Don’t Forget Your Garden In December
Dec 26th 2018
The holiday season is in full swing, but try not to forget about your garden! December may not sound like a good month for gardening yet it’s a great month to get your hands dirty. From planting hardy flower bulbs that burst with color to making sure visiting feathered friends are cared for, Evergreen Lawn Care provides a few ways to spend time in the garden this month!
Plant & Transplant Bulbs
If you’re looking for large blooms, make sure to plant the largest bulbs as these produce flowers of an equivalent size. Only plant bulbs that are dry and firm — any bulbs with soft spots should be thrown away. Amaryllis are popular because these gorgeous perennials are hardy and versatile. Amaryllis can be force-grown in a pot indoors or planted in an outdoor flower bed, preferably in a lightly shaded area. Producing a range of colors, amaryllis can brighten any dreary December day.
Add Another Mulch Layer
Add more mulch around the base of shrubs and trees after the first frost. This layer should be two inches deep and not banked up against the trunk. Chopped up fallen leaves, finely shredded pine bark, or pine straw are excellent mulch choices. Mulch helps protect the root system from extreme cold while suppressing weed growth during the winter and into the spring.
Time To Prune & Clean-Up
December is the time to prune and clean up trees, shrubs, and flowers. Remove damaged or diseased branches and/or limbs from trees while cutting off any brown flowers on perennials, also known as deadheading. Deadheading encourages longer lasting second blooms for many flowers, such as bleeding heart and salvia. Weedy trees, such as elm and oak, may begin to sprout seedlings during December. It’s best to pull and remove these seedlings now before they have an opportunity to establish.
Stock Up On A Bird Feeder Or Two
As various migratory birds begin to dot the landscape, Gainesville gardeners can welcome them with well-stocked bird feeders and bird baths. The northern part of Florida, including Gainesville, features the largest variety and amount of wintering land birds. Blue jays, red-winged blackbirds, house finch, and indigo buntings are a few examples of birds who embody the term snowbirds as they flock to Florida in the colder months.
Evergreen Lawn Care provides a full range of professional lawn service Gainesville, FL residents can count on in December and all year long. Our team understands busy schedules can interfere with the time you’d planned on caring for the lawn. Don’t worry about carving out the time again — call us today to schedule an appointment!
Establish New Trees & Shrubs
December is a good time to plant bare-root trees and shrubs. Bare-root trees are usually more of a bargain than potted trees without sacrificing quality. Check local garden centers and nurseries for citrus, fruit, and nut trees. If you’re adding shrubs to any Gainesville landscaping, flowering quince, hydrangea, and spirea can be planted in December. These shrubs are cold-hardy and can withstand most winter conditions in Florida.
Protect Plants From Freezing
It’s hard to predict when frost — especially a hard freeze — will occur in our area which makes appropriately watering plants and landscaping in Gainesville, FL even more important. Well-watered plants have a higher tolerance for frost and freezing conditions than parched plants. But, a thorough watering before a predicted freeze generally provides enough water for the plant to come through the freeze without damage.
Any plant covering used during a cold snap needs to extend to the ground. This is to hold radiant heat around the plant and in the soil which prevents frost from forming on the surfaces. Common materials used to cover plants include bed sheets and burlap. If possible, move container plants to a covered porch or inside a garage or shed — while still covering them — for frost protection.
