Winter

Winter in Southern California can be a wonderful time to garden as long as you pick a day that's not rainy or windy. There are always sunny, mild days during the winter months that make working outside an especially pleasant experience.
January is a great time to plant California natives and other Mediterranean plants.
Nurseries are full of bare-root fruit trees, grape vines, berries, and roses to plant now.
Remember to water plants under eaves that haven't been reached by rains.
If rain is scarce, do water natives as this is their growing season.
Cut back ragged Grasses and Salvias that weren't cut back in late Fall.
Roses are going as dormant as they go here in SoCal, and they can be pruned back by about a third now. Leaves should be cleaned up from under your rose bushes and thrown away.
Pull weeds out after rains.
Throw a few inches of new mulch all around your perennials.
Keep planting those cool-season veggies, like lettuces and greens.
It's a good time to choose and plant Camellias and Azaleas, most of which are blooming now.

Many succulents are blooming now too, and they make quite a show at places like The Huntington Gardens and The Arboretum. Don't forget to check out the Camellias at Descanso Gardens and The Huntington as well..

And it's a great time of year to go for a hike!