Garden Calendar

GARDEN CALENDAR December list of what to do in the garden.

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS • Store unused seeds in a cool, dry location or refrigerator. • Check vegetables and fruit in storage for spoilage. • Mulch strawberries for winter protection. • Clean and oil garden hand tools for winter. • Till soil and add organic matter. • Soil test now to be beat the spring rush. • Store unused garden chemicals in a dry, safe location protected from freezing. • Update garden journal of the season’s success and failure. • Start planning for next spring on cold winter nights.

FLOWERS • Mulch grafted roses by mounding soil 6 to 8 inches deep to protect the graft. • Cut tall hybrid tea roses back to 24 inches to reduce wind whipping and plant damage. • Mulch tender perennials prone to frost heaving with 2 to 4 inches of shredded leaves. • • • • • • • Continue to plant spring flowering bulbs until the ground is frozen. • Give plants or gift certificates as holiday gifts for gardening friends. • Empty decorative pots and containers, storing inside.

LAWN • Remove leaves, limbs, and other debris from lawn to prevent suffocation. • Store unused fertilizers in dry location and out of reach of children and pets. • Store pesticides in a cool (not freezing) dry location, out of reach of children and pets. • Review lawn service contracts. • Water fall planted grass as needed. • Avoid extensive walking on frozen grass.

TREES AND SHRUBS • Lightly shake heavy snowfall from limbs to avoid damage. • Avoid shoveling snow onto trees and shrubs. • Check and protect the trunks of young trees

MY GARDEN (Use this space to list additional tasks to accomplish in your garden.) and shrubs for rabbit damage. • Leave living Christmas trees in the home less than one week, then acclimate to the outdoors and plant in a desirable location. • Prune damaged branches throughout the winter months. • Water newly planted trees and shrubs in winter to prevent dry soil conditions. • Mulch roots of tender shrubs such as azaleas and rhododendrons. • Prune branches of junipers, pines, hollies and other plants for holiday decorations.

MISCELLANEOUS • Start planning for next year by making notes and preparing orders. • Turn compost pile to encourage winter breakdown. • Make your Christmas list adding gardening supplies. • Keep houseplants out of hot and cold drafts. • Winter is a great time to soil test. • Use ice melts sparingly to reduce damage to nearby lawns, shrubs and concrete.

Johnson County K-State Research and Extension recommends environmentally-friendly gardening practices. This starts by identifying and monitoring problems. Cultural practices and controls are the best approach for a healthy garden. If needed, use physical, biological or chemical controls. Always consider the least toxic approach first. Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.