Why gardeners ought to think about colourful flowers that bloom by means of the 12 months – Orange County Register

Q. My backyard seems so boring within the winter months. All of the flowers are gone and most of my timber have shed their leaves. Is there one thing I can do to make my winter panorama extra enticing?

When occupied with curiosity within the backyard, most individuals take into consideration flowers. In areas the place winters are gentle, there are some flowers that may bloom all 12 months spherical. Pansies, violas, geraniums, inventory, petunias, lantana, and winter-flowering bulbs can carry some much-needed shade to your backyard within the winter, however there are different types of curiosity out there.

The very best time to prune most timber is within the winter after they’ve shed all their leaves. Prune comparatively early within the winter and luxuriate in their stark, leafless magnificence. Timber with attention-grabbing bark textures can change into focal factors within the backyard. (I personally love the sleek texture of fig bark.)

Some crops produce berries within the late fall and winter. Toyon, a California native, bears enticing little crimson berries that entice migrating birds. Pyracantha additionally bears little berries which might be fairly enticing.

Decorative grasses could be trimmed any time of the 12 months, but when left to develop full within the winter will present attention-grabbing texture and shelter for wildlife. Select fastidiously since many widespread decorative grasses are actually on the invasive species checklist.

When selecting what to plant, do not forget that there’s greater than flowers to think about!

Q. What forms of winter squash are greatest for cooking?

Butternut squash, acorn squash, delicata, and a few pumpkins are all simple to arrange and have a pleasing texture. Simply reduce in half, scoop out the seeds, brush the reduce facet with butter or olive oil, and place the reduce facet down on a baking sheet and bake till a knife goes into the flesh simply. Scoop the flesh out, toss with slightly butter and brown sugar and also you’ve obtained a tasty facet dish.

Spaghetti squash could be cooked the identical method, however as an alternative of scooping the flesh out with a spoon, use a fork and rake the strands out right into a bowl. I like serving this with a beneficiant quantity of butter, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.

Any of the flamboyant pumpkins out there proper now can be baked and served in the identical method as most winter squash. Some varieties have completely different textures (for example, turban squash is dense and fairly dry), however most could be seasoned and served the identical method.

Winter squash could be saved for a number of months if saved in a cool, dry atmosphere. To forestall mildew from forming, I prefer to wipe them down with a paper towel soaked with vodka. Your native warehouse retailer ought to carry cheap vodka so this shouldn’t be too pricey to do.

Los Angeles County

mglosangeleshelpline@ucdavis.edu; 626-586-1988; http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/

Orange County

ucceocmghotline@ucanr.edu; 949-809-9760; http://mgorange.ucanr.edu/

Riverside County

anrmgriverside@ucanr.edu; 951-683-6491 ext. 231; https://ucanr.edu/websites/RiversideMG/

San Bernardino County

mgsanbern@ucanr.edu; 909-387-2182; http://mgsb.ucanr.edu