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Editor’s Choice: Recommended gardening books for Central Texas |
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[January] [February] [March] [April] [May] [June] [July] [August] [September] [October] [November] [December] |
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The Travis County Master Gardener Association has a new home! Click to visit our new site. http://www.tcmastergardener.org. Please update your bookmarks. Thanks. |
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Things to Plant in December Flower Plants: Alyssum, Butterfly Weed, Calendula, Candytuft, Cornflower, Dianthus, Daisy (African, Michaelmas and Painted), Liatris, Nasturtium, Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Phlox paniculata, Snapdragon, Stock. FLOWER SEEDS: Bluebonnet, Calendula, Candytuft, Cornflower, Feverfew, Gaillardia, Gayfeather, Larkspur, Nasturtium, Poppy, Sweet Pea. BULBS: Agapanthus, Allium, Alstroemeria, Amarcrinum, Amaryllis (in container), Crinum, Hyacinth, Liriope, Monkey Grass, Muscari, Star of Bethlehem (Orthinogalum), Rain Lily, Society Garlic, Spraxis, Aztec Lily (Sprekelia), Watsonia. VEGETABLES: FRUIT: Bare root or container-grown pecans, fruit trees, grapes and berry bushes. Things to Do in December Fertilize: Fertilize bulbs with bone meal in the planting hole. Feed winter bloomers such as alyssum, dianthus and especially pansies every 4-6 weeks. WATER: Water everything well before a freeze to protect against cold injury, but avoid overwatering. TRANSPLANT: Transplant bare root and container grown roses, shrubs, trees, groundcovers and vines so they get established before warm weather arrives next summer. PREPARE SOIL: Prepare dormant beds for spring planting: clean out dead and spent plants, compost to enrich the organic content of the soil. Send in soil samples (forms available at the Extension Office). Check winter mulch and replenish if needed. Stockpile leaves for mulching and composting throughout spring and summer. LAWN CARE: Run mower and trimmer engines dry of gasoline, drain and change oil. Take them to the repair shop now to avoid the spring rush. Clean and oil ALL tools before storing for winter. DISEASES/PESTS TO LOOK FOR: Watch for scale, mealy bugs and spider mites on houseplants. Root rot fungus thrives on over-watered houseplants. Other Things to Do in December Time to get the garden ready for the new growing season. Clean, repair and replace garden tools. Create a garden plan to help organize your chores and planting schedules. Recycle your Christmas tree. Contact the Extension Service Office (512-473-9600) for more information on Christmas tree recycling. As an alternative to the traditional Christmas tree, try a container tree or shrub (conically shaped) to be planted in your landscape later. Order spring vegetable seeds now. Remember the gardeners you know with gifts of books (Perhaps a copy of the Garden Guide for Austin & Vicinity. Click here to Order. tools, apparel or even yard art. Christmas Tree Care Pick the freshest possible tree, with a minimum amount of needle drop. Cut 1 to 2 inches off the bottom of the trunk and soak in a bucket of cool water until ready to put in tree stand. Check water level daily. Or use a living Christmas tree that can be planted in the landscape. Afghan pine is great for this use. Inspect all electrical equipment such as lights before placing on the Christmas tree and outside. Have a safe and Merry Holiday Season. |
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Web site designed/maintained by Dolores Svoboda Leeper, DoloArt Designs. Copyright 2002. All rights reserved. |