Gardening Checklist for December and January

Here are a few things you might consider during these cool days of late fall and early winter:

• Select your Christmas tree early, cut off about an inch of the trunk and stand the tree in a bucket of water in a cool, shady area until ready to decorate. You may want to apply an antitranspirant spray such as Wilt-Pruf or Cloud Cover to make your tree last even longer.
• In mid-December, plant tulip bulbs that have been chilling in the refrigerator.
• Apply dormant oil spray to control scale and other hard to control over-wintering insect pests. Follow label instructions to avoid damage to plants.
• Keep the water hose handy or turn on the sprinklers occasionally. Soil can dry out, even when temperatures are cold. Trees and shrubbery are nearly dormant now, however, their roots are still quite active, and it may be necessary to do occasional watering in the absence of rain.
• Plants growing in containers are especially vulnerable to freezes. Plants that normally would be hardy when growing in the ground may freeze badly when their roots and soil balls are exposed to freezing weather.
• Remember, wet clay pots may crack if they freeze.
• Rake fallen leaves or go over them with a mulching lawn mower. Do not allow them to accumulate and smother the lawn grass. Either put your leaves in your compost pile or use them to mulch your planting beds. Mulching will keep the soil from changing temperature rapidly, as well as help to retain moisture and protect shallow roots.
• Clean up and sharpen your tools. Apply a thin coating of oil to protect against rust. Your tools will then be ready to go come springtime. 
• Start planning your spring garden. Try something new next year. Your local retailers and gardening catalogs give you lots of choices. 

That will do it for this month (and this year). Have a great holiday season! (Editor)