Something for every gardener in December

The month of December ushers in a state of dormancy for many landscape trees and shrubs.

What is good for plants is oftentimes good for the gardener. December also can be a quasi-dormant state for gardeners.

Therefore, I will avoid most high-energy consumption chores.

There should be something for every gardener to do and even enjoy among the following activities:

Citrus Show

Whether you are an enthusiastic citrus grower or just interested in viewing a remarkable array of locally grown citrus fruit, plan to attend this year’s Upper Gulf Coast Citrus Show on Dec. 9 at the Wayne Johnson Community Center, located in Carbide Park, 4102 FM 519, in La Marque.

Citrus grown by local gardeners will be on display for the general public from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

An educational program will be conducted at 7 p.m. A PowerPoint presentation titled “Citrus Tree Care Recommendations” will be provided by Monte Nesbitt, Texas A&M Extension Associate in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at College Station.

A second PowerPoint presentation titled “Update on Citrus Greening & Sweet Orange Scab Diseases” will be provided by Sheila McBride, Texas A&M Extension Program Specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at College Station. The Citrus Show is open to the general public.

For information on the Citrus Show or on how to enter your homegrown citrus in the show, contact the Galveston County Extension Office, 281-534-3413, Ext. 1-2, or visit my website provided at the end of this column.

Cold Protection For Plants

Nighttime temperatures briefly dipped into the 30s last week.

Even though our winters are typically mild, gardeners should be prepared to provide protection to cold-sensitive plants when needed.

Poinsettias

Christmas poinsettias are widely available now.

Each year, people express concern about the poisonous nature of these beautiful plants.

Plant scientists at Ohio State University have proven through extensive testing they are not poisonous.

However, poinsettias might cause moderate to severe gastrointestinal disturbances when ingested in sufficient quantity.

Always be sure to keep poinsettias well out of reach of inquisitive toddlers.

There always is the possibility that some individuals may be especially sensitive to certain plants, including poinsettias.

Transplant Trees And Shrubs

December through February is an excellent time to transplant trees and shrubs.

Transplanting during the winter season allows the root system of transplants to become better established before spring growth and summer heat.

This significantly reduces plant stress during the following summer.

Pruning

Don’t be in a hurry to prune woody plants.

Very late December through early February is usually the best time to perform most winter pruning.

Care Of Christmas Trees

Keep the water reservoir in your Christmas tree stand filled with water at all times.

A Christmas tree requires lots of water, especially when the home heating system is in operation.

The tree will take up a larger quantity of water at first (as much as a gallon or more a day), but water uptake will slack off later.

Tests show a 6-foot Christmas tree will take up between 1 and 2 pints of water per day, on average, during a three-week season.

Control Of Cool-season Weeds

Yes, weeds do continue to grow during the winter season.

Do not let these unwanted bullies take over your flower beds.

A 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch will prevent most cool season weed seeds from sprouting.

It is more effective to keep weeds under control with regular efforts than to try to correct a situation that has gotten out of control because inattention.

Holiday Gifts For The Gardener

If you are stumped for ideas on holiday gifts, don’t overlook the many gardening items that could please any member of the family.

Power garden tools, hand tools for kids, special plants, nursery gift certificates, bird feeders, garden statuary, and books are just a few items gardening friends would appreciate.

Plant Bulbs

Although Christmas is foremost on our minds right now, don’t forget those tulip bulbs in the refrigerator as well as other types of bulbs requiring a chill treatment before planting (won’t it be great to be able to reclaim that refrigerator space).

They should be planted in late December or by the first week in January after they have received 45 to 60 days of chilling.

Tulip bulbs must be planted immediately upon removal from cold storage. Experimental evidence indicates exposing bulbs to 10 to 14 days of room temperature (72 degrees Fahrenheit.) after removal from cold storage erases the benefits of cold storage.

Dr. William Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County Office of Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M System. Visit his Web site at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.