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A. Time to groom those perennials beds that look ragged with out delay. Clean up by cutting back close to ground. This works especially well with Lantana, lirope, copper canyon daisy.

Add a thin layer of compost to provide gentle nutrition every time you water and mulch well. Prune again in summer and your perennial beds can look good all year.

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Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) has shiny heart shaped leaves. A small tree, 10-15 feet tall, it is very adapted to our soil although not especially long lived.

Blossoms are pink violet color and appear before the leaves. Use the true Texas Redbud since the eastern variety is not as well adapted for this area.

The Mexican Redbud, Cercis canadensis 'mexicana', has larger frilly leaves. Both do well in a southwestern-look landscape.

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• Time to cut back your herbs in the garden and add compost; mulch well. If herbs are not doing as well as expected, check the amount of sunlight they receive. They may need to be relocated so they get more sun.
• Finish pruning trees, especially oaks and use wound paint on the cuts of the oaks.
• Time to set out onion bulbs and plant potatoes.
• Last time before spring to use Dormant oil. Do not use within 48 hours of freezing weather.

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