DEC/JAN TIPS

Ellis County Master GardenErs MONTHLY TIPS

BY MELINDA KOCIAN, ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION

DECEMBERtips for JANUARYtips for

• Plant berry-producing trees and shrubs to add winter color to your landscape. Choices include possumhaw and yaupon holly,

Carolina buckthorn, rusty blackhaw viburnum and American beautyberry.. • Plant pre-chilled tulip and hyacinth bulbs mid to late month.

Plant bulbs in masses for best effect. • Considering a living Christmas tree? Choose an adapted plant. Junipers, Arizona cypress and pyramidal hollies are good options. While indoors, place the tree in the brightest natural light and keep soil moist. Do not leave indoors for more than two weeks. • Remove mistletoe from trees as soon as it becomes visible. • Transplant small trees and shrubs while they are dormant. Water the plant well before digging it. • Plant cold-tolerant herbs such as chives, cilantro, garlic and parsley; onion transplants late month. • Seed for warm-weather annuals can be planted in flats in a temperaturecontrolled environment. Tomatoes and peppers can be started from seed mid-month. • Prune trees, including live oaks and red oaks, to remove dead, broken and unwanted branches. • Peach and plum trees should be pruned to stimulate lateral branches and keep their “bowl” shape. Thin out branches to open the center to allow more sunlight, resulting in fruit production over the entire tree. BEFORE BEFORE