December Lawn & Garden Tips from Pike Nurseries / Pike Nurseries

In the Garden

Decorate for Christmas. Put up fresh, fragrant wreath and garland and wrap the house in Christmas lights.
There's Still Time. Plant Daffodil bulbs now for spring blooms, as well as Hyacinths, Crocus and Tulips.
Prune Evergreen Plants Now. Use Juniper, Holly, Magnolia and Fir cuttings in wreaths, table arrangement and mantle pieces for the holidays.
Plant Woody Vines like Carolina Jessamine, American Wisteria, and Cross Vine now. Perfect for pergolas, trellises, and arbors.
Cut off Dry Stems and Foliage of Hostas, Purple Coneflowers, Black-eyed Susans, and other perennials that die back after the first frost.

Select Your Christmas Tree. When selecting a Christmas tree, make sure that it is fresh. Cup your hand at the base of a branch and run it down the length of the branch. If the needles have a healthy green color, are soft and hold fast, the tree is fresh.
Make a Fresh Cut: Make a fresh cut on the bottom of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. If you have to cut off any branches, use them to decorate and provide a refreshing evergreen fragrance around the house.
Get a Christmas Tree Stand: Christmas tree stands should be large enough to hold at least one gallon of water. Replenish the water as needed, never letting the water level drop below the bottom of the trunk. Add Keeps it Green Tree Preserve to the water to help the tree take up more water.
Keep Poinsettias and Christmas Cactus Fresh: Place holiday plants in the coolest indoor spot possible or the flowers and leaves will drop prematurely. Do not place in drafty areas or near a direct heat source like a fireplace or heating vent.
Deck the Halls with Fresh Garland. Decorate the inside and outside of your home with fresh, fragrant garland and greens.

Don't forget the birds. Put out feeders with thistle seed to attract yellow finches. Seed with a high sunflower seed content like Pike's Special Mix birdseed.