Things to do in December

Stay off the grass.  The frozen tissue is brittle and walking may thaw crowns before they refreeze.

Save all your seed catalogs.  They are a useful resource, even if you don’t order seeds in the mail.

Protect the Alberta spruce by wrapping it in burlap, set up a wind barrier before the ground freezes.

Make sure there is water in your Christmas tree stand.

To make houseplant gifts last as long as possible remove the decorative foil around the pot, empty saucer within an hour after watering, avoid setting plant near a fireplace or woodstove or near drafts.

In providing houseplant care, check the amount of light needed for a particular plant, pot size, the way you water, and the amount of humidity in your home. Houseplants can be beneficial to indoor air quality.

The Western Conifer Seed Bug may be a nuisance, but it really doesn’t cause any problems. They are about ¾” long with legs that protrude from their sides, dull brown in color, and their body is somewhat flattened.  They stink when crushed.

Don’t use flea bombs where they are not meant to be used and where they don’t last.

Water your evergreens.

Suggestions for holiday plants: dish garden, poinsettia, Christmas cactus, kalanchoe, amaryllis

Protect tree trunks from voles, mice, and rabbits.  For trees up to 4” in diameter, set a cylinder make of stiff hardware cloth around the trunk from the ground up to the highest snowline.

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