By Bob McLaughlin

Growing fruit trees in our area requires well-drained and not too rich soil, and as much sun as possible. Apple trees require a pollinator and can be grown as dwarf trees in containers.

Plum trees are an excellent selection - free of serious problems, attractive, and fruit-bearing in about 3-4 years. Methley is a good variety to plant here. Peaches are also a good choice. Remember to prune the tree to an open form for best production. Dwarf peach trees make great landscape plants also. Pears are among the best fruits for our area. Most plant varieties are resistant to fire blight. Asian pears are crispy, juicy fruit.

Growing figs as bushes helps to protect them in our area. Brown Turkey figs and Celeste are the hardiest. Texas Everbearing fig is a variety that will bear fruit from new growth. The Persimmon is the most attractive and problem-free fruit tree. The fruit is ready in late fall. Fuyugaki and Eureka are good dwarf varieties to add to your garden. Tane Nashi, Tamopan, and Hachiya are good standard varieties.

Whatever your needs, we can help you find the best fruit tree for your wants and needs. We stock varieties that will be successful in our North Texas area.

by Bob McLaughlin, Rosarian

Do not fertilize until the first flush of growth in the spring. Early fertilization might cause new growth that will die with an unexpected late cold spell.

Continue to water, but at a lesser rate than during the summer. Keep soil evenly moist.
The last week of February, do major cane pruning on the "modern" roses - i.e., hybrid teas, grandifloras and floribundas. Prune them back to 24" to 30". For old garden roses, shape them to a nice evenness. Do not prune rugosas or climbers (at this time).

Good hygiene around the roses is critical. Blackspot on old leaves can be transmitted to new leaves when spring growth starts. Remove them from the bush and the area. Don't put blackspot leaves into the compost bin.

Keep frost cloth on hand for temperature dips below 20 degrees, and especially for roses in above-ground containers. Winter is ideal for getting new rose beds ready, and you will be ready to plant new roses in early spring.

by Carolyn Oldham

Although the garden may appear to be dormant in these cold months, this is actually a great time to re-energize your plants. Plant roots absorb and metabolize nutrients during this time in preparation for a vigorous start in spring. Now is an excellent time to apply organic fertilizers and additives to enhance root growth and soil health. Remember: Organic gardeners feed the soil, not the plants.

Organic fertilizers such as cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal, Texas Tee, Greensense, Hu-more, or NHG 6-3-0 can be applied around February 1st in lawn and garden areas. Other additives such as lava sand, greensand, and humate would also be beneficial.

Annuals should be kept mulched and watered during winter dry spells, and fertilized with earthworm castings, Buds 'n' Blooms or cottonseed meal on a monthly basis. Best choices for mulch are shredded cedar, hardwood, or cypress.

Consider evergreen perennial herbs in the garden for lasting greenery and fragrance. Place fragrant germander along a path instead of boxwood. Germander is used in English knot gardens. Consider adding lavender or santolina to well-drained traffic areas. As people pass by and brush against the foliage, wonderful fragrances are released. Use a low-growing creeping thyme as a groundcover or a filler plant between stepping stones. Once established, these plants require little tending and the delightful fragrance that is released when brushed against is a wonderful surprise to the garden visitor.