As we inch closer to spring, our list of garden chores increases. It will be worth it in the long run, though, so time to get busy.
Put out baits now for yellow jackets. The queens and early scouts will soon be out looking for new places to set up their nests. By baiting traps now, you’ll reduce the number of nests that might be established in your yard. Yellow jackets do help with pollination, but they also can be extremely aggressive.
We’ve been saying it for a while now, but you really need to spray for Peach Leaf Curl before bud break — when the buds on peach and nectarines start showing a little color.
The citrus fruit on a lot of orange and lemon trees is ready for harvest. It’s OK to leave fruit on the tree, but the trees soon will be blooming and you want plenty of room for the new fruit to grow.
Tempted to prune off freeze damaged wood on citrus trees? Don’t do it. It’s best to wait until late spring.
If the weather is dry enough, start preparing your summer vegetable beds. Loosen the top soil with a garden or broad fork, then lightly work in some fertilizer and cover the beds with a thick layer of compost.
If you planted cover crops this winter, it might be time to cut them. You can chop them up and leave them to compost in the beds, or add the material to your compost pile.
Start tomato, eggplant, onion , parsley and pepper seeds indoors using bottom heat for best germination.
Finish pruning roses and spray with dormant oil to control pests.
Contra Costa Master Gardeners contributed to this report.
