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December Gardening In The Low Desert 1999

© Pat Kolb

The holiday season is here and whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or some other holiday this month, this is a special time for families and friends. One of the things most of us enjoy is decorating our houses and yards. There are many natural things in our gardens which are suitable for decorating, such as evergreen cuttings, grasses, fruit, grapevines, pine cones, dried flowers, twigs and branches, and even dried stalks of things like corn, sunflowers, etc. Spray paints and bows, candles and ornaments can be added - a little imagination required. Try tabletop trees made from foam craft cones with cinnamon sticks for a trunk and covered with leaves such as eucalyptus , citrus, magnolia or trimmings from your Christmas tree, held on with florists pins - anchored in a little plaster of paris. Wreaths are easy when you buy pre-formed ones and simply decorate them. The grapevine wreath forms are especially easy for tying or hot gluing. If you are fortunate to have an evergreen outside to decorate, the possibilities are unlimited.

Garden decorations, tools, and supplies make welcome gifts for those gardeners on your gift list. Some unusual things are gazing globes - which are sold in many discount stores now - animals and figures of all kinds cast in concrete or pottery, birdbaths and feeders, various trellises made of wood or wrought iron, and the very attractive sprinklers which look like pieces of sculpture and are usually hand made. Fountains are popular now and there are many unusual things to give those who have ponds, including glass balls to float, water plants and small turtles and other figures to 'live' around the edge. Consider giving an assortment of herbs or seeds or a selection of hand tools to gardeners on your list. For gardeners with limited physical abilities, there is a growing selection of 'helper' tools such a hand tools with large, easily gripped handles.

Most of us buy or receive as gifts, lovely houseplants of all kinds - the most famous of which is the poinsettia - so many colors of them have been developed. Keep them in a well-lit room and avoid drafts and excess heat. A temperature range of 60 - 72 F is best. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch and discard water which seeps into the saucer. Keep these plants away from pets and children as they are toxic. Those gift plants rated as easy to rebloom include: African Violets - place plants in an east-facing window or under grow lights and keep soil evenly moist and humidity high, perhaps by setting pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Avoid over-watering and prevent exposure to drafts. Holiday Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii or S. truncata) - place where it will have a half-day of bright, indirect sunlight or curtain-filtered direct window light. Keep soil moist and provide high humidity. Those plants rated as moderately easy to rebloom are cyclamen, gardenias, amaryllis, and azalea. Those rated difficult are poinsettia and kalanchoe. All these plants need good light and careful watering - adequate water but not standing in water.

The copyright of the article December Gardening In The Low Desert 1999 in Desert Gardening is owned by Pat Kolb. Permission to republish December Gardening In The Low Desert 1999 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.