There is still time to plant broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Sow beets, carrots, turnips, and kale now. Pesticide Safety Choose products with low toxicity to humans and pets and buy only the amount you can use in a season. Store them in their original containers and follow label instructions precisely. Make sure to dispose of empty containers and leftover products properly. Autumn Autumn is not called FALL for nothing. the leaves often colorful at that time of year, are falling right and left creating nature's carpet of mulch without much help from us gardeners. But these leaves can be made to improve our garden beds with proper attention. Shredded leaves make one of the best mulches you can ask for. Shredding avoids having the leaves pack down as they get wet thus creating an anaerobes layer which could be damaging to the plant below. Packed down leaves could smother the plants you are trying to protect. Shredding prevents this action to the benefit of the dormant plants. When spreading mulch, such as shredded leaves, made the layer about three to six inches thick. More than six inches could create a choking layer that must be avoided It is not too late to apply mulch for the remaining winter. Leaves are still falling, and after a few freezes, the ground is ready for mulching. The goal with a winter mulch is to keep plants dormant without the damaging effect that thaws and freezes can have. Anytime in winter, when leaves are available, is a good time for mulching in the Payson area. But, don't forget to rake away the mulch in the spring when new plant growth begins.
SEPTEMBER October brings cool nights, but no much relief from daytime heat. This means the watering chores are not over. For some, drip irrigation with a timer is doing this reliably and efficiently. the less fortunate ones will have to continue to lug that can, drag that hose or turn on the water to the soaker hoses. Flowers Plant some Asters, chrysanthemums, pansies and ornamental kale for long lasting color. They will also do well in containers. Divide irises and over-grown perennials now. Replant the divisions or share them with friends and neighbors. Bulbs This is a great time for planting spring splendor. Crocus, daffodils, iris, hyacinths, narcissus and tulips are available at the nursery in multitudes of color and variation and will bring a welcomed break from winter drabness in a few months. Trees Clean-up fallen fruit. Feed Potassium and mulch. Planting new shrubs and trees now will result in strong root systems. Vegetables Plant onions and garlic. Be prepared to cover tomatoes in case frost threatens. Clean-up unused vegetable beds and deprive pests of places to over-winter. Add compost or manure. OCTOBER October brings cooler days and colder nights. This brings a lot of changes to the Rim Country. Colorful leaves and yellowing of inner needles of pine and spruce is both natural and distressing. Left alone, this problem will take care of itself. If you feel that you have to do something, spray the pines and spruces with lime sulfur. As a general fall spray, it will kill red spider mite, control fungus and disease. But mostly, you will feel like you did all you could for your trees All in all, October is a big gardening month. Now is the time to PLANT! Plant fruit and shade trees, spring flowering shrubs, evergreens, flower bulbs, and new lawns.
To enrich and prepare the soil for the winter, roto till in mulch, manure and gypsum.
Treat your fruit trees to prevent borers. Mulch roses and tender plants for the winter. Prune trees and shrubs after leaf fall. Feed Winterizer to lawns, gardens, fruit trees, shade trees, evergreens and dormant type shrubs.
NOVEMBER November in Payson means it's time for the final clean-up and preparation for the next year. Summer Vegetable Beds Beds should be cleaned up and plats that have finished producing should be composed. Discard any that are diseased or bug infested. Top the beds off with 2-4inces of aged manure and till it into the soil. Flower Beds Remove spent annuals and give the same treatment as the vegetable beds. Protect perennials with a thick layer of mulch. Lawns If you have not already fertilized, apply some Fertilize Winterizer. This will assure healthier, thicker, and greener grass next spring. Roses Some are still going strong. Continue to water them or they will go dormant too early, resulting in weak plants in the spring. Evergreens Consider planting some Colorado spruce, Austrian pine, and Eastern white pine. Bulbs Still time to plant crocus, daffodils, and tulips DECEMBER Christmas Tree The easiest way to water a living tree while it is in the house is to put ice cubes on top of the root ball.
The results of tests done by Sunset magazine showed that trees that had a commercial preservative added to the water were more flame resistant than trees using plain water or homemade preservatives? Always make a fresh cut before putting the tree in the stand. Keep water in the basin at all times.
Provide water for birds, and wildlife. Keep water sources free of ice. | 
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