Provided you were a busy little bee in November, all your garden tasks are pretty much done with until springtime. Oh, wait, no they're not! Since we don't live somewhere that's frozen half the year (like, say, the Midwest), gardening and playing in your yard is a year-round pursuit. Even in the winter. Even in December. Between the cool temps, the sweat you'll break under that hoodie and vest and the satisfaction of knowing you're working off that quart of eggnog and plate of sugar cookies (yeah, that's right, we saw you), gardening in December is a joy. There's just enough to keep you busy in between parties and decorating and shopping. Now, what to do...
| Planting |
Sow Seeds |
Transplant Plants |
Fertilize and Prune |
| Trees | - | Trees |
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| Shrubs |
Shrubs |
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| Daffodil bulbs |
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| Tulip bulbs |
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| Crocus bulbs | |||
| Hyacinth bulbs |
Chores
- Keep dealing with those leaves. We know. They're around till January.
- Make sure those hoses are put away. For real. They'll freeze, and you'll be angry about having to buy new ones next spring!
- Check and inventory your seed stash, if you keep one.
- Make sure your yard is getting enough water, especially plants tucked under eaves that might not get rainwater.
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| Istock |
In the (Vegetable) Garden
- This is the time to amend your soil with wood ashes, if the soil needs it. Grange Coop says 1.5 pounds per 100 square feet maximum, and don't use it if your soil pH is over 7.
- If you want to work some leaves or now-dead plant matter into your garden, go for it!
Where the Flowers Grow
- Keep your eyes out for slugs. Rebait if necessary.
- Spray your roses for diseases using copper fungicide or lime sulfur
- Hurry up and plant your bulbs already!
- Rip out any remaining now-dead plants and compost them
- Trim perennials back
Trees
- Still good for planting.
- Spray your spruce trees to control spruce aphids
- Wrap young fruit and nut tree trunks to prevent sun damage
Other Recommendations
- Don't let your kids go tramping around in the grass when it's frozen
- Fertilize your houseplants
- Enjoy living in a beautiful, green, tree-filled state by going to chop down your own Christmas tree
- Have a very Merry Christmas from all of us at RVG!
