No question about it, December is all about decorating, both within and without. But it's also the time to reflect upon the year's past achievements. Let's pause each day to enjoy the winter views from our windows, the silhouettes of trees, the colorful birds. And let's keep most of the work indoors:
Christmas Tree. To get the biggest bang for your Christmas tree buck, select early the freshest possible specimen, and treat it with an anti-desiccant -- such as WiltPruf -- in order to reduce moisture loss. Keep the tree well watered, too, and as cool as possible, by turning off nearby radiators.
Evergreen Decorations. Spray with anti-desiccant all of your evergreen wreaths, garlands, and mantel swags. This will keep them fresh-looking for the entire month.
Holly, Boxwood, Yew. Prune older shrubs freely for decoration; drastic side pruning results in thicker central growth later.
Cold Protection. After the first hard freeze (not just a touch of frost), mulch perennials that require it. The goal is to keep them cold and unstimulated by ocassional midwinter warmth.
Window Garden. Make your window garden a dominant portrait. First polish the glass and wash the shelves and give the plants a good showering before you get too holiday-crazed. Then place candles there for evening burning. To you and all who pass, your window will give great joy.
Florist's Plants. The florist has a bevy of beautiful blooming subjects this month. Add a few seasonal plants to enhance your own colorful houseplant scheme...a pink poinsettia with your white wax begonias, or a red one for your rosy impatiens, a pink kalanchoe to compliment your purple African violets or a Christmas Cherry among the green ferns or vines. As with all florist's plants, remove foil wrappings immmediately -- they are death traps.
Bulbs in Cold Storage. Don't forget the potted bulbs or the vased hyacinths in your refrigerator, cold cellar, or slightly-heated garage. These must not be allowed to dry out if you wish to enjoy -- as I do -- a private, indoor spring that begins on New Year's Day.
A Random Thought. Don't forget to polish the silver...nothing beats the gleam of silver serving-pieces and candlesticks during the holidays.
Another Random Thought. If you have propagated your houseplants -- African violets, scented geraniums, vines, etc., why not give your extras away as host or hostess gifts, or Christmas presents? Plant in an attractive pot, and include a hand-written tag that describes the plant, its uses, and culture. Attach tag to plant with a colorful ribbon.
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Related Posts:
How to Design a Window Garden
Evergreens for Privacy Screens
Overwintering Tender Herbs & Annuals
Blossoming Bulbs for Winter Windows
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
What To Do In December
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WiltPruf...what a fascinating idea!!!
Kevin, your Victorian house must be fun to decorate for the holidays! Do you have your tree up yet? Do we get to see it?
Thanks for the reminder about the bulbs! I have tulips in the basement, which I haven't checked in weeks. Sure enough, they were getting dry. But they have started to sprout! Yeah!!!
Kevin, do peonies need winter protection?
Emily - I have great fun decorating this house for the holidays, and I'll be glad to show you my efforts. As for the tree, it is up!
Justin - so glad you watered your forcing-projects before dryness spelled doom!
Donna - In general, peonies, after their first year in the ground, do not need winter protection. But their foliage should be removed when it dies back in the fall.
My December to-do list: paint the shed (weather permitting); and clean out the garage (regardless of weather).
I'm hoping to get more bird feeders bought and hung this month. I love watching my feathered friends in winter!
Would you believe I'm still raking leaves this month???
Erika - don't feel bad. Our lawn service didn't show up until YESTERDAY to collect the leaves! But they shredded them, too. I use all of my leaves to refill the raised vegetable beds, and to mulch the roses bushes.
Another question: is it ok to move hostas now?
For Emily: I can't speak for Kevin, but I think you should wait until spring to transplant your hostas.
Emily - John is right. Best to wait until spring. Hostas can not establish themselves when freezing weather is imminent.