December is often a busy month full of holiday traditions and visiting with friends and family. Luckily, your gardening to-dos for December are simple:

1. Make a list of the gardening supplies and seeds you have. Start a new list of tools or seeds you’ll want for the spring. You can continue adding to this list throughout the winter.
2. Trim evergreen branches and bring pieces indoors as part of your holiday decorations. Try using them to make a wreath or a garland to go along a stairwell.
3. Finish cleaning your beds of withered perennials, leaves or other garden debris to prevent diseases and pests from overwintering.
4. Store and eat the vegetables and fruits you’ve been growing all year. If you still want to contribute fresh seasoning to your cooking, try bringing herbs indoors such as rosemary, sweet bay, marjoram and lemon verbena.
5. If you brought plants indoors, check them for bugs. Insects can multiply quickly once inside your home’s warm environment.
6. Wipe off the leaves of any houseplants to prevent buildup of dirt and dust which make it harder for your plants to breathe.

December is an ideal month to accomplish small tasks around your yard. Use this time to reflect on what you liked about your garden and what you hope to change next spring.

Happy holidays!

- Scott