Gardening to be done in January & February We are having another very dry winter. Given how dry the growing season was this past year, the soil is depleted of moisture, and winter watering is essential, especially for new plantings. Climate disruption is continuing to create a new gardening environment for us all. Here are my Top 5 Tasks I recommend you undertake this month. 1. Winter Watering - The Santa Fe Ski Basin is getting some snow this winter, but down here at 7,000

Watering I strongly recommend getting a rain gauge. You need to know how much water is falling from the sky. A general rule of thumb; if you don’t get AT LEAST ½″ of rain, most soils will only be wet 3 to 4″ deep, leaving the roots dry beneath. If you get several ½″ rains in a row the soil moisture will be pushed deeper. Otherwise, you’ll need to irrigate. Be sure that all your trees and shrubs are well mulched with a two-inch-thick layer of wood chips, bark chips, crushed pe

Now is the time to invite pollinators, pull weeds, water and deadhead your gardens and understand why August and September gardens are the prettiest time of year. Late blooming, pollinator-friendly plants are why our late summer/early fall gardens here in northern New Mexico can be more colorful than springtime with stunning displays of flowers and seed heads. Brilliantly colored perennials and gorgeous ornamental grasses are all wonderful additions to the waterwise landsca

After a moist and cool spring, Summer Solstice (the official start of summer), is just around the corner on June 21st. For gardeners, the long hot, sunny days mean that the watering of new transplants is of critical importance. Here are some guidelines to help your new and established garden plants thrive in the heat. Watering New Transplants: Even xeric (waterwise plants) need regular watering during the first growing season to grow strong, deep roots. Don’t water stress new

Spring is here. And that means it’s time to pull out your garden gloves and get your garden and landscape ready for the spring planting season. Get your irrigation system ready, cut back your plants to remove the dead foliage from last year’s growing season and prune your summer blooming shrubs. It’s also time for soil care; feed the soil and mulch. And keep an eye out for critters that want to make your yard their person cafeteria. This is going to be a great planting seaso