DECEMBER CHECKLIST
by TERRY KRAMER
- BARE ROOT TIME Late December is the time nurseries begin to offer bare root berries, grapes and roots of perennial vegetables like artichokes, asparagus and rhubarb. Shop for bare root perennials like astilbe, daylilies, hosta and clematis. If weather is too wet to plant, try potting bare roots stock up in nursery cans for planting later on.
- ADD SOME COLOR If you get after the holiday blues try potting up a few cold-hardy annuals for cheerful color. Primroses, calendulas, Iceland poppies, pansies and violas perk up gray, dreary days.
- CHECK POTTED PLANTS Make sure containerized plants are not sitting in saucers full of rain water. Remove saucers during wet weather so root masses have a chance to drain thoroughly. Also, check plants under the eaves of the house to make sure they are getting enough moisture.
- CLEAN UP Take advantage of a sunny afternoon and do some early winter clean up. Rake fallen soggy leaves, cut back ragged perennials and pull weeds. Feed the lawn.
- PROTECT If you have tender plants sensitive to hard freezes this is the month to protect them. If freeze is forecast cover prized plants with burlap or large cardboard boxes. Coverings should not touch foliage.
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