Illustration by Denise Wantz

WHAT TO PLANT
(Mid-Elevations)
- Choose bare-root plants—Plant fruit trees, shade trees and roses. Fruit trees are rated by the number of chilling hours they require annually to set fruit, so choosing varieties with winter chill requirements that match your elevation is important. Typically, chilling hours are defined as the number of hours below 45 degrees. At elevations between 2,500 to 4,000 feet, plant apple, apricot, cherry, peach, pear and plum types that require 400 to 700 chilling hours. At over 4,000 to 6,000 feet, fruit trees thrive with 700 to 1,000 chilling hours. For apricots, try ‘Blenheim’ or ‘Castle-brite’, both of which require 500 hours. For cooler locations, try ‘Goldcot’ (800 hours) or ‘Moorpark’ (600-700 hours). These varieties are self-fruitful, meaning they do not need a second tree to cross-pollinate and bear fruit.
- Vegetable and perennial seeds—Sow indoors or in a greenhouse or cold frame for transplanting in the garden in eight to 12 weeks.

(Mid- and High Elevations)
- Design a fire-defensible landscape—Use winter’s downtime to plan landscape improvements that will withstand wildfires. For example, choose plants with characteristics such as high moisture content; low resin content; open, airy structure; drought-tolerance; and limited dry litter accumulation. For fire-wise design principles and a list of fire-wise plant materials for elevations of 3,000 feet and higher, go to cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/defspace/index.html.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE
(Mid-Elevations)
- Cover frost-tender plants—Use burlap, sheets or frost cloth. Wherever possible, erect a temporary framework of poles, stakes or PVC piping to drape the covering over plants and keep it from touching foliage, which can worsen frost damage to plant tissue. The goal is to trap heat radiating up from the soil beneath the cover. Remove cover by 10 a.m. the next morning to prevent heat buildup, which encourages plant buds to break dormancy. Such tender new growth is very susceptible to further frost damage.
- Prune—If needed, trim dormant deciduous trees and shrubs to remove dead, broken, diseased, weak or crossing branches. For details on fruit tree pruning, which is essential for enhanced production, go to cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/pruning/fruit.
- Prepare garden beds—Spread several inches of compost over beds to ready them for spring planting. As organic matter decomposes, nutrients are released into the soil.

(High Elevations)
- Snow—When shoveling sidewalks and driveways, deposit snow around plants for added insulation. Knock heavy snow off tree and shrub branches to prevent breakage, but allow ice buildup to melt on its own. Prune limbs damaged by storms or heavy snowfall as soon as possible.
- Mulch—Layer 6 to 8 inches of organic mulch (pine needles, dried leaves, chipped matter, straw) around landscape plants after the ground freezes. Mulch insulates and prevents frost heave, which forces roots up and out of the ground when soil alternately freezes and thaws.

(Mid- and High Elevations)
-  Water—Evergreens continue to transpire (release moisture) during winter and may need water twice per month if there is little precipitation. Water other woody landscape trees and shrubs monthly. Apply water early in the day when air temperature is above 40 degrees.