Gardening Tips for December – Jobs for the Winter Garden

Crops 

• -Garlic
• -Onions
• -Cauliflower 
  
• -Spinach
  
• -Beets
  
• -Radishes

Flowers

• -Pansies
• -Daises
• -Petunias
• -Verbena

Bird Feeding:

In the Winter, it becomes difficult for birds to find a food source. This month it is crucial that you keep your bird feeders stocked up. Seed mixes that include sunflower seeds, millet and cracked corn will attract a wide range of birds. Suet is also excellent during winter feeding.

Root Cellar Check:

If you have stored your fruits and vegetables from your summer harvests in a root cellar or somewhere similar, it is important to regularly check on them. If any produce is showing signs of disease or rot, remove it from storage and dispose of it in your compost heap. Spoil food can quickly spread, so a regular inspection will preserve the rest of your harvest.

Protect Perennials:

Repeated freezing and thawing can push plants out of the ground, exposing roots to damaging cold. Snow can act as a great insulator for perennials and roses in winter. When it snows, you can gently shovel snow onto your perennial beds for added insulation. This protection can lead to healthier plants come spring.

Seed Planning:

With there being fewer jobs to do outside in the garden, it’s the ideal time to plan for the next growing season. Begin by checking the seeds you currently have and checking their expiration date. Once you know what seeds you have, it’s time to order some new seeds! Don’t forget to pop these into a garden plan, factoring sun exposure, quality of soil and what grew in the space previously. 

Indoor gardening

Even though your outdoor garden is dormant, there is still an opportunity to bring some life inside with a small indoor garden. Herbs and leafy greens are some of the easiest plants to grow inside and can produce crops throughout the winter month. Provide these plants with light by placing them in a south-facing window or using grow lights.

Landscaping

Cool temperatures make the ideal conditions to plant larger items in your garden such as trees, shrubs, or roses. The mild weather conditions help these plants establish their root systems without the stress of extreme heat or cold. 

Cover Crops:

To protect the soil over winter, consider planting cover crops such as rye, oats, barley and millet. These crops will help prevent soil erosion, maintain soil health, and improve soil fertility for the next planting season. 

Frost Protection

Although frost can sweeten some root vegetables, for most plants frost can be detrimental. Be prepared to protect these plants from frost damage. This can be done with something as simple as household sheets, alternatively, you can buy frost protection sheets for plants. Lay this over your plants in the evening and remove them the following morning.

Composting

Autumn/Winter is the perfect time to start or tend to your own compost bin. Add all the dead but disease-free plants and fallen leaves to the compost bin, along with other healthy organic matter so you will have nutrient-rich soil to add to your growing space come spring. Treat with Compost Accelerator to speed up the composting process through the cold months.