December gardening tips

December:

Rainfall:
Average: 1.0 inches
Record: 4.0 inches (1967)

Temperature (degrees F):
Average High: 66.2 degrees
Lowest High: 36 degrees (1898)
Record High: 87 degrees (1950)
Average Low: 41.8 degrees
Highest Low: 59 degrees (1949)
Record Low: 22 degrees (1900, 1911)

Now’s the time to:
- Plant artichokes
- Plant bare root trees and shrubs when they become available at the end of the month.
- Rake the leaves fallen from the trees, most deciduous trees like ashes, elms, apricot trees, peach trees start losing them after the first frosts. They keep losing them until the end of December. Beware that any frost sensitive plants growing in their shade will be losing their protection.

What to sow:
African Daisies, Alyssum, Bachelor Button, Bells of Ireland, Calendula, California Poppy, Candytuft, Carnation, Clarkia, Delphinium, Everlastings, Forget-Me-Not, Gaillardia, Globe Amaranth, Godetia, Gypsophila, Helichrysum, Hollyhocks, Larkspur, Lupines, Nicotiana, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox, Pinks, Poppy, Salpiglossis, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Sweet Peas, Sweet Sultan, Sweet William, Verbena, Viola

In the vegetable garden:
- Plant artichokes, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, radishes.

Grass:
- After the first mowing, fertilize winter lawns with a high phosphate fertilizer like superphosphate, triple superphosphate, or a complete fertilizer that is 20% phosphorous or more by weight. Ammonium phosphate (16-20-0) is another option. Follow the application rates and directions on the label.
In the Vegetable Garden:

Plant:
Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Lettuce (Head & Leaf), Mustard, Green Onions, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, Turnips
Plant Transplants: Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf)
- Watch for insect and pest problems, identify and manage early to prevent damage.

Things Not To Do:
- DO NOT increase opportunities for fungal disease on turf by over watering, watering at night, over fertilizing, or mowing when the grass is wet.
- DO NOT OVER WATER which will result in root rots. Allow the soil to dry out between watering.

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