The holidays are a busy time of year, but for those who love gardening, there is still plenty to do in December.
Harvest Your Fall Vegetable Crop: It’s time to start harvesting vegetables from plants planted in September and October. You can even add more vegetable plants before it gets too cold. They include artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, peas, potatoes, and radishes. Note: Expect them to grow slower than vegetables that are planted in spring.
Plant bare root fruit trees: Now is the best time to plant fruit trees and bare root nuts like apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums, and walnuts. You will find a variety at your local nursery. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for an hour before planting. Dig a hole large enough to contain the roots. Spread the roots to stimulate growth. Water thoroughly. Cover with a layer of mulch. Keep your tree moist for the first few weeks (regular rains will suffice). Bare root trees are usually less expensive than potted trees because they come without the plastic container.
Deciduous fruit tree plum: Deciduous plums once they have dropped their leaves. Don’t be afraid to give the tree a healthy cut, as it will bounce back very well in spring.
Fill in the empty spaces on your lawn: Since Southern California winters are mild, there is still time to plant the bare spots on your lawn. If the rain is scarce, you will need to water regularly.
Start a mulch pile: Rake the leaves and create a pile of homemade mulch. Add leaves and grass clippings. Water the pile (if necessary). Flip once a week. You will have compost for the spring.
Remove dead flowers and branches: Gardens can look a bit tattered in winter. Keep them fresh by cutting dead flowers, leaves, and branches. Consider cutting down large trees, including pines and oaks, if the branches look weak or have grown too large.
Recycle your Christmas tree: Check with your city on how and when to recycle your Christmas tree after the holidays. Remove all decorations and lights. Most recyclers will accept flocked and unblocked trees.
Extend the life of Poinsettias: During the holidays, keep poinsettias in a cool indoor location, away from vents and fireplaces. Once spring comes next year, cut back the stems. Place them outside in the shade during the summer and then bring them indoors in the fall. To get the deep red leaves that poinsettias are known for, they will need to spend half the day in total darkness starting in October. They will begin to bloom, ready for next Christmas, in mid-November.