Hope

December 2014

 

Pickaway to Garden

 

Hope

 

By Paul J. Hang

 

December is upon us, even though it seems it came last month. The bitter cold and snow we have experienced usually comes much later. The cold weather caught me by surprise. I had barely dug up the bulbs of canna and calla lilies, the dahlias and begonias, spread them out on the garage floor to dry, when below freezing temperatures hit. Will the chill affect them? I am hoping they will survive once I pack them up for their long winters nap.

 

For me December means one thing, aside from the holidays, the winter solstice. Just when everything is slowing down, the days getting shorter the nights longer, the garden is sleeping, nature having gone to seed, bulb, root, bud and egg, we have hope. OK, granted it isn’t obvious but to those of us who try to look beyond the obvious, those who pay attention to the stars (not those who dance on TV) December is a time of hope. It brings the first day of winter but before it is over it turns the corner and begins the long slog towards spring, all in one month.

 

Our closest star the sun, having seemingly traveled as far south as it usually does, will, on December 21 at 11:03pm, appear to stop and then begin its journey north and with it bring spring. It has always happened in the past and we feel pretty certain it will again. It’s the nature of experience that that which has always repeated itself seems like it will continue to repeat itself in the future. But that seeming certainty is something we contribute; it’s not inherent in our experience. Admittedly it doesn’t keep me up at night. I am pretty sure spring will arrive again, it always has.

 

Most of our holidays coincide with seasonal events. Our modern life has worked to disconnect us from these seasonal events. Central heating and AC, heated vehicles, warm clothing, working more indoors than out, all these have conspired to remove us from the weather and its effects. The change of seasons seems inevitable and it’s comforting to think we can count on them. In reality things are not as certain as they seem. So as the sun retreats imagine what it would mean if it didn’t return. Imagine the relief and joy once you realized it was on its way back. That’s December, a month of hope.

 

December seems to begin with clearing the table and doing the dishes from Thanksgiving, and then shopping and decorating, then opening presents and then we all yell “Happy New Year!” And it’s all over. What a month. I hope your holidays are happy ones. Turn on the lights and turn up the thermostat.

 

 

 

 

Things to do in the garden:

 

Thankfully, there are not too many things to do IN the garden as much as there are things to do ABOUT the garden. This holiday season think about gardening gifts.

 

If you haven’t already, clean up crop debris and crop residue. Shred it and put in the compost heap or till and turn it over to bury in the soil. Get the garden ready for spring planting as much as possible.

 

On nice days wander about your place and notice how some plants continue to develop. If the local temperature reaches 50 degrees they grow, only to cease when the temperature falls. Those bitter cress weeds are small now. I find them in between the bricks of my walk. They and ground ivy in the beds and in the lawn are trying to gain a foothold now while they have little competition. The bi-ennial mullein with its fuzzy lamb's ear like leaves is growing flat against the earth. Rosettes of poison hemlock and teasel continue to grow. Pull them up while you have the chance or spray with an herbicide according to the directions on the label. Get them before the weather turns warm and they turn tougher.

 

While wandering about the garden take notes about the things you might change come spring, moving plants, changing bed contours, rotating vegetables. We all think we will remember, but we don’t.

 

Once the ground has frozen hard and deep, mulch the perennials to prevent heaving. This freezing may not happen this month. If the ground remains open it’s still not too late to plant lilies, tulips and daffodils. You may find some bargains. Avoid the soft and shriveled ones.

 

Check houseplants for insects. Move clay pots inside to prevent breaking.

Wrap young tree trunks with hardware cloth or the plastic wrap made for that purpose. Protect them from ground level to about 18 inches.  This also goes for newly planted shrubs. Place fencing around them. This prevents mice, voles and rabbits from using the bark as lunch. If they girdle the plants, no matter how big or woody they are, the plants will die. While you’re inspecting trees and shrubs a little light pruning while they are dormant won’t hurt. Damaged, rubbing or simply inconvenient small branches can be removed. Never top trees in any season.