December
Winter begins in December. It's the darkest month of the year and a cold and rainy one too. Average figures tell us that December, January and February will each give us 20% of our rainfall. Temperatures below freezing are possible in most of California during these months. It's the dormant season, and there is much to do in California gardens.
It Ain't Over 'til it's Over!
You can still see fall color in our
landscapes. Autumn doesn't officially end until the winter solstice on
the 21st of the month. A few trees hold on to some of their leaves
even into January.
Select plants with 'berries' now - toyon, holly, cotoneaster,
pyracantha, nandina, arbutus. Color can range from light orange to
deep red. Buy now to get the color you prefer. Be sure to ask whether
you need a male plant nearby as a pollenator.
Remember that USDA plant zones are based on average winter low
temperatures. If you have plants that are hardy in your zone but not
in colder zones, you will need to give these plants some protection
during our infrequent 'Alaska blaster' cold spells.
The Weather Outside is Frightful!
Best frost protection is provided by moist, bare ground and by ground cover plants. Put potted plants in protected places near your house or under trees.
Dig it! A few days after a good rain, we are apt to have clear skies and sunny days. The soil will be damp but not wet, and it will be easy to cultivate. This is a good time to turn the soil over with a spading fork. Dig in some organic amendment while you're at it. Don't worry about smoothing out the ground. Let the next rain do it for you.
If you don't want to cultivate, at least check to see that weeds aren't beginning to thrive. It's easy to weed now too. If you have problem areas where weeds grow every year after the rains, be sure to apply a pre-emergent herbicide, a weed preventer, and let the rains wash it in.
Even evergreen plants are at their greatest dormancy during the winter months, making it a good time to transplant small trees, shrubs and perennials if they were planted in the wrong place. Be sure the soil is dry enough to dig without compacting it.
Camellias 
Camellia japonica begins its bloom this month and continues into
January and February. If you want to add one of these colorful winter
bloomers to your garden, select them now while they are in bloom. For
the largest and showiest flowers, disbud camellias by removing all but
the largest bud in a cluster of two or three. It's a slow job but
worth the effort.
All grasses grow slowly now and may need mowing only twice a month or
less. Annual ryegrass will probably need to be mowed weekly. Be sure
not to mow lawns planted in clay soils until they have had plenty of
time to dry out.
Lawns and Flowers
Cool season lawns can be kept green over the winter by using nitrate fertilizers beginning this month. Winter fertilizers should contain nitrogen in the form of nitrate; other forms cannot be used by plants when the weather is cold.
Plant pansies, Iceland poppies and other winter flowers from 4 inch containers. Euryops is a shrubby perennial that is covered with bright yellow flowers all winter.
Well, at least be aware before you plant. Those cute little decorated
Christmas trees you buy at the supermarket are Italian Stone Pines.
They are fast growers, and they become huge trees, too big for most
landscapes.
Caution! Warning! Danger!
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
© 1997 by Jim Clatfelter
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