tel: 512-280-1192 Dec 2, 2011
Nursery Notes: Chris W. has been in the news lately, thanks to
Donna Friedenreich and her YNN TV crew. In the run up toThanks-
giving she was covering all of the Scarborough Faire herbs with
Chris. Click here for rosemary and thyme: YNN
Seasonal Wreath Workshop this Sun at 2 p.m. In this hands-on
class, craftswoman Diane Winslow will guide you through the process
of creating your own beautiful Christmas bay leaf wreath. Pre-regis-
tration required. Fee: $35. It will also happen on Dec 10 and 11th.
Call 280-1192 to reserve your spot! (photo: Julie Blake)
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On Central Texas Gardener (KLRU-TV): Justin Kasulka from Big
Red Sun selects plants that tolerate freeze and drought. On tour, a
visit to a down-sized garden in Mueller. Noon and 4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m
A living Christmas tree is the only seasonal option for gardeners! (see #4)
Chores for the Garden in December
by Chris Winslow
1.Replace summer annuals with winter bloomers if the frost has
burned them. Top performers are dianthus, flowering kale, flowering
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
flowering 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: Allepo
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 if you leave leaves on your lawn,
they can damage grass, 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 a 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 as this litter may carry over insects to
the spring. 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
t into your culinary herb garden as a center point.
10. Rest on your laurels: On those super cold days when gardening
outside is impossible, curl up by the fire and take stock of your
gardening accomplishments for the year… and start praying for a nice
rainy and moist 2012.
Happy gardening everyone!
Visit the website: www.itsaboutthyme.com Visit the nursery:11726 Manchaca Road, Austin 78748
