As winter begins to settle in, gardeners and homeowners in Fayetteville, NC, might think it’s time to put their gardening tools away and wait for the warmer months. However, December presents an excellent opportunity to get a jump start on next year’s gardening season, while also ensuring that your yard is properly maintained and protected through the colder months.
At Green Biz Nursery & Landscaping, we’ve put together a list of essential gardening and yard chores for December—tailored to Fayetteville’s climate and needs. These tasks will help keep your garden healthy and thriving, while also making sure your outdoor space looks its best during the winter.
1. Protect Your Plants from Frost
Fayetteville’s December temperatures can be unpredictable, with occasional freezes and frosty mornings. To protect your plants from the cold, especially the more sensitive varieties, you should take action now:
- Cover tender plants: Use frost blankets, burlap, or old sheets to cover frost-sensitive plants during particularly cold nights. Be sure to remove the covers during the day to allow plants to breathe.
- Mulch around perennials: Adding a thick layer of mulch (such as shredded leaves or straw) around the base of your perennials, shrubs, and trees helps insulate the soil and protects the roots from freezing.
- Move potted plants: If you have potted plants that are not cold-hardy, bring them indoors or move them to a sheltered spot like a porch or garage.
2. Clean Up and Prepare Your Garden Beds
Although the growing season has slowed, December is the perfect time to tidy up your garden beds in preparation for spring.
- Remove spent plants and dead foliage: Clean up any remaining debris from your garden beds to reduce the chances of disease and pests. Dead leaves, stems, and flowers should be composted (if disease-free) or discarded.
- Cut back dead growth: Trim back any dead or damaged perennials, grasses, and shrubs. This will keep your garden looking neat and allow new growth to emerge more easily in the spring.
- Refresh your mulch: If mulch has broken down over the season or been displaced by wind or rain, add a fresh layer around your plants to help insulate and protect the soil.
3. Winterize Your Lawn
Your lawn may not be growing actively during December, but it still needs some attention to stay healthy over the winter months.
- Keep mowing (but less often): Continue mowing your grass on dry days, but raise the mower blades slightly so the grass stays longer. Longer grass helps insulate the soil and prevent frost damage.
- Water the lawn sparingly: While the grass is dormant, it still needs some moisture. If you haven’t had much rainfall, water your lawn occasionally during dry spells. Aim for deep, infrequent watering.
- Rake leaves regularly: Fallen leaves can block sunlight from reaching the grass and promote mold growth. Make sure to rake up leaves regularly or mulch them with your mower.
4. Prune and Maintain Trees & Shrubs
December is a great time to address any needed pruning on trees and shrubs, but it’s important to do so carefully. Pruning can help promote better growth in the spring and remove any dead or damaged branches that might break during winter storms.
- Prune dormant trees and shrubs: For most deciduous trees and shrubs, late fall to early winter is the ideal time to prune. Make sure to remove dead, diseased, or damaged wood. Avoid heavy pruning of flowering shrubs or fruit trees until they’re fully dormant.
- Check for pest issues: Inspect trees and shrubs for signs of pests like scale, aphids, or mites. If you find any, treat them with an appropriate dormant oil spray.
5. Plant Cold-Hardy Vegetables & Herbs
Fayetteville’s mild winter means it’s still possible to plant cold-hardy vegetables and herbs that can handle the chilly weather.
- Garlic: This is the perfect time to plant garlic. It needs a cold period to develop strong roots and will be ready for harvest next summer.
- Onions: You can also plant onion sets or transplants in December. They’ll overwinter and start growing when the weather warms up in the spring.
- Kale, spinach, and other greens: Cool-weather greens like kale, spinach, and lettuce can still be planted in your garden or raised beds. They will continue to grow slowly through the winter if protected by row covers or cold frames.
6. Winterize Your Irrigation System
Make sure your irrigation system is properly prepared for the winter to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.
- Drain your system: Turn off the water supply to your irrigation system, drain all lines, and remove any hoses from faucets. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, consider hiring a professional to winterize it.
- Check your water features: If you have a fountain or pond, make sure it’s not prone to freezing. Drain the water, or if the water feature is large, install a heater to prevent ice buildup.
7. Take Care of Garden Tools
December is an ideal time to clean, sharpen, and maintain your gardening tools, so they’re ready for use when the spring season arrives.
- Clean and sharpen tools: Use a wire brush or scraper to remove dirt, sap, and rust from tools. Sharpen mower blades, pruners, shovels, and hoes to ensure they’re in good condition.
- Oil moving parts: Apply a thin coat of oil to the hinges and handles of your tools to prevent rust and corrosion during the winter months.
- Store properly: Make sure all tools are stored in a dry, sheltered area to prevent damage from moisture and freezing.
8. Support Local Wildlife
Winter can be a tough time for wildlife, so consider making your garden a sanctuary for birds, insects, and small mammals.
- Put up bird feeders: Fill bird feeders with high-energy food like suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts to attract local birds. Keep feeders clean and stocked throughout the winter.
- Leave some areas undisturbed: Leave fallen leaves, seed heads, and dried plants in some areas of your yard. These provide shelter and food for birds and beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Conclusion
While December is a quieter month in the garden, it’s an important time for Fayetteville homeowners to prepare their landscapes for the coming seasons. By taking care of your plants, lawn, and garden tools, you’ll ensure that your yard is ready to burst with new life come spring.
At Green Biz Nursery & Landscaping, we’re here to help with all your gardening and landscaping needs throughout the year. Whether you’re in need of a new landscape, a paver design, or an irrigation system, don’t hesitate to contact us for help. Happy gardening, and here’s to a beautiful and healthy landscape in 2024!
For more tips and expert advice, be sure to follow Green Biz Nursery & Landscaping and stay up to date on the best practices for your Fayetteville garden.