A New Year and Wonderful Possibilities
I love winters in the desert. It’s a time when activity in the garden slows down and we can sit back and ponder what plans (if any) we have for this new year.
As I sit in my office looking outdoors at my winter garden, I see birds visiting my feeders and the stark winter beauty of my trees.
And, I am excited about what 2024 will bring – both professionally and in the landscape areas around my home.
While the colder temperatures mean less work in the garden, there are some projects that should be done in winter:
Winter Garden Tasks
- Prune deciduous trees, if needed. This includes ash, Chinese elm, desert willow, and pistache trees.
- Cut back roses if you haven’t already, and add new bare-root roses. Check out my Growing Roses in the Desert, online class for guidance on rose care in a hot, dry climate.
- Be sure that you aren’t over-watering your plants. They need far less water in winter than in other times of year. Visit Water Use It Wisely for scheduling info.
- Winter is also a good time to add new plants. This gives plants time to grow a good root system before the heat of summer arrives. I’ve added several new plants this month, including passion flower vine and tangerine crossvine.
I encourage you to take advantage of this season to enjoy the beauty of your garden with a warm cup of coffee or tea.
The outdoors is an excellent stress reliever, and I am going to take the time this year to just sit and enjoy it – imperfections and all.
How about you?
Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
