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Holidays are a busy time of the year, but for those who love the garden, there’s still a lot to do in December.
Gather your autumn vegetable crops: It’s time to start harvesting vegetables from the plants sown in September and October. You can even add more vegetable crops before it gets too cold. They include artichokes, asparagus, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, peas, potatoes and radishes. Note: expect them to grow more slowly than spring planted vegetables.
Plant bare-rooted fruit trees: Now is the best time to plant bare-rooted fruit and nut trees such as apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums, and walnuts. Find the assortment at your local kindergarten. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for an hour before planting. Dig a hole large enough to hold the roots. Spread the roots out to stimulate growth. Water it thoroughly. Cover with a layer of mulch. Keep the tree moist for the first few weeks (regular rainfall is enough). Bare root trees are often cheaper than potted trees because they are delivered without a plastic container.
Pruning deciduous trees: Prune deciduous trees after leaving leaves. Don’t be afraid to prune the trees healthy, because they will have a nice bounce in spring.
Fill the bare spots on the lawn: Since winters in Southern California are mild, there is still time to plant bare spots on your lawn. If the rain is thin, you will need to water regularly.
Start your bedding pile: Rake the leaves and create a home mulch pile. Add leaves and grass clippings. Water the stack (if necessary). Turn around once a week. You will get the compost in the spring.
Remove dead flowers and branches: In winter, gardens can look a bit jagged. Stay fresh by cutting off any dead flowers, leaves and branches. Consider cutting down large trees, including pines and oaks if the limbs are weak or overgrown.
Recreate your Christmas tree: Find out in your city how and when to recycle the Christmas tree after Christmas. Remove all decorations and lights. Most recyclers accept flocked and non-flocked trees.
Extend the life of poinsettias: Keep your poinsettias in a cool place during the holidays, away from vents and fireplaces. When spring comes next year, cut off the shoots. In summer, put them outside in the shade, and in fall, bring them back home. To get the dark red leaves that poinsettias are famous for, they will have to spend half the day in complete darkness, starting in October. They will start blooming ready for the next Christmas in mid-November.
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Source by Bill Camarillo