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December Garden Tips
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Pruning trees and shrubs can be done
more easily in winter because the leaves are off the trees. Begin
light pruning by removing watersprouts, dead, or crossing branches.
Avoid pruning spring-flowering plants until after they bloom
in spring.
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Protect shallow-rooted perennials, such
as mums, coral bells, shasta daisy, and crocus, from the freeze-thaw
cycles common in winter, by covering plants with evergreen boughs
from leftover holiday greens and Christmas trees.
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Apply winter mulch to the bases of
roses once the ground freezes. A 12” mound of soil or compost,
heaped at the base of the rosebush, will protect the crown of most
roses from repeated freezing and thawing.
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Spray evergreens with an anti-transpirant
to prevent winter burn caused by cold, drying winter winds.
Broadleaved evergreens such as rhododendrons, are especially
susceptible to winter burn.
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Protect multi-stemmed evergreens such
as arborvitae, junipers, and yews, from winter storm damage by tying
trunks together with old nylons or cotton twine. Remove in the
spring.
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Avoid using heavy amounts of deicing
material around plants along sidewalks and parking areas this
winter, to avoid toxic buildup of the deicing chemicals in the soil.
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Gently shake or brush off heavy snow
that accumulates on shrubs and small trees before it freezes, to
avoid branch breakage from the extra weight.
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Clean and repair all garden tools
before storing.
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Start planning for next year’s garden
activities. Ask Santa for better tools, gift certificates, and
magazine subscriptions.
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Begin monitoring for animal damage as
food sources become scarce.
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Remember to keep bird feeders filled
and provide clean, thawed water for our over-wintering bird friends.
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Celebrate the Winter Solstice on Dec.
22, by getting outside for a walk in nature’s beauty. The hours of
daylight start getting longer after Dec. 22.
Garden tips provided in part by
The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. |
