This is a good time to add mulch to your flower beds to protect from erosion, nutrient loss, and freeze and thaw disturbance — but avoid piling up mulch directly up against plant stems and tree trunks. While you’re outside, rake up and remove heavy layers of leaves, so they don’t smother the lawn, and if possible, compost them.
December is upon us, and there are still some gardening chores that can be done in between holiday decorating, visiting and hosting.
You can pick and choose any job based on how much time you have and the weather.
Remember, some of the things you do now will help keep your outdoor garden healthy and help you set up for a strong start to spring.
If you have not done so in a few years, get a soil test of all your garden beds.
Get a Zip-lock sandwich bag full of soil from each garden bed, make where you took the sample from, and take it to a local University of Maryland Extension service office.
For a small fee they will send the sample away for testing.
They can also help you understand the results and the suggested course of action to correct any problems.
Soil tests help give recommendations for fertilization and adjusting the pH.
Soil tests also help reduce over-fertilizing, which helps keep nutrients out of the groundwater, surface water, the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Add organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to garden beds to improve soil structure over the winter.
Finally, add mulch to your flower beds to protect from erosion, nutrient loss, and freeze and thaw disturbance.
Avoid piling up mulch directly up against plant stems and tree trunks.
A few job suggestions for the lawn include, keeping the fallen leaves mowed (if only a few), so they can decompose into the lawn.
Rake up and remove heavy layers of leaves, so they don’t smother the lawn, and if possible, compost them.
Check the pH of the lawn and if it is low, apply lime if the ground is not frozen. This will help prepare the grass for the spring growing season, and remember in Maryland you cannot apply fertilizer to your lawn between Nov. 16 and March 1.
Finally, use safe de-icing alternatives to salt to avoid chemical damage to nearby plants, turf , concrete and pavers.
Finally, consider using Wilt-pruf spray to protect evergreen plants from winter and wind damage and drought.
It forms a protective, flexible film on the leaves and needles of plants.
It seals in moisture and works very well on cut evergreens, and plants like magnolia, azalea, rhododendron, camellias and roses.
One of the biggest parts of the holiday season is the family trip to select and bring home a freshly cut Christmas tree. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, when a Christmas tree is cut, more than half of its weight is water.
With proper care, you can maintain the quality of the tree.
Here are some valuable information tips and recommendations:
• Fir trees are the best for a Christmas tree indoors, as they absorb more water freely. Balsam Fir, Frazier Fir, Noble Fir and Douglass Fir will work.
• To be sure a tree is fresh, grab hold of a branch and close your hand and gently pull back. If you have a hand full of needles the tree is dead. You can also try to break off a small branch with your fingers, if it snaps it is dead. If it doesn’t snap off, cut off a small piece and see if it is green or white, which means it is still alive and a good tree for buying.
• To display the tree indoors, use a tree stand with an adequate water holding capacity. As a rule of thumb, a tree stand should provide one quart of water per inch of trunk’s diameter.
• Use a stand that fits the tree. Avoid whittling the trunk to fit into a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.
• Make a fresh cut, about a half-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk. Make the cut as flat as possible and don’t cut it on an angle or a V-shape. You want the whole trunk in the stand as far as possible for stability and water uptake.
• Water temperature is not important and does not affect the water uptake. It is recommended to use a preservative such as Prolong, to help keep the tree fresh and helps the tree to absorb water more freely. Prolong it not harmful to children or pets.
• Check the tree for water daily and keep it full, do not allow the tree to dry out as the tree will heal over and stop drinking. If this happens you have to make a fresh cut so the tree can drink. You will be surprised on how much water the tree drinks, which means it is fresh.
• Use lights that produce low or no heat, preferable LED miniature light sets. Always inspect them prior to installation and if they are worn replace with new ones. Do not overload electrical circuits and always turn off lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.
• One final tip, keep your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, wood stoves, heating vents and both cold and hot drafts, as these will dry out your tree.
Following these few tips will insure you will keep your tree fresh and safe for the holiday season.
Take some time to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
(Editor’s note: Ken Morgan is the owner of Robin’s Nest Floral and Garden Center in Easton, Md.)
