TREES, SHRUBS & ORNAMENTALS

Judiciously prune evergreens to use for winter decorations in the house. Rather than randomly hacking off some greenery, cut out unwanted limbs that you'd be pruning in February anyway. (Still, save your major pruning for late winter.) Holly, Magnolia, Cedar, and Nandina foliage will last a long time after cutting.

Plant bare-root or balled-and-burlapped plants properly! Keep plants well-watered before planting, or "heel them in" temporarily by digging a ditch, laying the plants at a 45 degree angle, and placing soil over the root ball. Water well. "Heeling in" keeps the roots moist and prevents them from freezing. When transporting "B&B" plants, lift by the ball of soil; don't use the trunk or stems as a handle because the soil will break away from the roots.

Prevent winter damage to plants from dessication (drying), freezing (and thawing), and breakage from ice and snow loads. Keep plants watered during dry periods. Call for a bulletin describing Durham's weather and its effect on landscape plants.

Mulch shrubs, trees, perennials, and herbs after the first killing frost for winter protection. Apply a layer 2-3" deep. This is an excellent time to mulch, since most perennials are dormant and it's easy to get a wheelbarrow into the garden.

Weed out "weed" trees and shrubs. Prolifically-seeding plants like oak, elm, mimosa, hackberry, plum, and ligustrum (privet) produce numerous offspring which compete with other landscape plants for light, water and nutrients. Weedy woody seedlings are easier to remove while still young.

WILDLIFE & INSECTS

Clean bird feeders monthly with hot sudsy water and diluted bleach to prevent the spread of wild bird diseases. Keep seed hulls from accumulating underneath the feeder to discourage rodents.

Put your cut tree to use! A Christmas tree need not go to waste after the holidays. Cut the branches and lay them over perennials to protect them from the cold. Shred small branches to make mulch. Or, leave the tree whole and place it near your birdfeeder where birds can use it for cover.

LANDSCAPE IDEA

Giving gifts? Consider giving a good gardening book or accessory! Gardening is a gift all year round.

Want a live Christmas tree? North Carolina is the second largest producer of Christmas trees in the United States! Most are grown in the NC mountains. Many of the species that are popular for Christmas trees - including spruce and Fraser fir - languish in the heat of the Piedmont. Instead, choose a tree from a local tree farm or nursery, and select a species that is adapted to our climate. Eastern redcedar is a good choice, as are Cryptomeria, Chamaecyparis, upright junipers, and ornamental pines. For a large landscape tree, try Virginia pine or Leyland cypress. Try to minimize the time your live tree spends indoors, and keep it well watered.

HOUSEPLANTS

Keep poinsettias healthy. The most common reasons that poinsettias decline in the home environment are low light, improper watering (either too little or too much), and exposure to temperatures outside their favored range of 55-75°F. Poinsettias can be kept as houseplants, but inducing them to bloom again is not easy.

Force some bulbs to enjoy a little springtime during the cold winter months. Fragrant paperwhite narcissus and hyacinth force easily, as do many daffodils, tulips and other bulbs. Some can even be planted outdoors after you enjoy their blooms inside. Call for publications that will tell you how.

PUBLICATIONS FOR DECEMBER
Winter Weather:
o Durham's Weather (UHN 1)
o Cold Damage: Protecting Plants (HIL 604)
Planting Techniques
o Planting Trees & Shrubs ("Planting High") (UHN 7)
o Planting Techniques for Trees & Shrubs (HIL 601)
Consumer Care of Poinsettias (HIL 8508)
Forcing Bulbs Indoors:
o Amaryllis (HIL 8529)
o Paperwhite Narcissus (HIL 8530)
o Daffodils (HIL 8531)
o Hyacinths (HIL 8507)