Gardening in December is an important task that gives an excellent start to the coming growing season. Here is what to do this month.
Confused? What to do in the Garden in December! Here are the things that you can do this chilling month. You can plan ahead for the coming spring months and do more fun stuff this festive month to make gardening in December a fruitful task.
To-Do List of Gardening in December
1. Trim and Prune
It’s the correct time for cutting dead branches and trimming bushes, trees, roses, or shrubs for a perfect shape. In winter, it becomes easier to see where and what to prune as there is less foliage. Pruning will encourage productivity and new growth.
2. Feed the Birds
Make an arrangement for feeding hungry birds as in winter months they don’t have fruits and worms. Keep the bird feeder on a safe place away from strong chilling winds.
Note: Make sure to wash the bird baths, feeders, and tables.
3. Clean the Gutters
Make pretty sure to clean gutters after the leaves have fallen off the trees. Leaves clog the pathway in gutters, getting filled up with dead foliage and rotten twigs, resisting the gutter to function properly.
4. Safeguard Delicate Plants
Maximum plants can withstand freezing months, but some require a layer of extra protection. Fragile flowers like dahlias, citrus trees, and spring-blooming shrubs, including rhododendrons and azaleas, are plants that need an added covering during the winter.
5. Mulch Using Straw
Mulching is essential in winter than spring, it adds moisture and prevent weed. Add a layer of straw to preserve the soil from temperature fluctuations as the plants are dormant and the ground is frozen.
Mulching is essential in winter than spring, it adds moisture and prevent weed.
6. Keep Composting
It is true that decomposition is slow in winter, but do not make it a reason to avoid composting. When warm weather takes place, the compost will begin to cook again.
7. Shut Off Sprinklers
Stop the water supply to the sprinklers and prevent frozen pipes. Also, the controller must be turned off to discontinue an automatic irrigation system. Don’t forget to empty store hoses so they do not crack from cold temperatures.
8. Take Off Snow
It’s quite relaxing to see a pristine white landscape after a snowfall, but you have to move outside as well to shrug the snow off shrubs, tree branches, and bushes, as the extra weight can deform and bend the plants.
Note: Do not remove snow from the ground, as it works as an insulator.
9. Place an Order for Seeds
Make a plan in advance, as seed catalogs start coming into the market during early winter. Order seeds early to prepare the spring garden before they run out.
10. Get ready the Tools
Check the record of all the gardening tools, repair or replace broken items, sharpen blades, clean tools, and wipe them off with linseed oil on the metal and wooden areas to avoid rusting.
Points to Consider
- Pick your garden fork and turn the soil in the lawn to enhance aeration and drainage.
- Do not walk on your lawn when it is covered in dense snow or frost, as this can damage the grass.
- Keep your shears/lawnmowers sharpened and serviced when they are in less use.