December

December is a busy time with holidays and that leaves precious little time for gardening. December is a turbulent month weather-wise in north Alabama. Winter has not really arrived yet, but you can count on plenty of gray and dreary days. This is usually a wet month and with temperatures swinging back and forth constantly, it can also be stormy. Typically, temperatures hover in the 50's during the day.

Snow in December is rare (the photo above was actually taken in early January of 2001) but a white Christmas is not unheard of. The ground is still soft and this is usually the latest time for doing many gardening chores before the cold temperatures of January and February.

Plants of Interest

camellia sasanqua "Yuletide"
clematis "jackmanii"
ornamental grasses
pansy
pyracantha
hollies
nandina
evergreens

 

What to Plant

tulips - This is the optimal time to plant tulips. Mail order companies are usually an excellent source but if you are purchasing bulbs locally, gently squeeze them to make sure they are hard and firm. If you ordered your bulbs from mail order, store them in your refrigerator vegetable bin for 5-8 weeks before planting (but make sure they are not stored with fruits). Some good varieties for the South are "Maureen", "Red Riding Hood", "Apeldoorn", "Queen of Sheba", "White Truimpodor", "Queen of the Night", "Pink Diamond", "Pink Impression", "Apricot Beauty", "Mrs. John T. Scheepers", "Mount Tacoma" and "Angelique". For best results, plant tulips in a cool location which gets some morning sun and quite a bit of afternoon shade. This will prolong bloom and keep the colors vibrant.
shrubs & trees - December can sometimes be a wet month but it is an excellent time to plants shrubs and especially trees. This is also a good time to plant evergreen trees and shrubs .

Chores

mulching - If you have not already done so, you should mulch your shrubs, trees and flower beds. There are a wide array of mulches to choose from (leaves, pine needles, bark, straw, etc.) and some may have benefits over others for specific situations. Acidic loving plants such as azaleas and rhododendrons especially like pine needles and they make an attractive and neat mulch. Pine bark chips are also an excellent choice. Flower beds and perennial borders will benefit greatly from a layer of finely shredded leaves or compost. They will eventually break down over the winter and provide nutrients to your soil.

pruning evergreens - This practice brings two advantages - in addition to obviously tidying up your plants, you can use the cuttings for Christmas decorations. Magnolia, cedars, cypress, yews and hollies are all good candidates as well as my favorite, nandina. The berries of the nandina shrub are spectacular in arrangements or garnishing desserts for holiday parties.

containers - You should cover your containers and statuary with plastic bags or turn them upside down to prevent winter injury. They can also be brought in and stored inside a basement or garage. If left unattended, water will eventually freeze inside them and cause the container to break. Terra cotta is especially vulnerable to breakage.

taking hardwood cuttings - A good time to take cuttings of azaleas, rhododendrons, evergreens and other woody plants.

feeding the birds - To me, gardening and birding go hand in hand. I enjoy birds throughout the year and cannot imagine the garden without them. Working in the garden in springtime with the birds singing around you can be a spiritual experience! Birds are even more appreciated during the winter when you have more time to observe them. They also depend greatly on us during the winter months for food, water and shelter. Keep your feeders full (a practice than can usually keep you busy several times a week) and you can be assured that these feathered friends will remain in your garden.