Super Bowl Sunday

In most or at least a lot of the country it is so cold now no one wants to get out in the garden. Here even though it is brisk in the morning it can still be gardening weather.

At home I just fertilized my lawn with Masters Fall and Winter Feed. This is designed to get results in cold (California cold) weather. In addition I sprayed with Kleen-up to kill the weeds that have germinated since fall. If you have been having a weed control problem we recommend a pre-emergent applied now.

In the shrub beds I use surflan a spray on pre-emergent and in lawns we recommend Masters pre-emergent with fertilizer to control crab grass, spurge and other newly sprouting weeds. Weed control is an area where getting ahead of the game is critical for success!

My Magnoliaflora camellia is just starting to break. I am not sure why but the Magnoliaflora camellias in the nursery have been blooming for a couple of weeks. It my very favorite Japanese style camellia. A semi double with a blush pink bloom it is exquisite. This is a plant I gave Martha, my late wife, while we were at Modesto Junior College for a valentine present. I have been able to keep it with me for 5 houses. The last couple of houses I have kept it in a 36" plastic pot and sunk it in the ground. Before that I almost killed it moving. It took about 5 years for it to completely recover the last time I planted it directly in the ground.

Donna and I are still looking at the large juniper planting in front of our house. I am moving closer to taking them out now before we develop our courtyard behind them. My thought now is get the plants in the ground and let them grow before we finish the courtyard. Subject to change at any minute!

Jungle Jim