December Garden Planner
What to plant…
Weeks Roses
Paper pot roses are inbound this month. Our shipment from Weeks Roses will be arriving the week before Christmas, just in time for gift giving. These dormant roses can be planted paper pots and all, as they are biodegradable, making the process very easy. Check out our rose list to see which roses are available this season.
Fall flowering bulbs
If you have any fall flowering bulbs left, now is the time to plant them. Bulbs do great in containers. Top them off with pansies or violas to have a colorful display year round. Check out this planting guide if you are uncertain how to go about planting bulbs.
Container gardens
When it’s too cold outside to dig in the soil, consider making a container garden. Potting up containers takes little time or effort and can add a lot of color to an otherwise dormant garden. Think of plants like Boxwood, Camellias and Coral bells. All of these do well in winter. If you’re going for a more seasonal look, try adding Holly or Cyclamen. If you’d rather keep your pot indoors then consider Poinsettias or Phalaenopsis.
Installing sod
Although it’s too late to start a lawn from seed, now is a great time to install sod. We offer different varieties through our partner Delta Bluegrass. 100% Bolero Dwarf Tall Fescue, is a drought and heat tolerant variety with excellent disease and insect resistance.
90/10, on the other hand, is a combination of 90% Tall Fescue Blend and 10% Kentucky Blue Grass. This variety stands up better to high traffic areas, as well as being very drought tolerant. The minimum sod order in December is 200 square feet.
Fertilize
Cymbidium Orchids
Feeding Cymbidium Orchids now will promote blooms in the coming year. We recommend GrowMore Orchid Bloom Formula (6-30-30). After feeding, Cymbidiums can be placed outdoors in a protected spot to set buds. Use a frost cloth to protect them on winter nights when the temperatures reach below freezing. Once half the flowers have started to open you can bring them back inside.
Cool season bloomers
Pansies, Primroses and other cool season flowers will thrive and bloom profusely with foliar applications of Maxsea 16-16-16 every two weeks. It is fast acting for quick results.
Pruning
Many plants benefit from a good pruning in winter. We recommend you use a sharp pair of shears to do this. If you need a new pair we recommend Felco Pruning Shears. These are long recognized as the best shears on the market.
Winter garden clean-up includes pruning of most deciduous trees and shrubs. Early spring-blooming ornamental shrubs, like lilacs, are an exception. Feel free to stop by and ask more advice on pruning from one of our nursery staff.
Pruning evergreens and conifers now will help shape them. As an added benefit you can bring the often fragrant clippings indoors for holiday decorations.
Resist pruning any frost damage until the last frost is past (usually around mid to late March). The damaged portion of the plant will act as insulation and help protect the rest of the plant from further damage.
Prevention is better than remediation
Even in sunny California, night temperatures can reach below 32°F, which can be harmful for your plants. Consider getting a frost cover for your Citrus, Hibiscus, Bougainvillea and other frost-tender plants. Another precaution is deep watering your plants before a frosty night. Dry plants will be more easily damaged.
In gardening, prevention is often better than remediation. Here’s a list of products that can help you prevent some common garden issues:
Use dormant sprays like Monterey Garden Liqui-Cop to control fungal problems (think of peach leaf curl and powdery mildew).
Over-wintering pests, including mites, aphids and scale can be treated with Monterey Horticultural Oil Spray. This will smother the insects overwintering in the bark of your trees and shrubs. Always spray on a day when rain is not expected for 48 hours. If it does rain you will have to reapply.
Moss and algae on your lawn and walkways can be treated in a multitude of ways. Eliminate excessive watering, thin shade trees to let in more light, correct poor drainage or use Bayer 2-in-1 Moss & Algae Killer.
Prevent petal blight from attacking Camellia blossoms by cleaning up any fallen flowers from underneath the plant before they start to bloom. Spread a 2” to 3” layer of clean mulch under them to keep old spores from splashing back on to the plants. Serious infections can also be treated with Immunox.
Snails and slugs like cool moist weather and will help themselves to your veggie bedding if not treated. Use Sluggo to bait or hand pick these pests.
Happy Holiday plants
Be sure to check regularly on your fresh cut Christmas trees and provide them with fresh water before the bucket is empty. Add Keeps-It-Green Tree Preservative to your water to extend the life of your cut tree and slow the loss of needles.
Fresh wreaths and garlands will need misting every two to three days to prevent them from drying out.
Try not to overwater your Poinsettias. Poinsettias prefer to be watered frequently with small amounts of water. A 4” to 6” container may need a glass of water every 3 days. Smaller plants will need smaller amounts of water (half a glass) but will need to be watered every day or every other day. Vice versa with larger plants. When in doubt, it’s best to water less. For more information on how to keep your Poinsettias healthy year round, check out our Poinsettia Care Guide.
