While many plants may slow their growth during winter, there are still several essential tasks to tackle during this season.
Tackle Weeds Early
With the arrival of winter rains, you may notice various “weeds” emerging. Take the initiative to remove them before they grow larger and more challenging to pull. Pay special attention to stinknet weed; if left to flourish, one plant can lead to hundreds in the following year, as they are quite invasive.
Care for Desert Roses
Most Desert Roses (Adenium) should have shed their leaves by now. Cease watering and relocate them to a warm, cozy spot for the winter. Ensure they remain dry, as they do not thrive in cold, damp conditions.
Prepare for Frost
Despite a mild winter thus far, keep your frost cloth handy since we still have a few months left in the season, and unexpected freeze events can occur. Protect frost-sensitive plants like Bougainvillea, Yellow Bells, and flowering aloes with frost cloth. Blankets can be used as an alternative, but remember to remove them daily. The advantage of frost cloth is that it can remain on the plants for several days without needing to be taken off. Ensure that frost cloth and/or blankets make contact with the soil, and use soil pins or heavy rocks to secure the blankets or frost cloth in place.
Planting Opportunities
You can still sow vegetable seeds during December, including beets, bok choy, cabbage, carrots, chard, endive, kale and lettuce. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, and if you’re planting transplants, water them immediately after planting. Additionally, many herbs can be started from seed, including cilantro, epazote, borage, dill, parsley and more.
Succulent Color Changes
It’s normal for many succulents to exhibit a purplish hue when temperatures drop. This is a common response to the cold, and they will revert to their usual green color as the weather warms up.
Indoor Plant Care
For those gardening indoors with houseplants, be mindful to space out your watering. Houseplants tend to slow down during winter, even indoors, so they won’t require frequent watering. Water every two weeks or less, or only when the top two to three inches of soil are dry.
Christmas Cactus Care
If you are nurturing a Christmas cactus and wish to prolong its blooming period, remember to fertilize it every two weeks with a diluted, high-phosphorus fertilizer.
