December is beautiful for gardening

What a beautiful December for gardening. I don’t think (except for occasional dryness) we could have had better weather. This week will have a slight warming trend, so watch the plants’ needs for water.

This is the time of year to develop root systems on all your ornamentals. Flowering perennials such as roses will respond favorably to anything that stimulates root growth. This also goes for fruit trees, flowering trees and shrubs.

This week I would like to focus on ornamental landscapes that surround our homes. To create a healthy plant, we want to stimulate root growth and have a powerful food source available to the plant. All of the following resources are readily available at your local farm and garden supply stores, nurseries and garden centers. Ask for only good quality organic fertilizers and amendments and always follow the instructions on the packages.

The best root stimulator is “Soft Rock Phosphate.” It is slow-release and phosphorus is the element used by plants to develop a strong root system. Next on the list is “Bone Meal.” It doesn’t last as long in the soil, but it does do a good job at root development. To help enhance these products’ action, I like to add “Alfalfa Meal” and “Kelp Meal.” I sprinkle these around the plants at the same time. Alfalfa is a great root stimulator and kelp has a wide selection of minerals for the plants to forage upon. To make the soil temporarily super rich in “Humus,” add a soil optimizer that has “Humates” in it. This puts lots of life next to the roots to help them grow. The higher the Humus content of the soil, the richer it is. All these compounds will enhance the organic matter around the plants.

To keep our hot sun from burning up some of these rich ingredients, mulch is a great addition. It reduces water evaporation, protects the soil from the pounding winter rains and creates an environment around the plants that roots thrive in. Do not put any mulch right against the trunks of trees or shrubs, as this can cause fungus to grow. Keep mulches at least three inches away from shrubs and eight inches away from the trunks of trees.

Leaves, grass clippings, chips, redwood mulch or bagged mulches all work. Leaves and grass clippings tend to compact; to avoid this, use these with a variety of mulches. Mulching also helps to suppress weed growth around the plant.

When next spring comes around, watch the wonderful results from our efforts this month. All our plants will thrive and bloom to warm even the coldest heart.

Have a very happy holiday and happy gardening all.