December Garden Tips

Christmas is coming! If you haven’t already purchased a Christmas tree, here are some tips: pick the freshest possible tree, with a minimum amount of needle drop. Cut 1-2” off the bottom of the trunk and soak in a bucket of cool water until you are ready to put in a tree stand. Check the water level daily. You might also choose to purchase a living Christmas tree that can be planted in the landscape. Afghan pine is a great choice for this use. Inspect all electrical equipment such as lights before placing them on the Christmas tree and outside. Have a safe and Merry Holiday season!

THINGS TO PLANT

Flower Plants: Alyssum, Butterfly Weed, Calendula, Candytuft, Cornflower, Dianthus, Daisy (African, Michaelmas and Painted), Liatris, Nasturtium, Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Phlox (paniculata), Snapdragon, Stock. Flower Seeds: Bluebonnet, Calendula, Candytuft, Cornflower, Feverfew, Gaillardia, Gayfeather, Larkspur, Nasturtium, Poppy, Sweet Pea.

Bulbs: Agapanthus, Allium, Alstroemeria, Amarcrinum, Amaryllis (in container), Crinum, Hyacinth, Liriope, Monkey Grass, Muscari, Star of Bethlehem (Orthinogalum), Rain Lily, Society Garlic, Spraxis, Aztec Lily (Sprekelia), Watsonia.

Vegetables:

All Month: Lettuce, Radish, Spinach *Protect cool-season vegetables from hard freezes with row covers.

Fruit: Bare root or container-grown pecans, fruit trees, grapes and berry bushes

TASKS IN THE GARDEN

Fertilize: Fertilize bulbs with bone meal in the planting hole. Feed winter bloomers such as alyssum, dianthus and especially pansies every 4-6 weeks.

Water: Water everything well before a freeze to protect against cold injury, but avoid overwatering.

Transplant: Transplant bare-root and container-grown roses, shrubs, trees, groundcovers, and vines so they get established before warm weather arrives next summer.

Prepare Soil: Prepare dormant beds for spring planting: clean out dead and spent plants, compost to enrich the organic content of the soil. Send in soil samples (forms available through Extension Office). Check winter mulch and replenish, if needed. Stockpile leaves for mulching and composting throughout spring and summer.

Lawn Care: Run mower and trimmer engines dry of gasoline, drain and change oil. Take them to the repair shop now to avoid the spring rush. Clean and oil ALL tools before storing for winter.

Diseases/pests to look for: Watch for scale, mealybugs and spider mites on houseplants. Root rot fungus thrives on over-watered houseplants.

Other Things to Do: Time to get the garden ready for the new growing season. Clean, repair, and replace garden tools. Create a garden plan to help organize your chores and planting schedules. Recycle your Christmas tree. Contact your Extension Office for more information on Christmas tree recycling. Order spring vegetable seeds now. Remember the gardeners you know with gifts of tools, apparel, yard art or books.