MONTHLY GARDENING TIPS
Here’s what to do, what’s in bloom, and lots of tips and tricks for each month of the year! Check back each month to find new, seasonal tips for ornamental gardening, lawn care, edible gardening, and indoor plant care in the Pacific Northwest!
December Gardening Tips for the PNW
Photo of Bressingham Gardens, UK by Richard Bloom
In the Garden
When cleaning up the garden for winter, remember that “neater” is not necessarily better. Leaving seed heads, ornamental grasses, and even some fallen leaves in place offers food and shelter for the birds and beneficial insects that overwinter in our gardens. Leave the big clean-up until spring when the weather begins to warm and these creatures come out of dormancy.
Speaking of birds, our feathered friends are grateful for extra food over the winter. We have several bird seed mixes to attract different species of birds to your yard. Learn more about Attracting Birds to your garden.
Some plants do need attention now. If you haven’t already, it’s time to either cut back and mulch dahlias or dig the tubers and store them for the winter. Learn how to do both options in our Fall Dahlia Care blog post.
You can still plant in December as long as the ground isn’t frozen. It’s a good time to plant spring-flowering bulbs and transplant dormant plants. Remember to water well after planting!
Edible Gardening
If you have a sunny windowsill or plant lights you can start an Indoor Herb Garden.
Be sure to remove any dead annual vegetables from the garden and dispose of them in the compost or yard waste bin.
When your asparagus plants have yellowed, cut them down to 12” and mulch well. You can remove the dried stems in the spring.
Lawn Care
Apply winter fertilizer if you didn’t do this in November.
You can remove any wet and moldy leaves from the lawn now with a mower (raised to highest setting), blower, or rake.
No more mowing! Clean and check your mower to prepare for winter storage.
Try to limit foot or wheel traffic on frozen grass and wet, saturated soils.
See our Lawn Care Calendar for more monthly tips to keep your lawn lush and healthy.
Indoor plants
Poinsettias are a festive addition to your home. Have you ever wondered about the History of the Poinsettia? Do you know How to Care for Poinsettias and keep them healthy?
Most houseplants will need less water in winter. Cacti and Succulents may only need to be watered monthly at most. Be sure to adjust your Watering Schedule accordingly. You can also stop fertilizing most plants (exceptions include those that are currently flowering or flower in the winter).
Make sure your plants get plenty of light. Move plants closer to windows or invest in some plant lamps to keep them happy this winter.
Unless your houseplants are very rootbound, put off repotting until next spring.