Texas Gardening Tasks For December . . . .

Deadhead and feed cool season color and vegetables with an organic slow-release fertilizer. Continue to plant cool weather color: pansies, snapdragons, and cyclamen.

Lettuces can also still be started from seed.

Maintain watering on newly planted seeds and transplants. Continue to deep water trees and shrubs. A well hydrated plant holds up to frosts and freezes better than a drought stressed plant.

Bring in containerized tropicals:  Plumerias, crotons, dracaenas, etc. Check undersides of leaves and new growth for insects and treat accordingly.

Mow fallen leaves with a mulching mower. When lawn can’t take more leaves, collect the leaves add to flower beds. When beds are full of mulched leaves, add to the compost bin.

Poinsettias- Water well until soil is saturated and allow to dry between waterings. Apply water to soil and not the foliage or blooms. Keep away from drafts.

Birds- Don’t forget to keep seed feeders full and fresh water in bird baths. Put out suet cakes — the extra protein helps keep our feathered friends warm in the winter months.

Freezes- Have frost cloth on hand to cover tender plants in case of freezing weather

There are a lot of things to do in the garden this month. Think about what absolutely has to be done and try to get it done before the holidays! Since our weather can be horrible or beautiful keeping up on chores is important.

Make sure that your beds of annuals are properly mulched. Weeds continue to grow in the winter.

Mulch will discourage their germination and will make it easier to pull them up as they grow.

As your perennials die back be sure to remove the dead vegetation to discourage any infestation of pests when the weather warms. Put an extra thick layer of mulch over them and mark them so you know what and where things are.

When a severe freeze threatens be sure to get out there and water your beds thoroughly. Well hydrated plants will be better able to deal with a cold snap. Cover especially tender plants with plastic and bring tender potted plants inside until the temperature warms. If you have a special favorite you can set a frame covered with plastic over it and during especially cold weather can slip a light bulb under the plastic to keep the temperature high enough for its survival.

Don't forget those tulip and hyacinth bulbs you have in the refrigerator! Now is the time to take them out and get them into the ground.  You can plant them any time this month. Tulip bulbs are especially tasty to squirrels you may want to try covering

the bed with chicken wire before you mulch or liberally sprinkling the area with cayenne pepper if squirrels have been a problem in the past. Retreat with pepper after rain. (When using pepper be sure to stay upwind from the stuff as you spread it!!)

Holiday plants require care to stay good looking as long as possible. When purchasing poinsettias don't stop and shop on the way home. If it is cold outside they could be damaged before you arrive home. Carefully consider the placement of any holiday plants in your home. Plants should be away from heat registers or doors that open to the outside. Place plants in groups or near a tray of gravel filled with water for humidity. Make sure pot wrap has not plugged up pot drainage holes.

Don't over water plants, be sure that their roots are not sitting in water.

If you want to start cuttings from your Christmas cactus do so after it has finished blooming. Take a cutting with 4 or 5 joints and put it into moist soil and place it a brightly lit window. It should root within 3 or 4 weeks.

Repair, clean and oil garden tools and equipment. Don't forget wooden handles, a light coat of linseed or similar oil will help preserve and prolong their useful life. Drain gasoline from power tools.

Trees and shrubs can be planted this month. Planting them now or up to the end of March is the optimal time. This gives their roots all winter to get established and enables them to handle summer heat better. Containerized trees and shrubs can be planted all year but right now is best.

Be sure to keep newly planted shrubs and trees well watered if the weather is dry throughout the winter. Keep the soil moist not soggy.

Trees should be pruned while they are dormant. With our late warm weather most deciduous trees have not dropped all their leaves yet so you should wait to prune them. Deciduous trees are best pruned while the leaves are down as it is easier to see the structure of the tree. Evergreens can also be pruned now. Shrubs should be dormant by mid-December. Trim shrubs if needed unless they are spring bloomers.

If you are really feeling energetic, and already have your Christmas shopping done, apply a light (1/4 inch) topdressing of compost to your lawn AFTER it has turned brown and gone dormant.

Rake it in and then water. The microbes will slowly work on any thatch build up over the winter.

Don't forget that your lawn needs approximately 1 inch of water per MONTH during the winter. If it does not rain, water. Keeping the roots hydrated especially during a dry wind will increase its survival and its ability to break dormancy in the spring.

Roses can be transplanted anytime from early to mid December after a hard freeze or killing frost.

If your roses are still blooming because of our rain and mild weather so far this year you can still transplant them until late February. When moving a rose dig out as much of the root system as possible and replant immediately, do not let the roots dry out. Newly moved roses should be monitored closely for moisture. If our weather dries out be sure to continue to keep the new transplant moist. Do not prune or fertilize your roses this month.

Finally get out all those gardening catalogues and start dreaming and planning for your garden next year. Place orders for seeds you want early so that they will be on hand when you are ready for them!