Over the years from various sources, we have compiled a lot of helpful information. Here are the weekly tips first found in our newsletters, along with plants and products that we have spotlighted. We include practices developed here at The Natural Gardener and by other gardening experts.

December

2004

Ok, so most of us have experienced our first frost. What do we do now? Well mostly a lot of nothing. If you have perennials that grow back from the roots, it is actually better for the plant to have the dead stems during the winter. They provide a little extra protection. For the summer annuals that died from the frost, just pull these up and dispose of them and put in some cool season annuals.

Work on the hardscape of your garden. Now, and over the next couple of months, is a great time to work on the "bones" of your garden. Different types of "bones" that can be incorporated into the garden include, rock walls, granite pathways, arbors, statuary, large pots, flagstone seating areas, and large boulders. All of these items are more permanent features that define the garden space. A single, large pot placed at the end of a walkway can lead the visitor to that area. An arbor placed in a line of shrubs can take you into a private, outdoor room. A granite walkway can lead you around the garden to visit all the different beds and reduce the areas that require water. Hardscapes are practical and add beauty to the garden.

Don't forget the Birds!
Make a Holiday tree for the birds and wildlife in your backyard. This is a great activity for kids home from school for the holidays. Be sure to keep a list of the birds that visit your holiday tree. Make strings of popcorn, berries, dried fruit, peanuts and fruit pieces. Make ornaments by filling scraped out orange peels with peanut butter mixed with nuts, spread pinecones with peanut butter and roll in seeds or spread split bagels with peanut butter and press on birdseed. Hang ornaments with colorful ribbons. Be sure to keep birdbaths clean and filled with fresh water.

Plant a tree
One of our staff writes: "My husband and I started a new tradition a few years ago, planting trees on New Year's Day. The first year we planted our living Christmas tree, an Afghan Pine. Last year we planted a total of eight trees. They ranged from an Anacacho Orchid, planted in memory of a dear friend, to a Texas Ash. We hope to the same this year. In central Texas, Fall and Winter are the perfect seasons for tree planting. And, it's a great way to spend New Year's Day together!

"When we planted our trees, we dug a hole at least twice the width and as deep as the root ball. Then we placed the tree in the hole and backfilled with the native soil. As we added the soil, we sprinkled a product called "Tree Saver" around the roots. "Tree Saver" contains beneficial mycorrhizae fungi that attaches to the root system and assists the tree in its ability to fight disease and take up nutrients. When we filled the top of the hole with soil, we made sure that we did not overfill and bury the trunk of the tree. This year we will topdress with our new Sylvan Formula. John formulated the Sylvan Formula to mimic the forest floor, with both bacterial and fungal microorganisms in its blend of compost, hardwood mulch, aerobic compost tea, beneficial minerals, and more - it is perfect for trees. When you topdress your trees, be sure to keep it off the base of the tree trunks. Water them in with a couple of ounces of Maxicrop Seaweed added to each gallon of water. This will give your trees an extra boost."

2003

What I Want for Christmas
These are some of the suggestions that the staff at The Natural Gardener would like, as gardeners, to find underneath their Christmas tree (a living tree of course.)

Nancy - It’s a toss-up between an enclosed composter (the practical) or an angel statue (the aesthetic.) The composter because the critters have torn apart my homemade one - and eaten most of the compost - and compost is important to the environment (recycling) and the health of my garden. The Angel because it will complete the hardscape of one area of my back yard I look at from my kitchen. Everyone needs an angel to look over them.

Karibou - Spade Fork by DeWitt - this is my favorite tool for the garden. It is great for loosening difficult soils and incorporating compost and other amendments into beds.

Tamara - I would love a statue of Venus or actually I would like most any statue from here for my garden. It’s one of those things I probably wouldn’ t buy for myself.

Sharon - A good pair of needle-nose pruners. These are the best for pruning and dead-heading because the narrow tip can easily get in between small twigs.

Kelly - Propagation tools because soon it will be time to start spring seeds indoors for an early crop of tomatoes, and early spring blooming flowers like columbine. Snips - Corona, for taking cuttings and general fine-tuning maintenance of plants. Water equipment including good watering can with fine holes for seedlings - drip proof, Dramm 1000 water beaker hose nozzle for fine watering spray, and fogg-it nozzle from Dramm for cuttings and seed trays. A widger for pricking out plants. Book - How to Grow Native Plants by Jill Nokes contains important native plant propagation information (best book available for this.) A seed starter tray to get the seeds started.

Rosina - An attractive statue - Quan Yin, Venus, Buddha, St. Francis or an angel for my garden or patio. We have some beautiful statues and concrete art, but it is something I might not buy for myself. A statue adds a nice focal point for a garden or patio.

Natasha - Pruners. Especially Felcos. Every gardener needs a good pair of pruners. It is an essential tool for anybody interested in plants and their maintenance. A good pair of pruners will last a lifetime.

Andy - I would want a St. Francis Statue. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals. We have a wonderful selection of sizes and colors (stained.) They are so appropriate for the garden because animals such as birds, reptiles, dogs, cats and just wildlife add a special element to the garden. There is no greater joy than unconditional love that an animal can give.

Jenny - Where to start? Any tool from DeWitt - these are beautiful tools that will last a lifetime and my children’s if I remember to put them away. They have wonderfully sharp edges. The fork and diamond hoe are first on my list. A new pair of Woman’s Work leather gloves, which now come with a Velcro cinch to keep the dirt out. A Submatic drip system complete with an elf to help me install the system. Last of all I would like to have a nice steady rain every Tuesday night.

Keep Watering
It is as important to watch the water during these dry windy periods during the cold months as it is in the summer. Plants are becoming distressed with the lack of rain and they need water. Water does not need to be applied as often in the cooler months, but it should be applied as deeply. A lawn may need to be watered only every ten days now, but the quantity should be sufficient to give it a deep soaking. Trees also should be watered during this dry period with a slow, thorough soaking. Pay close attention to newly planted landscapes as they may need even more water. You can also apply and anti-transpirant such as Cloud Cover to slow down the evaporation of moistures from the plants - especially good in this windy weather.

Holiday Birthday Tree
Make a Holiday tree for the birds and wildlife in your backyard. This is a great activity for kids home from school for the holidays. Be sure to keep a list of the birds that visit your holiday tree. Make strings of popcorn, berries, dried fruit, peanuts and fruit pieces. Make ornaments by filling scraped out orange peels with peanut butter mixed with nuts, spread pinecones with peanut butter and roll in seeds or spread split bagels with peanut butter and press on birdseed. Hang ornaments with colorful ribbons.

Don’t Forget to Water
Enjoy the Holidays. Do not forget to water. I know we talked about this a couple of weeks ago, but it is worth mentioning again. While you are home enjoying your holiday meal, have the hose on a slow trickle and deep water your trees, they are really starting to get into trouble. Drought problems are not always visible right a way, but can cause problems for the trees in the future. Also keep an eye on shrubs and other landscape plants and make sure they are regularly watered.
Now is the time to prune your grapevines. If you are not sure how to do this, ask at the store or come to a pruning demonstration on Saturday January 3rd, at noon, here at the store. There is also good information on the web, including some at the Texas A&M site winegrapes.tamu.edu.

See our December To-Do List

See our December Articles: Reflections on Life and Organic Gardening

Jump to Growing Tips for these months...
January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December