FALLBROOK GARDENING UPDATE (cont'd)

SEASONAL CHORES: As you do clean-up in your yard, be smart with your debris. Most plant material is great to add to a compost pile. However, any plants that have suffered with diseases this year probably have spores existing on them. It is better to bag and throw away fallen leaves and trimmings from these plants, rather than keeping for mulch or compost material.

Don't forget it is time for dormant spray on many plants in December and January, especially your deciduous fruit trees. Copper or lime-sulfur are the typical choices for preventing diseases, and dormant oil spray for killing off insects and their eggs. It's easy to forget this important chore, with many holiday activities demanding our time, but you'll be rewarded with fewer problems next summer if you get it done.

Thank you for your loyal patronage this year. It's a joy knowing and working with the Fallbrook gardening community. On behalf of Ed, Diane, Dave, Candace, Gene, and Dan, we wish you Happy Holidays and good health to you and your loved ones (and to your plants!).