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FOREVER FESTIVE
LET THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS MEMORIES GROW BY FAITH LEWIS YOUR DECEMBER GARDENING TO DO’S Plant cyclamen and camellias for some late-season color Check stored bulbs, corms, and tubers to ensure they’re not rotting or drying out Fertilize winter-flowering shrubs (such as Vine Hill Manzanita)
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very year 120 million Christmas trees are cut down during the holiday season, with some 40 million of those finding their way into U.S. homes. This year, consider helping those trees find their way back out after the holidays. There are a growing number of people who opt to buy a potted tree to plant after the holidays. Not only does this spruce up your garden, but it also means your tree can keep working hard to keep our air clean and provide a necessary habitat for birds and other critters. But what do you need to know before you get your forever tree? Luckily, California winters are mild enough that conifers shouldn’t have any
issues weathering the winter (another perk is that you don’t need to wait for spring to plant your tree after the holidays). However, you should double check how large the tree is expected to grow, what type of soil it needs to thrive, and if it prefers partial shade (like the shady side of a house) or full sun. Once your living tree has made it home, leave it outside as long as possible. Having the tree inside the warm house for more than a week can cause it to break its winter dormancy, leading to damage when it’s moved back outside. If you keep it well watered and take care not to break any branches when decorating, your tree can be the gift that keeps giving year after year.
Check for snails riding out the wet weather on your plants Plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips and hyacinth, as well as bare-root trees, shrubs, and roses Cut back dormant grapevines. Bonus: these make great wreaths! In the vegetable garden, plant artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, potatoes, and radishes
During the composting process, microorganisms break down organic material, leaving you with a nutrient-rich soil for gardening. In order to have a successful compost you will need to ensure microorganisms have plenty of air and CHRISTMAS water by mixing the compost every other day and keeping it moist (but not soaking wet). COMPOSTING You can absolutely start a compost pile during the winter–and a surprising amount of holiday waste is compostable. Think of composting uncooked potato peels, carrot tops, and other fruit and veggie scraps from holiday meals, as well as plastic-free wrapping paper and greeting cards. If you haven’t opted to plant your tree this year, even that can be added to the mix (consider running it through a woodchipper so it breaks down faster). To get your compost started, find a spot out of the wind and in the shade, both of which will keep it from drying out too quickly. Start with a layer of twigs to allow for better drainage. Top with leaves and then alternate between greens (nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings, veggie and fruit scraps, coffee grounds, etc.) and browns (carbon-rich materials like dead leaves, straw, sawdust, newspaper, etc.). Be sure to include enough soil – this is where you’ll find those necessary microorganisms.
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DECEMBER 2021 | SJMAG.COM
