Learn about fruit trees, other winter garden tasks

Fruit trees, like this budding peach tree, need attention in winter so they 

produce a good crop. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)

Two free classes offered in Davis this weekend
Got plans for the three-day weekend? (Oh, yeah, garden work.) But if you'd also like to pick up some useful gardening knowledge, or refresh what you already know, the Yolo County master gardeners offer two free classes on late winter gardening.

On Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., fruit tree care will be the topic. If you want a good summer crop, care and preparation now will go a long way toward ensuring that. Two of the Yolo master gardeners will talk about pruning, irrigation, fertilizing, common fruit tree diseases, and pests (and how to control them).

The class will be held at Grace Garden, United Methodist Church, 1620 Anderson Road in Davis. There will be an optional walk in the orchard afterwards.

On Sunday the Yolo master gardeners will hold their monthly Gardening Forum, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Small Conference Room of the Mary L. Stephens Branch Library, 315 E. 14th St., Davis. Bring questions for the master gardeners, and also learn about winter project planning, landscape maintenance, irrigation and mulching, and what to plant now.

For information on Gardening Forums, go to www.yolocountylibrary.org. All the Yolo County master gardener events are at yolomg.ucanr.edu

-- Kathy Morrison