1.Replace summer annuals with winter bloomers if the frost has
burned them. Top performers are dianthus, flowering kale and

cabbage, pansies, snapdragons, violas, and stock. Add some rich

compost and bone and blood meal to the soil to give the new plants

a boost.

 

2. Plant bulbs: There is still plenty of time to plant those spring bulbs.

Look for narcissus, daffodils, tulips, anemones, ranunculus, jonquils,

and muscari.

 

3. Cut back perennials: If the frost and freezing weather has damaged

the tops of your flowering perennials, cut them back to just above

ground level and mulch with compost and pine-bark mixed. This will

conserve soil moisture and keep the roots healthy and warm.

 

4. Choose a living Christmas tree: This is the season to bring a tree

indoors for the holidays. Why not choose a living one that you can add

to your landscape in January.  Some good choices: Aleppo pine, Arizona

blue-ice cypress, deodar cedar, blue point juniper, and Italian stone pine.

5. Rake leaves: Get outside, do some raking and inhale some of that

lovely chilly winter air. Remember, un-raked leaves can damage your

lawn, especially if they become wet.

 

6. Start a compost pile: Please don’t send those leaves (mentioned in 5)

to the landfill. Use them to build a great big compost heap.

 

7. Move tropical plants inside… or they will die.  Mandevilla, plumeria,

philodendron, ficus, bougainvillea, and hibiscus will all perish if

allowed to freeze. Put them in a garage or greenhouse, and provide as

much light and ventilation as possible; water when dry throughout the

winter. If you can’t carry them in, have some row cover (freeze cloth)

close at hand.

 

8. Care for fruit trees: Spray them and look after them. Rake all leaves

from around the base. Spray with dormant oil to kill scale insects. This

should also be done on scale-infested shrubs. Inspect burford holly

and euonymous, as they are prone to this.

 

9. Buy a little rosemary tree (trimmed). They are a delight, and make

nice table decorations for Christmas. After the holidays, dig it into

your culinary herb garden as a center point.

 

10. Rest on your laurels: On those super cold days when it’s too cold to

be outside, curl up by the fire and reflect on your successes of the past

year… and dream up some plans for 2011. A bigger vegetable patch? 

Chickens? A koi pond. An evergreen screen against the traffic? A moon

garden? Endless possibilities….  Happy gardening everyone!