Gardening To Do List for December - Big Y® World Class Market®

OUTDOORS

Winter weather conditions.

INDOORS

Make holiday decorations from garden cuttings, using needle and broadleaf evergreens, berries, vines and ground cover. Spray with antidesiccant to retard moisture loss.

Twist grapevines into wreaths and accent with pine cones, seed pods, and dried herbs and flowers.

If forcing bulbs for spring indoor color, sufficiently pre-cool- then bring them into warmer temperatures. Bulbs require a chilling period of about 10 to 12 weeks at 40 degrees to initiate flower buds and establish root growth.

TOOL TIP

With steel grips for your feet, the threaded digging spade is extremely useful when working in wet or damp conditions. It's also good for heavy-weight tasks, like preparing the ground, digging holes, and transplanting.

WINTER PROTECTION

After leaf fall, mulch perennials and other small plants with salt hay, straw, pine needles, leaves or branches of discarded Christmas trees to prevent heaving during periods of thawing and freezing.
Ventilate cold frames until ground freezes, then close and mulch lightly to cover with straw matting.
Set tree guards to protect ornamental apples and cherries from rodent damage.
Protect roses from winter weather by mounding soil approximately 12 inches high to insulate the graft union. Additional organic mulch such as straw, compost, or chopped leaves can be placed on top.
Inventory leftover supplies. Store remaining insecticides or herbicides safely and protect from freezing; keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
Prune evergreens for holiday decorations.
Avoid walking on frozen grass; it causes bare spots.
Mulch bulb beds to protect from thawing and freezing and to conserve moisture if winter is dry. Check all hardy bulbs potted earlier; move indoors into good light when roots develop and 2 to 3 inches of new growth is visible.