Shopping for Your Winter Garden

 Winter may not seem like the most exciting time in the garden, but if you know what to look for it is the ideal time to stock up on the best plant bargains of the year. Bare-root season begins in January and is an opportunity to really stretch your plant dollars. Buying plants “bare-root” (before they are planted in containers by the nursery) can save you 50-75% over the prices charged later in the year. Be sure to stock up on soil amendments and  organic fertilizers at the same time.

Here are my top picks for what to look for at your local nursery this season.

1. Bare-root Roses: Bare-root Rose season begins early January at our local nurseries and that means you’ll get the best selection and the best prices of the year. Be sure to follow the planting instructions provided.
2. Bare-root fruit trees and shrubs: Here is where you can really make the most of your plant dollars. Creating an edible landscape is all the rage at the moment and this is the truly affordable way to do it. Plus you will be able to find varieties in bare-root that are hard to find later in the year. Choose from Apples, Apricots, Figs, Peaches, Persimmons, Plums, Pomegranates, Almonds, Walnuts and more. Be sure to select varieties that will grow in your garden. If you are close to the beach, you may not have success with stone fruits so ask about “chill requirements” when you are shopping.
3. Bare-root Berries and vines: Blackberries, Raspberries, Boysenberries, Strawberries, Mulberries, Blueberries, Grapes, Kiwi, need I say more? Again, be sure to consider your location when purchasing.
4. Bare-root Vegetables: Edible gardening is so easy when you plant perennials such as Asparagus, Artichokes and Rhubarb in bare root. Once these vegetables are established they will provide you with joy (and good eats) for many years to come.
5. Spring-planted bulbs: Spring planted bulbs will bloom in summer and fall and begin showing up in your nursery in January and February. Don’t plant them right away, but now is the time to buy them for best selection; Dahlias, Calla, Tuberous Begonia, Gladiolus, Amaryllis, Freesia and Tuberose are just a few of your choices.
6. Cool season vegetables: It’s not too early to plant your favorite cool weather veggies; Lettuces, Arugula, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Celery and Cabbage as well as Chard, Mustard and Kale can all be planted now.
7. Perennial herbs: Herbs such as Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme, Rosemary and Sage can be used not only in your vegetable garden but make excellent perennial borders for your ornamental garden beds as well. Buy and plant them now and into the spring.
8. Aloe and succulents: For winter color and easy care, nothing brightens up your garden like winter-blooming succulents and especially Aloe in its multitudes of shapes and colors. Many succulents begin blooming in December and continue throughout the winter months. Shop for them now and you will be able to choose them for color of bloom. 
9. Orchids: Santa Barbara has been a Orchid-growing center for decades so it comes as no surprise that you can find beautiful orchids of every color, shape and size and since many of them are in bloom now, you will be able to see what you are buying. The bonus, in Santa Barbara we can grow them outdoors and they stay in bloom for months. Cymbidiums of course are the perennial favorite and with the correct exposure will bloom from November through March. There are other winter-blooming orchids to choose from, visit our local Orchid-growers for expert advice on selection and care of your Orchids.
10. Atlas 370 Gardening Gloves: This is the one item I can’t live without. They fit like a surgical glove and come in every color of the rainbow. These general purpose gardening gloves are available at most local nurseries, and If you are like me you’ll buy two or three pair because you’ll want more than one color. Wear them inside your pruning gloves for extra protection.

See you next season and happy gardening!

Lisa