Planting
December is an ideal time to plant trees.
Transplanting
Can be done this month with good results.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer should be applied to trees this time of year.
Pest Control
Scale infestations can be sprayed with a lightweight horticultural oil – do not spray immediately before below freezing temperatures are expected. Spray several times about 10 days apart.
Pruning
Winter is the ideal time to prune both deciduous and evergreen trees.
Water
Water-in newly planted trees thoroughly, but you should not have to do much supplemental watering.
Planting
Container roses can be planted throughout this month.
Transplanting
After a killing freeze or frost is a good time to transplant roses to a new location.
Fertilizing
No fertilizing is necessary during this month.
Pest Control
Blackspot can occur in winter months but usually isn’t serious enough to need spraying.
Pruning
No pruning is necessary this month.
Watering
Established roses should receive enough water through rainfall. Newly planted or transplanted roses need watering if enough rain doesn’t fall.
Planting
Ryegrass can be planted through the winter. Dormant sodding of warm-season grasses (St. Augustine, Bermuda, Centipede) can be done but the turf can be damaged by a freeze.
Fertilizing
Fertilize ryegrass after your warm-season grass has gone dormant (turned brown). The ryegrass will turn a darker shade of green and will also grow vigorously.
Pest Control
Pest control is minimal this time of the year
Mowing
Keep ryegrass mowed to a height of 2 inches.
Watering
Dormant warm-season grasses will usually receive enough water through rainfall. Lawns over seeded with ryegrass may need to be watered if the weather is mild and dry.
Planting
Shrubs planted now have 5 months to establish themselves before the heat sets in – thus enabling them to perform better during the summer months.
Transplanting
Can be done now through the end of February.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer should be applied to shrubs this time of year.
Pest Control
Little pest control is necessary this month except for scale infestations.
Pruning
Most shrubs should be dormant by mid-December and can be pruned without stimulating new growth. DO NOT prune any shrubs that bloom in the spring since they have already begun to set their buds.
Watering
Mother Nature usually makes watering established shrubs unnecessary. Newly planted or transplanted shrubs need watering if the weather is not keeping the soil moist.
Planting
Perennials aren’t usually planted in December.
Transplanting
Most transplanting and division of perennials is done prior to December.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is required this month.
Pest Control
Most perennials are dormant in the winter so there are no pest problems.
Pruning
Cut back fall-blooming perennials that have finished blooming. Cut back any foliage that has been damaged by freeze or frost and apply 3 to 4-inch mulch over the roots and base of the plant.
Watering
Cool weather and regular rainfall make it unlikely that additional watering is necessary.
Planting
Cool/cold-season annuals can be planted with good results during this month.
Fertilizing
Fertilize only if plants have pale leaves, yellow lower leaves or stunted growth.
Pest Control
Pest control is minimal this time of the year.
Watering
Rainfall usually makes watering unnecessary, but water beds thoroughly when a freeze threatens.
