There’s not a lot of new landscaping tips to give you for December, but here are a few.
Pansies, Panolas and Violets can still be planted in December. They do better in cooler temperatures. Be sure to keep them watered well and mulch new plants.
If you haven’t already, plant spring bulbs like anemones, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocuses before the ground freezes. A bulb fertilizer or bone meal encourages good root development.
Houseplants are semi-dormant now and do not need much water. Over-watering is the # 1 killer of houseplants. Fertilize house plants as needed.
This is still a good time to transplant and divide plants as the top growth is dormant and plants are working on their root systems. Use only a slow release fertilizer this time of year to avoid new top growth. Keep the plants watered before and after you move them.
Plant fruit trees now while soils are cool.
Have your soil tested through your county extension office and get a jump on the next season. Wintertime is ideal for thinking ahead to your spring garden. Think about the area you have to work with and what kind of plants will work in that area. Take the sun and or shade into consideration when picking your plants. Is the area wet or dry? All these things need to be planned around.
Replenish or replace mulch to 3 – 4 inches around trees, shrubs and beds. Continue cleaning up flower beds by pruning or cutting back dead foliage and weeding your beds. Check to see how deep your mulch already is and mulch dormant perennials by spreading a 2 – 3 inch layer over the ground but don’t go over 4 inches deep of mulch. If you already have sufficient mulch you can freshen it up by raking the mulch to turn over the brighter colored layer. Wait until late winter to cut back perennials and ornamental grasses so their seeds can provide food for birds.
Most trees and shrubs should not be pruned until late winter/early spring except to remove dead or damaged limbs. Spring blooming shrubs such as azaleas should not be pruned until after they flower.
Remove leaves from lawn and bed areas. Chop leaves up with a mulching mower and leave on the lawn or use them in your beds. Ground up leaves makes a good mulch. As with regular mulch, make sure to clear leaves out from around your trees and shrubs to cut back on disease and insects.
Keep the lawn watered if there is no significant rainfall.
Please let us know if we can help you with your lawn or landscaping. We have a wide variety of products to help with your landscaping needs at our nursery and mulch yard. We can also provide you with a pest/fungus/fertilization program. This program can and will help keep your lawn and your shrubs/trees healthy.
From all of us at Miller’s Lawn & Landscaping, please spend some time with loved ones, remember the reason for the season and have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.