December Gardening Checklist

 December 1 not only marks another World AIDS Day commemoration, but it also signals a new round of gardening tasks. Since "Triangle residents can look forward to an 'oasis of warmth for Wednesday and Thursday,' with highs in the 60s," as published by our WRAL 7 Day Forecast, gardening this week will be a pleasure. 

• Rainy days over the weekend will loosen up the soil so you can plant a couple more ornamental trees before the ground's too cold and uncooperative. I think we'll put in a cherry tree at my mom's house later in the week ...
• Prune hardy or deciduous trees, and flowering perennial vines like wisteria. 
• Continue planting spring-flowering bulbs. 
• Keep an eye on the weather, and be prepared to protect tender plants from frost. Temperatures this time of year, particularly here in NC, can really swing from one extreme to another. Whether the frost and freeze are in the winter or spring, protecting them follows the same concepts.
• Order your seeds for spring sowing. 
• And if you've already got a live Christmas tree in your house, keep it watered. 

Got any tips for December gardening?