Southwest Region

• Prepare the soil for any new shrub, flower, or rose bed for next spring. Dig up the soil, remove any weeds, and add compost.
• Toward the middle of the month, new bareroot roses are available to purchase at garden centers.
• Avoid major pruning over the winter. However, be sure to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches from trees and shrubs.
• If the weather is dry, occasionally water your lawn, shrubs, and small trees.
• Apply a layer of winter mulch to protect your perennials after the first few freezes.
• Remember to remove any leaves from your lawn and gardens, as the leaves can block sunlight or encourage disease among your plants.
• Plant cool-weather vegetables such as beets, carrots, chard, lettuce, leeks, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach, and turnips.
• Plant transplants such as asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, and lettuce.
• Keep an eye out for pest problems and control before they get out of hand.
• Order your vegetable and flower seeds now so you will be ready to plant them in the early spring.
• If you want to upgrade your garden, now is a great time to design a new landscape or make any structural improvements to your garden.
• Check to make sure indoor plants are getting enough sunlight and water.
• Fertilize your winter lawn after the first mowing.
• Set out bird feeders with food and water to attract birds to your garden during the winter.
• Be prepared for early winter frosts; protect fruit trees.
• Don't forget gardening when you make out your holiday gift list! Find ideas at Almanac.com/Store.