Lawn Tips:

• There isn’t much to be done in the lawn during December, aren’t you glad? You can always keep any remaining leaves coming off trees that hold their leaves late off of the lawn, or mulch up these leaves if we happen to have good enough weather to do so.  

Early:

• It’s ok to do very light pruning for holiday greenery now if you must. Try to spread out greenery harvesting amongst many plants, and don’t prune out any more than you’ll actually need. Pruning now causes plants to be more susceptible to the cold, and opens wounds that won’t have a chance to start healing until the following spring.

• Seal the ends of those cut greenery branches with wax, and dip southern magnolia leaves into a container of floor wax to help keep them looking shiny & nice throughout the holidays.

• Provide those seasonal gift plants many will receive this time of year plenty of light once they are in the home. If it has a care tag, be sure to look up its light requirements. If you’re not sure what the plant is, contact TSHC and we’ll figure it out together.

• Did you receive an amaryllis bulb, or one already potted as a gift? Place it in front of a sunny window and keep it evenly moist. Never allow it to sit in water that collects in the drainage saucer below the pot.  Within 4-6 weeks you should have some amazing blooms.  
• Thanks to the abundant rainfall this fall our evergreen plants should be in less danger from winter desiccation. Normally, you’ll want to water evergreens deeply up until the ground freezes to the point that you cannot water anymore if it has been dry.

• Are your perennial plants well mulched? A good layer of mulch will help reduce frost heaving which can literally uproot small plants.

Middle:

• Brown edges on the leaves of houseplants might mean the humidity is too low inside the house.  A humidifier or placing the plants over a tray of pebbles with water in the tray can help increase humidity near plants.  

• Check your stored canna, gladiolus, dahlia, caladium, and elephant ear tubers for disease. Discard any that look bad (moldy).

• Planting a holiday tree?  Better be sure that hole is dug before the ground freezes solid.

Late:

• Avoid using salt on walkways and driveways around trees and shrubs. Many species of plants are extremely sensitive to salt in the soil, and are easily injured. 
• Keep an eye out for spider mites on houseplants.  You’ll notice fine webbing on leaves and stems.
• If you feed birds, be sure to keep it up throughout the winter. It is most important that feeders are full during severe winter storms. Seeds that are simply supplemental under normal conditions may suddenly become vital during one fierce ice storm or blizzard. A heated bird bath will provide a source for water in the winter as well, at a time when most all sources are frozen over.