December is the month to enjoy your winter garden, a warm cup of tea, and the new seed catalogs that grace your mailbox among the many holiday cards and catalogs.
Onion, Leek, Shallot, Chives - Flowers are edible too!
Consider starting members of the onion (Allium) family
like chives, leeks, onions, scallions
or members of the rose family
like alpine strawberries
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| Alpine Strawberry |
indoors with added light and heat so they will be ready to plant outside in early spring.
Or maybe you decide to start some slower-growing annuals like
geraniums, snapdragons, yarrow, or violas
to transplant under a cloche in late March. Get creative with this - antique or reproduction glasswork cloches are beautiful, but clear plastic bins are economical and readily available.
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| Hardy geraniums |
Invite Wildlife into your Garden
Provide water not only for birds, but also for predatory insects. A shallow bowl with rocks in it helps both birds and insects get a sip. In the winter, check the water every morning and thaw it out with warm water if it freezes.
Provide shelter for wildlife. Bird houses are lovely, but a rotten log, stump, or snag can be a home for birds and insects, too. Don’t clean everything out of your garden over the winter; a bit of grass, a pile of rocks can be a home for insects.
Provide habitat. Plant natives in your garden along with vegetables, herbs, and flowers. This provides a habitat for both birds and insects. As a bonus, the birds help you out in summer by eating pest insects.
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