Take December away from gardening, or not

Gardening isn’t necessarily high on your December to-do list, but if gardening is your passion, there’s still plenty to keep you busy.

Mulch leaves and branches: Fallen leaves and branches are beneficial. Cover a pile of the material with a waterproof tarp to keep warm and prevent the rain from washing away the nutrients. Rotate the material regularly. Place some of the fallen leaves in flower beds to prevent mud from splashing small plants during rain.

Protect Potted Plants: Move potted plants along south or west facing walls. They will absorb reflected daytime heat and remain protected from most of the wind. Move potted cacti and succulents under the patio cover so they are protected from cold and rain.

Moisten soil and groundcover to prevent frost damage: If you hear a frost warning in your area, water your garden soil well before night. Without clouds, at night is when frost is most likely to occur. The moisture in the soil will evaporate and warm the air around your plants preventing roots and plants from freezing. Mulch will also keep the soil and roots warmer than air temperature.

Keep weeds in check: It’s amazing how quickly weeds appear after a rain shower. They are easier to remove when they are small and the soil is wet. Once removed, add a layer of mulch to suppress any new growth.

Planting bare root trees, shrubs and roses – Make sure the roots of the tree are moist before planting. Dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball and deep enough that it can stand on its own. Cover with loose soil. Create a small ridge of soil around the log so that the water does not run off. Add mulch (without touching the trunk) to keep the roots warm through the winter. Slowly water the tree after planting so the water penetrates deep into the root system. Continue to water deeply and regularly until spring (even after light rains).

Harvest and plant cool season vegetables: Vegetable plants added in October should be producing in December. You can still plant cool-season vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, kale, mustard, and lettuce. Beets, carrots, and radishes can also be planted in December.

Add California Natives – Plant native vegetation now so they will become established in the spring. Your local nursery should have the varieties that are well suited to your area. According to the California Native Plant Society, there are more than 7,000 native plants in California. Go to their site to see which plants are native to your specific region, https://calscape.org.