The Holidays are here, the mountains are covered with snow, and your garden is probably the last thing on your mind right now.  December is a great time for busy gardeners to get some rest!  If you do feel so inclined to work in the garden, however, there are a few things you can do:

• Water at least once this month.  Yes, we say this a lot, but if we don’t get at least an inch of rainfall or a foot of snow, it’s time to drag out the hose and give those plants a drink.
• If we do a get a lot of snow and the weight of it is threatening to break the branches of your trees and shrubs, make sure to gently brush it off.  If it’s just a light layer, you can leave on as insulation.
• Strong winter winds can leave some of your trees with broken and hanging branches.  Be sure to cut these off as soon as possible in order to avoid further damage.
• Feed the birds!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With all these cold nights we’re guessing your garden is probably done for the season.  While gardening tasks have lightened up due to the time of year, there are still a few things you can do.

Last month we talked about mulch, and it’s still not too late to be adding it to your garden beds.  Surround your perennials with it and cover your flower and vegetable beds with it to help protect the soil through the winter.

Even though we aren’t seeing growth right now, that doesn’t mean you should skip out on fertilizing.  Giving your lawn and other plants a fall feeding will help them take off in the spring and overpower the new weeds.  

Make sure to water at least once this month, paying particular attention to any of your newly planted trees, shrubs, or perennials.  Don’t forget to drain and roll up your hose when you’re done, disconnecting it from the spigot to prevent any broken pipes due to freezing.

Lastly, now is a great time to clean up and take stock of your garden.  Rake those leaves and add them to your compost, clean and sharpen your garden tools, and determine what worked and didn’t work and what you might want to change next year.