It's blossom season in Fresno County. (Photos: Jeannette Warnert)

Tasks

• Continue fruit tree spraying and spray fungicide on apple and cherry trees.
• Weed by hand-pulling, hoeing, or if there is no alternative, apply herbicide on a calm day so that spray will not drift.

Pruning

• After bloom, prune spring-flowering shrubs, trees, and vines to improve shape.
• Shear back ornamental grasses and ground covers such as lantana, verbena, Asian jasmine, and vinca.
• Shape hedges.

Fertilizing

• Apply one third of the needed amount of fertilizer to deciduous fruit and nut trees.
• Wait until after bloom to fertilize acid-loving plants and use a product formulated for them.
• Fertilize blooming ornamental deciduous trees 2 or 3 weeks after bloom.

Prune spring-flowering trees, shrubs and vines after bloom.

• Sow seeds for summer vegetables. Although many vegetables can be planted this month, tomatoes, summer squash, and beans are better planted later in spring.
• Annuals: impatiens, alyssum (Lobularia), plant from seed.
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: tiger flower (Tigridia).
• Fruits and vegetables: daikon, eggplant, melon, carrots, plant from seed.
• Perennials: Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), coral bells (Heuchera), gayfeather (Liatris).
• Trees, shrubs, vines: California lilac (Ceanothus), deodar (Cedrus deodara), redbud (Cercis occidentalis), citrus.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: dianthus, Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: grape hyacinth (Muscari), ‘Paper White' narcissus.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: saucer magnolia, star magnolia.
• Fruits and vegetables: lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas.

Things to ponder

• Protect tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant from a late frost by using hot caps or floating row covers.