By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

Gardening During The Holiday Season

It’s almost a given that as December arrives our thoughts turn from rich fragrant soil and lush green gardens to the things that make the holidays such a wonderful time; indoor things like holiday cooking, visiting family and Christmas shopping.

Fortunately for gardeners, there are always plenty of garden-related activities that require attention through which we can maintain our link to the earth, our garden and the outdoors in general.

December in Moapa Valley is a good time to attack those unwanted plants (weeds) that make our lives so miserable in warmer times of the year. That verdant green crop of “whatever” that has sprouted in the gravel, the cracks in the sidewalk or some other area you would prefer left bare, is probably weeds. Now is an excellent time to pull, spray or dig them out.

In the winter garden, there are always weeds that need pulling around cold-hardy vegetables. Now is also a good time to insulate your strawberries to protect from cycles of freezing and thawing.

Clean up any fallen leaves and old fruit under trees, add it all to the compost pile, water lightly and mix well. It’s a recipe for success that will help you in six to 10 months.

It’s a good idea to protect clay and cement pots and statues from freezing temperatures. Yes we do freeze in some areas in Moapa Valley every year. Some spots probably experienced their first winter freeze last week when the cold front blew through. We also occasionally get hard or killing freezes, temperatures below 26 degrees for four hours or more, so always keep an eye and an ear to the weather so you can protect your winter garden if a damaging cold snap is expected.

In December you can still plant bare-root and deciduous trees. Newly established and other young trees should be watered now, but DO NOT fertilize. Also, wait for another month or so before pruning.

If you’re considering a live Christmas tree this year, take a good look around now for a possible planting site. Remember, the tree you’re putting in the ground this year is not the tree you’ll have next year, or the next year, or the next year, so plan accordingly.

When you purchase a tree, ask the seller or check online or at the library about the ultimate size and shape. A four-foot Aleppo Pine that fits tidily in your living room corner for Christmas 2011 may eventually be 50 feet tall when planted outdoors.

Mary Irish in Gardening in the Deserts of Nevada recommends other excellent live Christmas tree choices including:

• Afghan pines that can flourish in the warmest parts of our region. They will quickly grow to 40 feet.

• Arizona cypress, which will grow everywhere in Moapa Valley. Expect them eventually to hit 40 feet.

• Italian stone pines, which do well in warmer spots of the valley, are extremely slow growers but fill out nicely and will top out at more than 40 feet.

As long as the tree is in the house, water whenever the top soil is dry. Keep it away from extreme heat sources like vents or fireplaces and after the holidays get it outdoors and wash it off.

If you use a standard chopped Christmas tree its limbs can be cut off and spread over the winter garden as mulch. They’ll help protect the plants and offer a terrific winter fragrance. (Yes, if you put them in the garden, you’ll have to remove them sooner or later.)

Comments and suggestions for the Garden Spot are always welcome. It appears the first and third Wednesday’s of the month. Email ideas, observations or questions to mouse@mvdsl.com.