December 2024
December in the Garden
We’ve set so many weather records or near records this year and November was no exception. The record we nearly broke a couple of days ago was the latest day ever for the first hard freeze of the season. That didn’t happen this year until the very last day of the month, November 30th. It was the second latest day ever for a first hard freeze (defined as 28 degrees Fahrenheit) and the latest in more than 100 years.
I find December to be the low point of the gardening year and it’s not particularly fun to be in the garden this month. The weather can be rainy or snowy or sunny and cold with a bitter wind. And let’s not forget, it is dark by 5:00. Some parts of my garden that get hours of sun in June and July are completely in shade the entire day during this month that features the shortest day of the year. On December 21st, the day length in Cincinnati is 9 hours, 25 minutes, and 11 seconds. On December 22nd, we gain three seconds of day length and begin marching towards June 20th, when we will have 14 hours, 55 minutes, and 8 seconds. I will look forward to that additional five and a half hours of daylight.
All of that said, December is a time when we can see the bones of our garden and appreciate the importance and beauty evergreens and ornamental grasses bring to our outdoor spaces. Now is a good time to evaluate where you might add some evergreens to make your garden more visually appealing during these more quiet months. I also like to decorate our urns, planters, and window boxes for Christmas, bringing some color to our garden in December.
December Garden Tasks
One of the most rewarding jobs during these short, cold days is to sharpen your garden tools. I’ve just put together a short video (see above) demonstrating how to sharpen your garden shears. You will be so happy to have sharp blades next Spring when it’s time to trim your boxwoods or cut down any perennials and grasses you left standing over the Winter.
Take care of your indoor houseplants. Many of us bring in favorite non-hardy plants before the first frost of the season. These plants have enjoyed long hours of daylight, humidity, and good air flow during the Summer vacation outdoors. Unfortunately, our indoor conditions offer them none of those benefits, so our plants can become stressed, which makes them more prone to pests and disease. It is important to keep an eye on these plants, so that any problems can be detected and dealt with before they become too serious. Be especially vigilant for aphids, scale, spider mites, and fungus gnats.
Removing snow and ice from shrubs and trees. If you get a light dusting of snow, just let it melt naturally. If you have a very heavy snow which weighs the branches down to the ground, gently remove the snow with a broom, so the branches do not snap. If you have ice accumulate on your branches, it is best to let it thaw naturally, as any attempt to crack off the ice will likely result in damage to the plant. Never use a hard implement like a shovel to remove snow or ice from a tree or bush. You will very likely injure the plant.
Plant some Amaryllis bulbs to enjoy big colorful blooms this Winter. You can buy these bulbs at garden centers or large hardware stores like Lowes. If you’re into no-maintenance gardening, you can even buy Amaryllis bulbs which have been encased in wax and require no watering. Just place them in a bright location and enjoy the big blossoms over the next couple of months. I will be creating a video in the next several months about how to get your Amaryllis bulbs to bloom again next year, saving you some money.
Feed the birds. Most of the seeds and berries on the trees and bushes are gone by December, so our local bird populations appreciate access to supplemental food sources. If you can provide food with high fat and proteins, all the better to keep the birds healthy during the lean Winter months. If you are worried that pigeons and starlings will take all the food, find an old log or branch with lots of holes and fissures. Sprinkle the bird seed into the holes and the small song birds will be able to extract the small seeds, while the larger birds cannot access them. It’s important if you start feeding the birds that you keep it up. Birds expend a lot of energy flying back to your feeders, which is wasted if they find arrive to find them empty. Try to also provide fresh water for our feathered friends, especially when many other sources may be frozen.
