Doon Gardening Society Monthly News Letter - DECEMBER
Dear Gardeners,
Welcome to a full of joy month of December.
The winters are in. The day temperature in Dehra Dun is now around 22 - 25° C and the night comes down to 12 - 10° C.
Chrysanthemums have started to bloom in Dehra Dun and in gardens where these were planted before mid September these are in full bloom presenting a beautiful and colourful sight to the beholders. If you had planted the early hybrid variety of petunias in September, these are also in full bloom. The bogonavillieas and the marigold are also in full bloom making the garden very colourful.
Gardening activities in the month of December
Usually December means extreme cold weather and time to harvest winter cabbages and cauliflowers. Leeks should be about ready, just take what you need and leave the rest to stand until required. Leeks are much better harvested from the garden as they are required. It is also time to harvest carrots, peas, kohl, rabi, lettuce, celery, parsnips and turnips are also ready for harvestings. Sweet potatoes are also ready can be harvested. It is often called the vegetable oyster' and properly cooked is a wonderful vegetable as well as a filling mid day or evening snack.
With the temperature coming down and having planted all your spring flowering plants, most gardeners think that December is the month for rest.
However for a true gardener it is not so. The list of 'don't-dos' runs as under:
As the ground becomes vacant, you can dig it over and spread manure over the surface. Leave the soil roughly dug in large clumps and the worms will break these up as they get the manure. The freezing and thawing of water in the soil will cause the soil to break up finely so becoming easier to handle in the spring.
Winter is a good time to undertake double digging, incorporating manure into the bottom of the trench and deepening your topsoil.
Soil analyses. It is a good time to check soil pH (potential hydrogen). This is measured on a scale of 1 to 14 with 7 being regarded as neutral, although in gardening terms 6.5 will support most plants. Below 7 is acid and above alkaline. If you want the best out of your garden get the soil samples tested by professional analysis for both pH and nutrient content.
Try and keep things tidy to avoid providing winter homes for pests waiting for the spring.
Indoor plants
Time to look after the indoor plants. These plants need more sunlight and a little bit of fertilizer. Bring them out in the sun for a week, apply a tea spoon full of low nutrient fertilizer (Depends on the size of the Plant), and water it.
Perennials, annuals, and bulbs
Perennials, annuals, and bulbs
If you potted some bulbs, like daffodils, freesia, gladioli, hyacinths, lilacs and tulips, during September/October for winter forcing, keep an eye on them. Make sure they remain moist, and in the dark until they have established their root systems.
If they have already rooted and the new top growth has begun, bring these into the house and place these in a cool room, in indirect light. After a week or so, move them into bright light, and watch them go grow.
You may have dug up some corms and tubers in the months of October/November and stored these. Remove and discard any of these, which show signs of disease or rot.
Shrubs and trees
The likely hood of the winter rains makes a gardener ignore watering your garden. However, plants and shrubs which are growing beneath large evergreens or under the shades of the house may get dry.
Not watering these in the cold winter months can be fatal to many of these plants. Check the soil for moisture and if dry apply water.
The tender plants Rhododendrons, Camellias and Azaleas get affected by sudden drop in the temperatures. Temporary protection can be given by driving in three or four stakes around the plant, and then covering the plant with some cloth, or plastic knitted sheet, ensuring that it does not come into direct contact with the leaves. The cover should be removed, once the weather improves.
December is an ideal month to take cuttings of rhododendrons, azaleas, and other evergreen shrubs. The cutting should be taken from new tip growth, and kept in bright light, at about 20° C.
The tender plants Rhododendrons, Camellias and Azaleas get affected by sudden drop in the temperatures. Temporary protection can be given by driving in three or four stakes around the plant, and then covering the plant with some cloth, or plastic knitted sheet, ensuring that it does not come into direct contact with the leaves. The cover should be removed, once the weather improves.
December is an ideal month to take cuttings of rhododendrons, azaleas, and other evergreen shrubs. The cutting should be taken from new tip growth, and kept in bright light, at about 20° C.
House Plants
The glossy leaved house plants such as Philodendrons, Rubber plants, and Palms should be given a water spray and then sponge dried periodically, to allow them to breathe.
Lawns
Do not let the lawn grass dry out. Application of a daily water spray in the evening just before dusk will ensure that the cold frost does not kill it.
Lawns
Do not let the lawn grass dry out. Application of a daily water spray in the evening just before dusk will ensure that the cold frost does not kill it.
Spring Flowers:
If you could not plant your own nurseries during October/November you can plant your spring collection by purchasing these plantlets from your local nurseries. They are carrying a large variety of the following flower plants:
Agerantum | Alyssum | Antirrhium | Aster |
Calendula | Candytuff | Carnation | Cinararia |
Cornflower | Daisy | Dianthus | Gerbera |
Gazania | Gillardia | Hollyhock | Larkspur |
Lobelia | Pansy | Petunia | Phlox |
Poppy | Verbania |
Summer Bulbs: The summer bulbs like Caladiums, Gladiolus, Football Lily, Spider Lily and Tiger lily if not already dug up and preserved for the next season, their top foliage should be removed and allowed to dry for two weeks. These should then be dusted with Sulphur
Regards and happy gardening
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