Emily's Gardening Almanac Timely Tips from a Professional Gardening Expert

December Gardening Tips

• Protect your poinsettias. If your poinsettia came with a plastic sleeve or wrapping, make sure to take this off to allow excess water to drain away.

• If a poinsettia stem breaks, sear the cut over an open flame and use it as a cut flower. Mix with other flowers or greenery.

• Keep all your holiday plants watered and protected from hot or cold drafts.

• Amaryllis blooms will last longer if they are not in direct sunlight.

• If you are purchasing a flower holiday plant (cyclamen, Christmas cactus, cloxinia, Jerusalem cherry, kalanchoe, or poinsettia) as a gift, remember they cannot handle cold temperatures, so do not leave them in your unheated car.

• If you are using greenery out of your yard to decorate, remember you will be pruning the plant when you cut the greenery. Make your cuts even and consider the form of the plant after you have pruned.

• For greenery being used inside the house, crush the end of the stem and place in warm water for a few hours before arranging the greenery. This will make the greenery last longer.

• Holly berries make great accessories to wreaths, fruit bowls, and gift packages during the holidays. To keep the berries looking fresh, spray with an acrylic floor wax.

• If you have clay pots around your yard, now is the time to clean them and either bring them inside or turn them upside down. Freezing will cause them to crack and crumble.

• It is still a great time to plant a tree! Consider giving a tree as a gift.

Visit the following web site for more gardening information and helpful tips:

Extension's Successful Gardener^sm

For informaton concerning this or other publications please contact Emily Lucas Revels, Extension Agent, Horticulture, at (910) 321-6870.

Created by Susan Johnson, System Administrator, July 2005