Most garden centers have bulbs at 50% off. They will still grow. The ground stays warm a long time. To garden hole, scratch In phosphorus and water well. I usually pile leaves or pine needles over for a few weeks to give roots time to grow. Daffodils will not be bothered by rodents or squirrels; but minor bulbs will. When roots have formed, In about five weeks, I uncover them and let the ground freeze. That way, they will be safe from critters. Mulch Is not necessary for bulbs once established.
Recently, I was given some potted azaleas (Girard strain – very hardy). This is mid-December but the ground is not frozen. I dug a hole, amended the soil with peat moss, and planted them. Azaleas (and rhodys) should not be planted too deep. Leave an Inch of the root ball out of the ground. The earth freezes from the top down so It Is quite warm still. In the Spring it thaws from the top down. That is one of the reasons hardwood cuttings are burled topside down. It gives roots more time to form. After planting the azaleas and watering them as well, I mulched them very heavily with chopped up leaves. It should keep the soil war long enough for roots to start up. It Is worth trying because, left in the pot, they would probably die. It is fun to try to stretch he seasons.
Birds benefit from perennial plant seeds left untouched _
In January, when the ground has frozen solid, you can use old Christmas trees to put on flower beds. The purpose is to keep the ground frozen – not warm. This helps eliminate frost heaving to expose roots
February Is a good time to cut down old stalks and dispose of them. Never put peony stalks In a compost pile – they harbor botrytis.
Pick out all the catalogs you want – then go back and pick out what you can afford I Now’s the time to plan next Spring’s garden. A Winter garden can be as attractive as a Summer garden. Grasses, evergreens, and landscaping all make for a great Winter garden. Remember, It only has to please YOU!
