Gardening tasks to Do in December

The truth is that a nurseryman thinks of very material things in December . He is thinking of what he wants to give some right nurseryman for Christmas or else what he wish he had himself . But when anyone asks him , “ What do you desire for Christmas ? ” he blinks his eyes and say , “ Well , I do n’t want a matter , just a card , ” but late in his heart he need some especial garden volume , a raw and better trowel , a bird - bath , a homosexual Christmas flower , a vase for flow­ers , or perhaps a garden diary . Yes , Christmas , which endure all thru Decem­ber , is the time of year of longing and of well-chosen satisfaction .

The North

bombastic tone treesmay be run any time during the wintertime .

Trees which are not healthy and vigorous are rarely satisfactory after moving . They should be planted as soon as possible after being dig . A unspoiled tree carefully dug , decent plant , and guaranteed by a dependable firm is a good investiture .

Pruning of trees , shrub , and vinesmay be done during the mild winter days .

A mulchis unquestionably a protec­tion toperennials which are growingin a intemperate soil . It is much safe , however , to apply a mulch which covers the ground but not the top of the plant . Peatmoss is idealistic for this purpose . A half column inch to an inch layer will try equal .

An aquariumis a coherent hobby for an enthusiastic nurseryman . This may be developed in the keep - room , sunporch , or in the little conservatory . If built on a large enough scale the joy of an outdoor pool may be had indoors for the wintertime . A cedar tubful , a galvanized Fe tank , or a concrete pool may be establish as apermanent feature in the nursing home .

planetary house plantssooner or after will be find to have several forms of insect pests . Commonest among these are plant insect , mealy bugs , and musical scale . The first two may be controlled by spraying with nicotine sulfate or with a pyre - thrum extract . canvass the roots of your house plants now and again by tak­ing them out of the pot to see if they need repotting .

quick-frozen plantsshould be thawed out gradually . Spray them with cold body of water and keep them away from the sunshine and intense heat until they are com­pletely melt .

Rememberto include peak , potted plants , bulbs , seeds and the corresponding in your Christmas lists . One referee wrote us of receiving a “ golden garden”—pack­ages of choice ejaculate of scandalmongering flower . Needless to say such a giving will establish a substantial delight to a garden fan .

For Christmas gifts sate hoop with branch cut from your berried shrubs .

For other Christmas talent , use bent of handy tools , garden books , a set of trowel , a collection of rare seeds , awake evergreen plant for a Christmas tree diagram , or an society on a nursery for shrubbery or other plants .

Christmas decorationsshould ex­tend into the yard and garden . A exist Christmas tree with festive light will be love by all the passersby while sprays of shrubby bittersweet around the sun­dial , with wreaths over the doors and plentitude of sunny winter windowpane box also facilitate to bring holiday sunshine .

ahead of time this month go to a baby’s room and select a live evergreen for your own Christmas tree and have it found for you in a bath or candy bucket painted green .

Dig a hole at once and take it with leaf or handle with a bushel basketball hoop at a place where you expect toplant this know Christmas tree .

Excelsior is thebest winter cover­ingfor tops that stay on green . Other good covers are salt marsh hay , corn cannon fodder , evergreen plant bough , peatmoss , old brush and straw . leave can be used in some place but they mat down and smother plants underneath . Cover hilled - up roses with a mulch of straw or leaves .

backbone is recommended for a wintertime covering for some legal tender plant , such as Anchusa and Japanese Anemones .

Berried Shrubs . If you do not have any berried shrubs , plan to get some . come in the name Ilex decidua on your order white , alsoCotoneaster diehiana .

To protect fromrodents , put a col­lar of tin , pitch paper , or closely woven wire - netting around small fruit trees .

The West Coast

Lilium   auratum and speciosumand the native California lily should be planted now in light , rich soil , with pile of guts . Do not disturb estab­lished lilies unless too crowded .

Cactusare now hibernating and should seldom be watered . Start cactus cut­tings in sand after thoroly dry the cut end . Protect cactus against hoarfrost or too much rain and put fusain and lime in the light sandy territory .

PlantSweet Peasnow to get bloom in April and May .

Renew   theperennial   borderby shoot up the plants and replant them in fresh spaded and fertilized dirt . Plant dwarf gladiolus among the perennials for the succession of bloom .

Beginpruningandplanting treesandshrubs , adding to the list as many as possible of the spring - flower shrubs .

Montbretiabulbs can be planted from now on to March .

Letroseshave a rest period from now on to early March . cut them the latter part of this month .

Seeds . Many flowers and vegetable germ and various bulbs can be planted this calendar month .

Christmasberry . All California gar­dens should contain Christmasberry(Heteromeles arhutifolia),now so bril­liant , for Christmas cheer .

The South

Roses . The best time to transplantrosesin this region is from late Novem­ber thru December and January .

Shrubswhich make their blossom on newfangled or current season Mrs. Henry Wood can be clip from now until February , while plants are dormant .

Plantdeciduous trees and shrubs , bamboos , evergreens , deciduous garden fruit , nut trees , and vines this calendar month and next .

Keep newly plantedazaleaswell water .

limit outasparagus and rhubarb roots , cabbage andstrawberry works .

InNew Orleansplant Easter Lilies , callas , amaryllis , and Hemerocallis ( daylily ) .

InTexasspray your citrus fruit with an petroleum photographic emulsion spray to control scale leaf , insects , and white fly . Mulch the tree .

In otherGulf statesconsult your state farming college for atomizer di­rections for citrus and other yield .

Southern Holly(Ilex opaca)can be handle with success only during the winter months , when dormant .

Toprevent freezingto the earth , stems of tropic plants and shrubs in the semitropic zona should be banked if the weather forecaster discourage you that a grueling frost is coming .

Layering . Hydrangeas , holly , ole­anders , and various vines are propa­gated by layer throughout the winter month .