We are so lucky to live in Southern California where the climate is very moderate in relationship to other parts of the country. Sometimes that lulls us into complacency. We think that our gardens are safe. There are fall and winter flowering plants that can make us forget that we have had several years where cold temperatures have killed even large Ficus trees. There are other reasons to prepare your garden for winter. During the most dormant season many of our plants are expanding their root systems so that they will flourish in the spring and summer. Winter is the best time to prune most deciduous trees. With the threat of rain on the horizon, we need to check slopes for stabilization.
So let’s begin our list with the frost potential. Anytime between December 15 and March 15, we could get a frost. One night a freezing temperature usually does not damage plants to a great degree however several nights of freezing temperatures and the cold winds that often accompany it, can affect tropical and subtropical plants. The year before last, I had many plants in my garden that turned black after the freezes.
Here are the ways to protect your plants as much as possible.

• First, the healthier plants are, the better they survive so you may want to feed your weak plants now.
• Second, make sure they have enough water. I am always performing a balancing act between under and over watering. Too much water isn’t actually good for your plants and wastes a precious resource. When the Santa Ana winds blow, the heat and wind can desiccate your plants, so pay special attention to their moisture levels after the winds blow.
• Third, loosen the soil so that the rain and fertilizer can penetrate and nourish your plants. •
• Finally, mulch around your plants being sure to keep clear of the trunks. Mulch can help to protect the plants from effects of frost. If you have very tropical plants that are particularly sensitive, you can cover them with sheets, newspaper or cardboard on freezing nights to protect them.

There is mixed opinion on whether or not you should fertilize coming into the winter season. As mentioned before, it can help your plants to be stronger and withstand the winds and frost however, new growth is most affected by the cold so if you feed plants to strengthen them, be sure to use a fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in potassium. The nitrogen promotes leaf growth so we want to limit that aspect and the potassium promotes cell permeability so we want to increase that capacity.

When you look at a fertilizer label you see NPK which stands for nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Phosphorous also is good to strengthen root growth. A good organic alternative is Pro-Start from North County Organics.

Pruning trees in the early winter especially if they are deciduous and likely to break during winter winds, is a good idea. Evergreens like pines, cedars and spruce can be pruned at anytime. If the shape of the tree is out of balance and likely to cause damage if it breaks, early winter is a good time to correct imbalances. For deciduous fruit trees, wait until late winter to prune. Oak trees can be pruned at this time but avoid pruning them in the springtime. I avoid pruning my shrubs because I want them to have all their strength for the winter and in particular, I suggest that you avoid pruning the winter and spring flowering shrubs like azaleas and camellias so that you can enjoy their displays in the spring.

Finally, it is important to prepare any slopes you have for the winter. To do this you need to walk your property and be sure that gophers haven’t compromised your hillside. If your property has been burned in a fire, you should take immediate steps to stabilize the hill and to deflect the water that may impact your home. If you think that your home is in the path of oncoming mud and debris, you could build a fence to deflect and channel water and debris around your home. If you have enough time, you could hydroseed the slope with stabilizing plants. Stover Seed Company has some good mixes for wildfire hill stabilization. Lastly you could bench the hill. This consists of stabilizing portions of your hillside with wood that is secured to the slope. This will slow the progress of debris toward your home by stopping it at intervals along the slope.

If you haven’t planted in the fall, I don’t suggest that you do so in the winter. Young plants are much more susceptible to freeze damage. Winter is a quieter time of the year. We still have plenty of plants to enjoy but not as many as the other seasons. Winter is a time to plan and dream. If your garden isn’t in the shape that you would like it, now is the time to plan for the spring. When the weather warms in March I often am very busy with the people who haven’t thought of their gardens in winter but if you plan during the winter, you can get the jump on spring, get new plants in the ground so that you can completely enjoy the seasons to come.