December Gardening Calendar

december garden calendar tips cools season landscape, frosted leaves and birds feeding

Between decorating, preparing for holiday festivities, and enjoying the season, you might find yourself wanting to spend a bit of downtime in your garden. Here are a few things you can do to make the most of your garden this December.

1. Planting

  • Winter Vegetables: Plant cool-season crops like broccoli, kale, chard, carrots, beets, and lettuce. These thrive in the cooler Bay Area winter climate.
  • Bare-Root Roses: Late December is the perfect time to plant roses and selection is incredible.
  • Native Plants: Add California native plants to your garden to establish them during the rainy season.
  • Bulbs: Plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and alliums if you haven’t already.

2. Pruning

  • Dormant Trees: Prune deciduous fruit trees, grapevines, and roses to shape them and encourage healthy growth.
  • Evergreens: Trim evergreen shrubs and hedges to maintain their shape.
  • Clean Up Dead Growth: Remove dead or damaged branches to improve plant health.

3. Soil and Mulching

  • Mulch: Apply a thick layer of mulch to garden beds to protect the soil from erosion and suppress weeds.
  • Compost: Add compost to beds to enrich the soil for spring planting.

4. Maintenance

  • Weeding: Pull weeds while the soil is moist, making it easier to remove roots.
  • Protect Frost-Sensitive Plants: Cover tender plants with frost cloths or move potted plants to sheltered areas during frost warnings.
  • Irrigation Systems: Turn off irrigation systems during rainy periods but water as needed if the rains are sparse.

5. Lawn Care

  • Aerate Lawns: If the soil is compacted, aerate your lawn to improve water and nutrient absorption.
  • Fertilize Cool-Season Grasses: Apply a winter fertilizer to promote healthy growth.

6. Wildlife Support

  • Feed Birds: Set out feeders with seed and suet, and keep birdbaths clean and filled.
  • Plant for Pollinators: Include winter-blooming plants like hellebores, manzanita, or grevillea to support pollinators.

7. Plan for the New Year

  • Seeds: Browse seed catalogs and plan your spring and summer garden.
  • Garden Journaling: Record successes and challenges from the past year to inform your plans for the next growing season.

8. Harvest

  • Winter Citrus: Pick ripe oranges, lemons, limes, and mandarins.
  • Cool-Season Crops: Harvest leafy greens and root vegetables planted in the fall.

By tending to these tasks, Bay Area gardeners can keep their gardens healthy and thriving through the winter while preparing for a bountiful spring. Let me know if you'd like more specific tips!

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