See something you like? Check it out further at the merchants below.
You'll be glad you did!

Sincerely,

the "Hillbilly Gardener"

• Consider purchasing a live Christmas tree this year that can be planted after Christmas to enhance your landscape.

• If you haven't already done so, get those garden tools cleaned and oiled so they are ready for next season.

• Don't forget those power tools! Lawn mowers, blowers, etc need to have the oil changed in them and either run the gas out of them or add fuel stabilizer to them for the winter. Don't forget to clean them thoroughly so they will be ready for next year. It won't hurt to go ahead and put in a fresh spark plug now and don't forget to clean or replace the air filter.

• Now is a great time to plant new nursery stock such as trees and shrubs. Don't forget to mulch them heavily for winter and keep them watered.

• You can still plant spring-flowering bulbs if the ground is not frozen.

• Keep those bird feeders full and don't forget to keep out fresh water. Consider a heated bird bath.

• It may be cold outside, but your outdoor plants still need to be kept watered in mild weather if it doesn't rain. Lack of proper water can be fatal this time of year.

• Provide additional mulch to tender outside plants if the temperature takes a nose dive.

• Provide protection to plants like Azaleas, Rhododendron, Camellias and Daphne by driving stakes around the plants and covering with burlap, old sheets, etc. Do not let it come in contact with the plant and remove when the weather is warm. Mulch the roots well.

• If you potted fall bulbs, keep them moist and watch for pots filled with rots or starting to sprout. These are ready to bring in to a cool location.

• If you have been keeping your Poinsettia and Christmas Cactus in periods of darkness (14 hours) since September, it is time to bring them out to bright light and warmer temperatures (65-70 degrees during the day and 55-60 at night) the beginning of December. Keep them away from drafts and water when they start to dry.

• Group your houseplants together for additional humidity or place on pebble trays filled with water.

• Keep the foliage of houseplants free of dust and dirt so they can properly breath by either wiping them off or placing in a lukewarm shower, then allow to dry.

• Keep houseplants moved back away from windows on cold nights.

• Take "new growth" cuttings of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Evergreens to root. Keep in bright light and about 65-70 degrees F.

• Keep any over wintering Geraniums in bright light and cool (60-65 degrees F) temperatures and on the dry side until warm weather next spring.

• If you buy new houseplants, make sure they are well protected from the winter air until you get them home.

• Water your houseplants only with tepid or room temperature water. Cold water can shock them.

• Never allow houseplants to sit in foil wrappers or decorative pots without drainage. Either punch some holes in the container or remove the pot to water.

• Keep those seed heads and flowers you saved for winter decorating from shattering by spraying a coating of hair spray on them.

• Reduce the problem of rabbits chewing the bark off your fruit trees by feeding them corn or alfalfa hay during the winter months.

• Seed catalogs start coming this month. Start planning next years garden by reviewing your garden journal from last year.

• Take time to reflect on the reason for the season and remember those less fortunate than yourself.

• If you go to a Christmas party this season, please drink responsibly and either appoint a "designated driver" or take a cab.

• Take time to enjoy this Christmas season for the joy and wonder that it is and bring a little joy into someone else's holiday season by wishing them a hearty "Merry Christmas".

• Spread crabgrass pre-emergent in southerly areas the end of January and in February for most. Northerly areas and Canada can wait until early March.

• Make your garden plans now and write down on paper so you will know where everything goes later.

• Order seeds of flowers and vegetables for spring planting. Don't forget those supplies and tools you know you want and need this year.

• Start many of the seeds now that require long starting times. Base your start times off of the last frost date for your area.

• Cut branches of Forsythia for forcing indoors to brighten a cold winter day. Cut on a 45 degree angle and plunge immediately into lukewarm water. Place in a bright location inside and you'll be enjoying cheerful golden blooms in just a few weeks. Let them remain in water after they bloom. many will root for transplanting later.

• Remove dead, malformed and crossing limbs from your shrubs and fruit trees now. Do not prune live wood otherwise from spring-blooming shrubs. These bloom on the wood you will be removing.

• Continue feeding the birds and keep those waterer's filled with clean water. This is a critical time for the birds.

• Clean out nest boxes and disinfect with a 10% bleach solution now before the early arrivers start returning in Late February and March.

• When weather is warm do yard clean-up chores now so that you are not trying to do it when the garden chores start later.

• Take soil samples and get tested early. Lime if necessary in January so the lime has a chance to break down before  planting begins.

• Clean up those perennial beds. Remove any dead vegetation and pull back or remove the mulch so that the soil can warm. Put this on the compost pile unless disease is present.

• Dig and divide clumps of overgrown plants like daylilies, hosta, rudbeckia, eupatorium just before new growth begins. Incorporate fresh compost before planting.

• Give your compost pile a turn and wet it down if not already. Start a compost pile now if you don't have one.

• Dig any beds that are dry enough and incorporate fresh compost.

• Remove thatch and aerate the lawn and put down a good early season fertilizer now. Early or spot seeding should also be done now and watered well. Mulch if possible.

• Feed your perennials and trees now to get them off to a good start.

• If you did not do so last fall, get outdoor power equipment serviced and ready to go now.

• Start checking the soil with a thermometer. When it reaches 55° F (13° C) Early crops like lettuce, peas and early greens can be planted. Hold off planting brassica's, carrots, beets, onions and the like until the soil nears 60° F (15° C) and do not plant potatoes until the soil has warmed to near 65° F (18° C) or the sets will rot.

• Continue to feed the birds for a few more weeks. Late storms will make finding food difficult and insects are not yet active.

• Start keeping an eye on the weather for the possibility of dangerous storms, hard freezes, etc. Cover any newly emerging plants if possible to protect them from freezing and hail.

• Keep a sharp eye open for returning Purple Martins and get the houses up or open at the first sign of the returning birds.