What to do in the Garden in December

Maintenance/Clean up
Rake leaves to mulch flower or vegetable beds, adding extra layers over marginally tender plants.

·      Clearing weeds and mulch a few inches around tree trunks prevents rodent and rot problems.

·      Protect compost pile from heavy rains to save nutrients. Tarps or structures are great for this.

·      Hoe, pull, or thoroughly mulch winter weeds. 

·      Check stored bulbs, veggies, and fruit for rot. 

·      Protect newly planted trees from wind. Use tree chain, arbor tie, or even old bicycle inner-tubes to tie and/or windbreaks as needed.  Be sure to loosen them in spring to allow for more growth and movement.  The swaying of the trunk makes it grow stronger. Trees should never be tied in place longer than one year. 

·      Spread wood ashes thinly on vegetable garden.

Planting/Propagation-

·      Great time to plant trees and shrubs.

 Check that seeds are sealed up tightly and in a cool or cold area, though not freezing.

·      During heavy rains, watch for drainage problems in the yard. Ditching and French drains are possible short-term solutions. Consider rain gardens and bioswales as a longer-term solution and a fun excuse to landscape. 

Check out the Oregon Rain Garden Guide for plant choices and other ideas you can use in your own rain garden.  Once you click the link, look for the free pdf at the very bottom of the page -Oregon Rain Garden Guide

Winter Tips from EGC

Just another 24 days till the Solstice and the slow return of the sun!  Meanwhile – and for many weeks after, we’ll need some indoor cheer and tips for winter gardening. 

The Evening Garden Club welcomes newcomers to our annual Greens Party on Monday, December 4 from 6:30 p.m. on it will be held this year in the meeting room at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 2650 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis - corner of Walnut & Highland Dr.  We craft wreaths and swags from a shared supply of greens and other materials from our gardens.  You can learn to do it from our members!

Bring clippers, gloves, wreath form and wire, or container, and whatever you can cull from your property to use and share.    

Winter Tips from EGC

Wear latex gloves under your gardening gloves to keep hands dry.

Use wrist warmers

Wrap your frost tender plants in burlap – here’s New Zealand Flax

Feed the birds! Attracting birds to your garden will help it all year round.  Here’s a recipe for suet they will love!

3 cups cornmeal

3 cups oatmeal

1 ½  cups flour

1 ½ cups lard (Winco has it)

1 ½  cups peanut butter  (Fred Meyer brand is thinner and easier to stir…)

 Melt peanut butter & lard in microwave. Stir in the rest.  Put in a 13x9 inch pan to harden in freezer or fridge.  Cut to size for your suet holder and store in a plastic bag in fridge.

Try a conical or cylindrical squirrel baffle on the bird feeder to keep out rats.