North Florida Month-to-Month Gardening Guide December 2008  by Nancy George

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In the days leading up to Christmas look to the garden to see what can be used to make the house look festive.  Sweet smelling evergreen cuttings from pines, cedars and cypress; red berries from pyracanthas, holly, nandina; and seed pods and citrus.  Remember that lines are usually short, and parking is easy at garden centers where inexpensive gifts can be found.  As this year draws to a close, I  look forward with enthusiasm to every month of gardening next year.  I wish you a peaceful Christmas to enjoy family and friends.

Happy Holidays!

 

What to Buy / Plant

Camellias can provide marvelous color in  the winter landscape.  Sasanqua camellias bloom earlier than other camellias and can take more sun exposure.  Now is a good time to shop for and plant these attractive shrubs.  Consider buying a live Christmas tree and planting it in the landscape after the holidays; cedar, juniper, thuja, cypress and rosemary topiaries are all suitable choices.  Continue planting the cool season annuals and perennials, which include calendula, dusty miller, dianthus, delphiniums, iceland poppies, lobelia, nemesia, pansies, snapdragon, diacia, stock, baby's breath, and ornamental cabbage and kale.  There are many evergreen perennials that can be planted this time of year.  Artemesia, ajuga, stokesia, heuchera, and lambs ear are all good perennial choices.  Plant bare-root trees and shrubs ( see last month's article).

Poinsettias

The poinsettia thrives in moderately moist soil and indirect, natural light for at least six hours a day.  Water the plants thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry to the touch.  Water enough to completely saturate the soil.  Do not allow the poinsettia to sit in any standing water; root rot could result which could kill the plant.  To prolong the bright color of the poinsettia bracts, daytime temperatures should not exceed 70 degrees F.  Avoid placing the plants near drafts, excessive heat, or the dry air from appliances, fireplaces, or ventilating ducts.  It is not necessary to fertilize the poinsettia when it is in bloom.

Fertilizing

Annuals and perennials will benefit from a feeding with a liquid fertilizer this month.  As the soil and weather cool, plants have a more difficult time absorbing nitrogen from the soil.  By feeding the foliage, the plants will continue vigorous growth.

Edibles

Plant broccoli and cauliflower.  Set the plants deeper in the garden soil than they are in the container.  Water the plants during the transplanting process and during the first few days afterward.  Once established, both broccoli and cauliflower need a continuously moist soil.

Pests

A cleanup program will prove most helpful in decreasing your pest problems next spring. Insects and diseases tend to overwinter in plant debris. Snails and slugs love plant debris, as you know, they can decimate young plants almost overnight. An immaculate garden and strict vigilance are the best defense against these unsavory creatures. It is a good practice to replenish organic mulches that were applied earlier in the year. Use fresh mulch to create a layer 2 to 4 inches thick.

For Fun

Have a hard to shop for person? Make them a lasting gift. For the aspiring gourmet, you can quickly plant a container with several culinary herbs. For the special someone, make a bonsai. Select a well shaped juniper, remove the lower branches to bare the trunk, choose Asian style pottery and root prune to fit container. Cover soil with moss or pebbles.

This article originally published on December 3, 2008.

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