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December garden chores

I'm going to Seattle for Thanksgiving -- not returning until early December, so I won't be filing any blog entries until I return. Here are some things to do while I'm gone.

  • Early in the month, spray broadleaf evergreens with anti-desiccant, which will help keep them well-hydrated over the winter.

  • Take hardwood cuttings of shrubs. Propagate in the garage or garden shed in a mixture of sand and peat moss.

  • Add mulch to perennial beds, but mound it no more than 3 inches high to avoid trapping rot-causing moisture. You can recycle your Christmas tree needles and branches for this purpose.

  • Compost your vegetable patch. The folks at Cornell Cooperative Extension recommend turning the soil now to break the hibernation pattern of soil-wintering insects and reducing their appearances next year.

  • Take good care of your Christmas tree. (Click for tips.)

  • Ensure that your houseplants get plenty of sunlight. The winter sun is no substitute for its summer counterpart, so be sure indoor plants get a western or southern exposure. Rotate their pots every couple of days to keep them from bending toward the sun. Also, avoid setting them on radiators.

    Enjoy -- and have a happy holiday!

    • Posted by Jessica Damiano on November 15, 2006 12:08 PM |

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