December Tips & Events for Santa Clara County |
|
|
|
"A bare tree stands with roots on both ends in December days." ~Kiran Bantawa
|
|
|
|
Cyclamen is a winter-blooming perennial that you can plant in your garden after enjoying its indoor color. Water it in pots by giving a good soaking; then wait until the soil surface feels dry before watering again. Do not water the center of the plant or the tubers may rot. Pinch off dead leaves and spent flowers to keep the plant tidy. After you've enjoyed cyclamen inside, plant outside in part shade in fairly rich, well-draining soil. Cyclamen goes dormant during the summer months, so the leaves will dry up. It will seem as if it has disappeared but will start growing again with some water in late summer or early fall.
Photo: Cyclamen in full bloom, Ivy Lu
|
|
Fruit Tree Dormant Sprays |
Do you need to spray dormant oil on your fruit trees? The UC tip sheet Winter Pest Management in Backyard Deciduous Fruit Trees says “a dormant spray may not be warranted every year in the backyard orchard except where peach leaf curl is consistently a problem. Decide if you need to apply by noting the amount of insect and disease damage during the previous growing season.” See the article for more advice on pruning, sanitation, and dormant sprays.
Photo: Dormant apricot trees, UC, Jack Kelly Clark
|
|
|
|
Keep an eye out for snails and slugs — they are among the most destructive pests in our gardens and landscapes. Now that our winter rains have started, these mollusks are emerging to eat tender plants and vegetables. They feed at night, so use a flashlight to find them after dark or go out early in the morning. Regular hand-picking can be very effective in controlling snails and slugs. Other pests can cause holes in leaves, flowers, and fruit, too. To identify slugs and snails as the culprits, look for the shiny slime trails they leave behind.
|
|
Photo: Snail feeding on Brussels sprout, UC, Jack Kelly Clark
|
|
|
|
|
|
Know which of your plants need protection from chilly temperatures. Tropical and subtropical plants may suffer chilling injuries when temperatures dip below 50°F. Hence, we usually grow such plants as summer annuals or in pots to bring indoors in winter. Many other plants easily tolerate our frequent light frosts. Hard freezes (temperatures below 28°F) are rare in most parts of the county, but if one is expected, protect vulnerable plants with row cover or by suspending material over them. Remove the cover during the day to let the sun warm up the ground. Well-watered plants are less likely to be damaged. Should frost damage occur, don’t prune it out until spring. |
Photo: Frost on broccoli, North Carolina Extension |
|
|
|
Working Clay Soil
Fall rains create ideal conditions to work with clay soil. At the right level of moisture — not too dry, not too wet — clay is easy to dig. Use a digging fork to loosen the soil and break it into a coarse, granular structure. If the soil sticks to your fork in large clumps, it’s too wet. Wait a few days and try again. After creating this granular structure, mix 1–2 inches of compost into the top foot of soil. Avoid re-compacting the soil by not stepping into the garden beds. If you must get inside a bed to reach plants, step on a piece of plywood or other material to distribute your weight over a larger area.
|
|
Photo: Using a garden fork in soil, Candace Simpson |
|
|
|
There will be no Plant Clinic in December.
Sustainable Vegetable Gardening, first class in a six-week course, Tuesday, February 8, 6:30–8:30 pm, Fremont Unified High School District Adult Education, 589 West Fremont, Sunnyvale
|
Check our calendar for the latest schedule of events. Videos of many past presentations are also available.
|
|
|
|
University of California Master Gardener volunteers promote sustainable gardening practices and provide research-based horticultural information to home gardeners. Visit our website for more information including:
Have a gardening question? Ask us. We’re here to help!
|
|
|
|
|
|
