Around the Yard

Things to do this week:

* Buy berries. The season for planting bare-root fruit trees and roses is in full swing, but don’t forget berries, also best planted bare root. If you want the most bang for your buck, look for varieties that do well in Southern California, such as ‘Ollalie,’ ‘Thornless Boysen’ or ‘Marion’ blackberry, or ‘Bababerry’ raspberry.

Blackberries in particular produce huge crops for a much longer time than most fruit trees and take up less space. Some raspberries produce two crops a year (although crops are small).

* Think natives. At least one native-plant expert thinks that January may be the single best month to plant California native trees, shrubs and perennials, and since it still hasn’t rained, you can even plant wildflowers from seed.

* Rest houseplants. Even though they are snug and safe indoors, houseplants also go into a near-dormancy in winter. Be careful not to over-water them and do not fertilize. Don’t expect them to grow much until spring arrives.

* Continue planting. You can still plant most spring- and winter-blooming flowers--from snapdragons to sweet peas--as well as the cool-season vegetables, such as carrots, peas and broccoli.

If growing vegetables from seed in the ground, try watering them in and then covering rows with clear plastic or a floating row cover, which will trap warmth and speed germination.

Asparagus and rhubarb are two vegetables sold bare root now that can be planted in partial shade, according to the Los Angeles Cooperative Extension Common Ground Program.