The Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Inc. (DCMGA), a division of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, has released its Garden Task List for December, which includes pruning, protecting, watering, mulching and yes, even planting.
The DCMGA’s to-dos for this month include:
- Plant shade trees, fruit trees, and evergreen shrubs as well as pansies, flowering kale and cabbage, dianthus, cyclamen, violas and other cool season annuals.
- Prune evergreen trees such as magnolias, live oaks and wax myrtles to minimize possible ice damage if needed. Do major re-shaping of shade trees, if needed, during the winter dormancy.
- Water thoroughly before a hard freeze to reduce chances of plant damage; in general, water lawn and all other plants once every three weeks or so, if supplemental rainfall is less than one inch in a three-week period. Switch sprinkler systems to “Manual” mode for the balance of winter.
Complete task list: www.dallascountymastergardeners.org
