q       Plant container-grown,  B&B, and bare-root trees and shrubs when the ground is not frozen or too wet.  Always plant at the same level plants were grown at the nursery, or slightly higher.  Top-dress with 2" of compost.

q       Do not plant Southern Magnolia or Cherry Laurel until late February or March.

q       Thoroughly water and mulch new plantings, keeping mulch away from the plant's trunk.

q       Fertilize evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, if temperatures are moderate and the ground is free of snow.  Use 'Holly-Tone' on most broad leaved evergreens and 'Plant-Tone' on deciduous plants.  Wait until March to fertilize Magnolias and Cherry Laurels.

q       Prune summer flowering trees (that bloom on new wood) to force new shoots in the spring.

q       Prune broadleaf and narrowleaf evergreen shrubs to shape.  Do not prune spring flowering shrubs or vines, except to remove dead, diseased or crossing wood.

q      Now is the time to begin heavy structural pruning of evergreen shrubs, such as holly and boxwood.  You may wait until mid-March if you prefer new growth to start right away and avoid looking at bare stumps.

q      Prune summer flowering shrubs that bloom on new growth, like Butterfly Bush and Pee Gee Hydrangea, any time this month.  Avoid pruning when the sap is frozen.

q      After a snowfall, be sure to brush snow off  evergreen limbs to prevent breakage.

q     Remove snow and ice as necessary from walkways and use a magnesium chloride product rather than salt to melt ice.  This is safer for plants and pets.

q     Apply lime-sulfur as a dormant spray on roses when the temperature is above freezing.  This will help to control over-wintering disease spores.

q     Start seeds of annuals indoors during mid-February.  They should be ready to plant outside after the last frost date.

December Tips