December Gardening Tips
Time flies when you're having fun in the garden, doesn't it? One minute you're one with nature digging in the dirt, singing with the birds passing by and the next you're cooped indoors brainstorming all that you look forward to planting in the next season. This December don't throw in the towel until Spring. There is still plenty for us Gardeners to do! For a little inspiration, we've created a checklist for you to stay on top of your gardening game this December.
November Checklist
As always let's make sure we're caught up on our November's to-do list before marking it off and moving along to December. Below we created a few good items to take care of in November that may or may not apply to you, but it's better to be safe than sorry!
|
|
Divide overgrown perennials and replant. No room? They make a good Christmas present in a pot for a gardening friend (make sure to tag them). |
 |
If you run your pond pump during the winter, raise it on to a ledge in the pond to recirculate only the top layer of water. |
|
Start paper whites and other indoor forcing bulbs for Christmas color. They need approximately seven weeks to bloom. |
|
Plant evergreens, perennials, containerized fruit & shade trees. |
|
All your bulbs should be dusted with sulfur or bulb dust prior to storing them away. |
|
Prune back Rose of Sharon and P.G. hydrangeas. Tidy up perennials. |
|
Construct a comport bin and create your own organic rich soil with garden refuse and leaves. Use Rot-it to quicken the process. |
|
There’s still time to apply dolomite lime to your lawn. |
|
Tie up cypress and globe cedar trees so heavy snows will not destroy their shape. |
December Checklist
Whether you have snow or not, our December checklist should keep you busy tying up a few loose ends this season, especially for those interested in holiday décor! Here are a few items to consider taking care of in-between your spring planting daydreams.
|
Mulch ornamental beds and cane fruits with composted manure. |
|
Do not cut holly while the weather is freezing. This will make the berries black. Fresh evergreen boughs can be cut anytime to maintain a fresh supply indoors. Spruce, balsam and cedar boughs will last the longest. |
|
Remember the birds. A food that most birds will eat is black oil sunflower seed. |
|
Watch for the first Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) blossoms outdoor and Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) branches can be brought indoors for fragrant blooms. |
|
Poinsettia care: Remember the 3 M's. Moderate bright light, moderate watering and moderate temperature. Avoid access hot or cold areas. |
|
With proper care, a real Christmas tree should last 5 weeks or longer making the first week of December the perfect time to put up a real Christmas tree. |
|
Remember to water the root ball and spray the branches with "wilt pruf" to prevent excess drying. If the weather is severely cold after Christmas, acclimatize the tree by hardening off in stages. |
