By Jackie Sledge, Big Country Master Gardener Association
I can’t believe it’s almost December, and I haven’t finished my November landscape tasks! I had purchased several shrubs and trees but just hadn’t found the time and energy to plant them. I followed the advice we give everyone and contacted 811 to have the yard marked so I wouldn’t accidentally cut or damage our underground utilities when I started digging holes to plant. The weather forecast shows cool or cold nights but nice days for the next couple of weeks so it will be a perfect time to complete the last of the November tasks and try to get the December ones finished before the Christmas rush takes over.
I am prioritizing the plans on my “to do” list and rely on the task lists from Lone Star Gardening by Neil Sperry and Texas Garden Almanac by Doug Welsh to keep me on track with what I need to do each month. Here are some of the recommendations for December:
Planting Tasks:
- Plant winter annuals such as pansies, snapdragons, and ornamental cabbage and kale in beds and containers for both color and landscape interest during the winter.
- Plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, grape hyacinths, and summer snowflakes. The tulip and Dutch hyacinth bulbs that have been chilling in the refrigerator need to be planted from middle to late December. Don’t plant bulbs too deep.
- Purchase fruit and pecan trees, grapes, and berry vines, and plant them in December.
- Purchase a living Christmas tree that may survive in our climate, and plant it this month.
- Add landscape plants that provide winter color from leaves, berries, or flowers.
Pruning Tasks:
- Do not prune freeze-damaged perennials since it can be difficult to determine what is dead or alive. The damaged stems can provide insulation for the plant during the rest of the winter, and then they can be removed when the plant starts growing again in the spring.
- Prune trees to remove dead or damaged branches or branches that are too low. If there are branches that could break in winter wind or ice storms, have them cabled for support.
- Remove tree roots that can damage concrete surfaces.
- Prune shrubs during winter to reduce their height or width. Use hand pruners for a natural look.
- Do not “top” crape myrtles because this causes permanent damage to the plant’s shape. If the plant is too tall or wide, take it out or relocate it.
- Cut mistletoe when it first starts growing. Remove the mistletoe and the twig where it’s attached.
- Remove 80 to 85 percent of cane growth on grapes to ensure larger clusters of higher-quality fruit.
- Prune fruit trees. Remove vertical shoots on peaches and plums to maintain a bowl-shaped form and to keep the tree 10-12 feet tall and 15-18 feet wide. Remove dead or damaged branches from pecans, pears, pomegranates, and figs. Remove vertical shoots from apple trees.
What to Feed:
- Feed winter annuals so the plants will grow during warm days. Use a water-soluble, high-nitrogen fertilizer.
- Feed newly planted trees and shrubs.
- Feed the compost pile. Add 1 cup of high-nitrogen plant food per cubic yard of compost, and turn the pile to blend it in.
- Feed and water actively growing vegetables. Be sure to harvest crops regularly to avoid damage from freezing temperatures.
Troubleshooting and Miscellaneous Tips:
- Apply a broadleaf weedkiller early in the month when the temperature is above 70 degrees. This will help eliminate broadleaf weeds such as clover, dandelions, and henbit.
- Mulch to help lessen or prevent evaporation of moisture in the soil and to moderate soil temperatures.
- Check for pests on house plants. Treat the plants to eliminate any insects found.
- Water the landscape at least once in December if there isn’t any rain.
- Plan for freezing weather. Disconnect hoses from faucets, cover faucets, and turn off the sprinkler system. Cover vulnerable plants with boxes, blankets, or frost cloth if a hard freeze is predicted. Containers and pots should be moved indoors or into the garage until the temperature is above freezing again.
- Mow winter weeds, and mow cool season turfgrass regularly.
- Take your mower in for a tune-up or repair now while business is slower than in the spring months.
Be sure to have fresh water and food available for the birds.
If you have any questions, call the Taylor County Extension Office at 325-672-6048 or email us at mgardeners@yahoo.com. We hope you visit bcmgtx.org for all Big Country Master Gardener information and events, like us on BCMGA Facebook, and check out training presentations on BCMGA YouTube. We are here to help you.
