Gardening calendar

December

  
The Garden Gossip

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  • Christmas trees hold needles longer if you make a clean, fresh cut at the base and keep the trunk in standing water.
     
  • This month is a perfect time to prune evergreens, such as holly, pine, boxwood and magnolia. Use the trimmings to decorate for Christmas. I just trimmed a holly bush that was badly in need of a good trimming and will use the cuttings in my front door wreath, on my fireplace mantel, and in concrete containers on my front porch. I also take cuttings from my red twig dogwood bushes and use them in my Holiday decorations.
     
  • Indoor plants should require less water and food since they are not in active growth, although you need to check the soil frequently as the furnace dries the air in the house. Plants prefer tepid water. Move houseplants back from windows to prevent injury from the cold.
     
  • Sugar Creek Gardens has a wonderful supply of paperwhites, amaryllis, and beautiful containers for these Holiday beauties.
     
  • Root areas of azaleas and rhododendrons should be thoroughly mulched. Any organic material will do, but mulches made from oak leaves, shredded oak bark, or pine needles are preferred.
     
  • Finish planting tulips, daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs.
     
  • Avoid cutting rose tops back too much as severe freezing of foliage can result when plants are cut back. Mulch up around the base of all roses, including climbers, to protect from cold. Tie climbers to prevent damage from wind, snow and ice. Do not prune climbers now -- they are usually pruned in the summer after blooming.
     
  • Keep your bird feeders filled.
     
  • Don’t forget to add birdhouses and feeders to your Christmas gift list for bird loving family members, friends and neighbors.
     
  • Make a wish list of your own that includes a Gift Certificate from Sugar Creek Gardens.
     
  • Visit our home page at www.sugarcreekgardens.com. It has been updated and is spectacular!
     
  • You may have noticed that in your area you have … NO ACORNS!  Mature pin oak trees failed to produce their usual crops of acorns this year. The flowers of most of these trees were damaged or killed in the Easter freeze of 2007 – there were no acorns to mature in the 2008 cycle. The development of acorns of the pin oak requires two seasons. Look for a bumper crop next year!  (You might want to add a squirrel feeder to your gift list.)

Best wishes for the Holidays and the New Year from Sugar Creek Gardens to all our friends!  - Karen Collins