All the Gardening Jobs You Should Do in December
It’s December and many of my gardening friends in the US have their yards filled with snow. In the Southwest, friends are just starting to get serious about growing vegetables this season, and here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s been cold but not a drop of moisture, which is a welcome break. Piles of leaves decorate the streets, waiting to be cleared, and everyone’s garden beds are already laid out.
Most gardeners use this time to rest and prepare for next year’s gardening. However, there are still a few things you can do outside right now while your land is still workable. You can still grow bulbs, and not just flower bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and onions, but also garlic and shallots. Even if you can’t find garlic at your garden center (it’s too late), grocery store garlic will work just fine.
Use the rain to your advantage
This time of year I try to remember to leave the carrot seeds scattered on the ground because the rain and snow will do the hard work of germinating them and when spring arrives you will have early sweet carrots. The same applies to onion seeds such as onions and daikon.
Get rid of slugs
Winter is when slugs and snails move into your garden beds. Be sure to keep an eye on this when applying Sluggo as rain will wash it away.
Cold stratification begins now
I recently wrote about the new cold stratification system and am excited to try it this year. Remember that many flower seeds and some vegetable seeds require a period of cool temperatures to germinate in the spring.
Keep sidewalks and driveways clear
As wet weather sets in, be it ice, snow or rain, keeping sidewalks and driveways clear becomes increasingly important. I can’t count the number of times I’ve almost been knocked over by slippery leaves. On dry days, go outside and clear paths.
Last chance to prune shrubs and fruit trees
I’ve been eyeing a cherry tree that needs a lot of pruning, and this week I cut down my 30 year old hydrangea. Both will come back stronger and promote flowering and fruiting. The time to prune is when the plants are dormant, so if you haven’t experienced a deep frost yet, get to work. Not just fruit trees – survey the area and check the trees for branches overhanging power lines or the street. This will become a risk during a storm.
Wrap up young shrubs and trees
If you have harsh winters, you may want to consider covering young bushes and trees by covering them with burlap or leaves for insulation. Your daycare center can help with supplies and specific instructions for your specific situation.
It’s time to sow
Believe it or not, the first seeds will appear in about eight weeks. Next year’s seed release appears to be earlier than usual. I haven’t received the paper catalogs yet, but by next year the larger seed houses have updated more websites. Be sure to receive your seed orders before the end of the year. If you’re not already actively planning for next year’s garden , you should start.