December
in the Garden
Cold weather and not enough moisture can kill your plants. Yes, plants do need watering in the winter, especially if it was a dry fall and not much snowfall later. Plants and shrubs under tall evergreens and under the shelter of the house eaves get little benefit from rain or snow, so check them carefully.
Sub-zero temperatures mean you need to protect your plants. Cover them with some kind of cloth, supported by stakes or something so the cloth isn't resting on any leaves or fragile branch tips. Remove the covering when the weather gets better.
As long as the ground isn't freezing, you can still plant spring-flowering bulbs. Plant them to the proper depth (about 6" for tulips and 3" for daffodils), and add fertilizer and compost to the planting hole.
Plant any trees and shrubs now too (not in a blizzard though!) Add compost or some organic soil enrichment to the hole, and stake the tree against winter winds. Remember to water!
Fruits trees like plums, cherries, and peaches can be pruned now. Other fruit trees, shade trees, and shrubs can wait until after the first of the year.
It won't hurt to clip a few evergreen branches to bring inside for the holidays. Just be sure that you take them from places on the tree where the gap won't be obvious.
If you like to propagate your own plants, now is a good time to take cuttings of evergreens, including heathers, rhododendrons, azaleas.
Keep adding to the compost heap. The heat generated inside the pile will break down the waste you add.
Trim a tree for the birds! Popcorn, stale doughnuts, peanut butter, and suet will be appreciated by those brave enough to stay over in the winter.
Get a cup of cocoa, turn on some holiday music and enjoy the snow (through the window of course).
For more detailed information on gardening and lawn care in your area, contact:
http://www.yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu or your county extension office
Iowa Master Gardener Program (Call us with your questions 10am to noon and 1-4:30pm, M-F--515-294-3108 or contact us via e-mail: hortline@iastate.edu)
Your local garden center.
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