December Gardening Calendar

Holiday Poinsettia

In 1975, a research study by the Ohio State University dispelled the myth; Poinsettia ARE not poisonous. The white sap may be irritating to the eyes. So go ahead and brighten up your home with Poinsettias. There are several wonderful hybrids to choose from today from dark red to white.

The Holiday Plants that you kept last year need to be placed in a dark room during the evening hours for the plants to bloom this holiday season. Christmas Cactus and Poinsettias are night dependent plants for them to bloom; these plants need so many hours of darkness to bloom. The cooler weather also helps in the blooming process. Remember this gardening ritual when it is time to turn back the clocks; it is time to give holiday plants total darkness until buds or bracts start forming. If you purchased new holiday plants, try to place them in the coolest areas of your home and not under room vents.

Have you planted cool weather annuals? If not, there is still time to plant. Are your pansies already planted? Now is the time to fertilize your pansies, violas, snapdragons, ornamental cabbage and kale.

For Southern gardeners that are in zones 9 or 10 there is still time to plant your spring flowering bulbs.

Rake your leaves from your lawn by doing so; you will not have dead spots in the grass next spring. The leaves make excellent compost for the landscape beds in the spring. Need A Composter? Gardener’s Supply Company has a fine selection of composter.

Tis the season to harvest holiday decorations from your garden, Holly, Nandina, Pyracantha berries and foliage make an excellent red holiday accent for table centerpieces and hearth mantels.

Attract birds to your garden with different types of bird feeders. Bird experts recommend a selection of bird feeders that hold wild birdseed, thistle seed, and some that have suet cake holders. Bird experts recommend attracting wild birds to use black oil sunflower seed; this will attract a larger variety of wild birds.

Need Horticulture Advice? Ask Cheryl@hibiscusandmore.com

Have you ever tried forcing Paperwhites for the holidays and the stems and blooms became leggy? Here is a link to an article about what to do to prevent the legginess from occurring. Click Here To Read More: http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/cultivation/growing-paperwhites?et_mid=525016&rid=2111517

House Plants that were brought indoors need a ¼ turn to prevent leaning towards the light. To prevent this, turn your house plants once a week. House plants do not need as much water during the winter months, water when the top one inch of the soil is dry. Another way to decide to water is if you had several days of cloudy weather check your plants on the normal day you usually check, if the soil feels wet wait a week. Houseplants do not need as much water during cloudy, winter months. General Rule less light = less water. Plants use more water with more daylight hours.

The Blogger, Cheryl Ann Meola, has several Links to share with you featuring her fine art plant photography and merchandise. Click on the links below.

For Gardening Books: Butterfly Gardening Click Here. is on Sale. House Plants Click Here.

Landscape Gardening Click Here.

Fine Art America Portfolio for Prints and Household Merchandise.

For Cheryl Ann Meola’s Shutterstock Stock Photography.

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Cheryl Ann Meola © 2023.

All photographs and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this newsletter are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated or copied.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays From Hibiscus and More.

Texas Certified Nursery Professional #1282

Tips for Winter Gardening in Your Garage

Image via Unsplash

Tips for Winter Gardening in Your Garage

Gardeners in colder climates often despair when the gardening season ends and the long winter moves in. If you have a garage, with the right equipment and knowledge, you can extend your gardening season through the winter. Here are some tips to help you out from Hibiscus and More.

Weatherproofing Your Garage to Regulate Temperatures

Garage doors and windows are not made to be weatherproof, and let in too much cold air for successful winter gardening. If you have a single garage, covering the door with heavy plastic sheeting is effective at keeping out cold air. If windows are in good shape, they can also be covered with plastic sheeting, but this is a good time to assess the need for window repair or replacement. Garage windows are usually smaller, so repair and replacement costs average around $300 per window. Costs vary based on your locality and whether you need simple window repair or a total window replacement. Generally, the cost is offset by grocery savings on fresh, organic food.

Assessing Growing Space

Most homeowners already have numerous things stored in the garage, so creating space for growing plants involves some organization. First, determine how much you want to grow and how you are going to grow it. With inexpensive shop light fixtures and utility shelving, you can grow micro- and mini-greens efficiently and quickly, harvesting a few crops over the winter. For larger plants, such as tomatoes, five-gallon buckets are sufficient and can be placed under an array of lights or single spotlight grow-lights. Spacing suggestions are found on the back of seed packages or online.

Choosing Lighting for Best Growth

Proper lighting is essential for healthy plants. There are several lighting options to choose from, but these two are the most commonly used and more suitable than more powerful solutions for small-space growing.

•             CFL bulbs. The cheapest and often most sensible solution is regular fluorescent bulbs in an inexpensive shop-light fixture. Because they don't produce much heat, they can be used on each shelf of a shelving unit without burning the plants. They are the best choice for growing seedlings and small plants such as micro- and mini-greens.

•             LED lights. LEDs are more expensive initially than CFLs but use less energy. Less expensive LED grow lights often do not produce good results. They are more effective and powerful than CFLs but may not produce the full spectrum of light for some plants.

Controlling Heat, Humidity, and Air Circulation

In colder climates, an uninsulated garage needs supplemental heat, despite putting ample plastic sheeting on the walls. Your heating system must maintain a temperature of 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. Using a propane or natural gas heater requires ventilation and the use of a carbon monoxide alarm system to prevent the gas from leaking into your home. Electric heat costs more but is ultimately safer. The best way to control humidity is with proper air circulation, which requires fans pointed in at least two directions to keep the air moving at all times.

Upgrades to Consider

There are several upgrades to consider that can not only make this space more functional for your green endeavors but also potentially add value to your home. First, consider installing proper insulation to maintain a consistent temperature, crucial for plant growth. Ventilation is another key aspect; installing an exhaust fan can help regulate humidity and air circulation. For watering convenience, you might also think about setting up a small sink or water source. Remember to document your work meticulously, as these enhancements can be appealing to future buyers who might appreciate a versatile, well-equipped garage space. Not only will these upgrades support your winter gardening, but they could also increase the overall appeal and value of your property.

Meeting the Challenge

While growing vegetables in a garage seems challenging, taking it step-by-step can create a successful outcome. With a little planning and effort, you can extend your growing season through the winter months!

For high-quality tropical botanicals and nature photography, visit Hibiscus and More today!

©Larry Waters 2023