TIPS FOR BULBS IN DECEMBER:

Enjoy the blooms of forced bulbs such as Hyacinth and Amaryllis bulbs that were previously forced in November. 

Watch for signs of soft or mold on bulbs if stored over winter. If they have started to rot or decay, remove them and throw them out. (This can occur if moisture gets into storage area.) 

Plant tulips after cold treatment (in mild areas) for earlier blooms. 





TIPS FOR FLOWERS:

Keep your hedges trimmed with a rounded top so that the snow won't collect and break branches. You never know when you'll get a surprise snowfall. (In 1996 we got almost 4 feet over night) 

Don't allow potted Azaleas to dry out. The soil must remain moist. 

Remove all leaves from around your rock gardens. Moisture retention will cause surrounding plant stems and leaves to decay. 

When cutting evergreen foliage from the garden for Christmas decor, cut just above a bud. This ensures that no spurs will be left to encourage decay. 

Pack down the soil around newly planted roses, trees and shrubs on a regular basis until spring. 

Check your shrubs on a regular basis for damaged branches that may need removing. 

Prune roses anytime from now until springtime. Use thick lined leather gloves to pull the stem away from the thorny branches to avoid scratches. 





TIPS FOR VEGETABLES:

Plant shallots on the shortest day of the year (December 21) and harvest on the longest. (June 21) Shallot can also be planted in late winter, just before spring. 

Harvest turnips and continue to harvest leek, late maturing carrots, brussels sprouts and parsnip. 





GENERAL YARD & GARDEN CARE:

Don't walk on soil unnecessarily. It will compact and damage it's structure. 

Rake up all leaves and place them on a compost heap. If left on paths they become a hazard when the colder weather comes. 

When cutting large branches from trees, start underneath and cut about halfway through. Then cut from above and there will be no tearing. 

If you have couch grass in your vegetable patch, don't use a rototiller to cultivate soil or the problem will get worse. 





TIPS FOR FRUIT & BERRIES:

Cut out any dead or weak canes of Blueberries between now and February. Use sharp pruning shears. 

Prune red and white currents from now until early spring. 

Replace damaged or broken supports for fruit trees now. 

If rabbits are a pest in your area, make sure wire netting or plastic guards have been fitted around trunks of young fruit trees. Young ones are the first to be attacked and if they are totally girdled they will not survive. 

If it's to cold to give your dog a bath now, rub baking soda into its fur to keep him/her fresh smelling. (oops that's not a garden tip) 





TIPS FOR LAWNS:

If you need a new lawn mower, now is the time to look around for bargains. 

Scatter wormcasts and remove dead grass and leaves if the surface of your lawn is not to wet or frosty. 

If you were not able to repair worn patches of lawn in the early fall, use erosion mats to stop soil from washing away and to keep the problem from getting worse. 

--------------------------------------------------
Thank you for visiting www.gardeningtips.org Gardener's Paradise