Start prepping the garden now for a vibrant spring bloom

January is coming to a close, and plants will be leafing out before we know it. The hellebores are just opening up into full bloom. I’m hoping for more rain into late spring, but you never know. If you want new fruit trees or roses, bare-root season is ending. Buying plants that have been field grown and uprooted when dormant is the best possible start for the root system. West End Nursery has bins with bare-root trees and roses. You’ll take the tree home in a plastic bag to keep its roots moist and should plant it immediately or temporarily put the roots in damp soil. Marin’s rainy conditions are perfect for ensuring a good start. (Diane Lynch photo / For The Ark)

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