Sally Scalera: Enjoy yard work during December; here's what to do
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Fall weather has arrived, and if you can find the time during this busy month, the weather should be great for working outside. Here are some ideas of things to do in your yard while enjoying the comfortable temperatures.
Brevard Discovery Garden December plant sale
Mark your calendar on Saturday, Dec. 5, for the next Brevard Discovery Garden plant sale and an opportunity to stroll through the Brevard Discovery Garden.
While plant sale and garden openings usually are held on Fridays, this one will be on a Saturday so residents who work can make it also. We have multiple lettuce varieties, arugula, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, peppers and a few others, plus holiday containers with herb combinations for holiday/hostess /teacher/gardener gifts.
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Our native Stokes Asters will be small but available, as will blanket flower and black-eyed Susan. We also have Florida-friendly combination pots with cat whiskers, pollinator mixes, and cranberry hibiscus.
For all succulent plant enthusiasts, we have a large selection of plants growing in cute containers if you’re in need of a Christmas gift. The sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and only cash or checks will be accepted.
Cool weather simplifies Florida lawn care
Lawn care is simplified now with the shorter days and cooler temperatures, so enjoy.
Just mow it every other week (if for no other reason than to keep the weeds from setting seeds), and water, at the most, once a week. Don’t fertilize now, because the grass isn’t actively growing and won’t absorb the nutrients, which can lead to the nutrients leaching into the nearest waterbody.
Don’t be alarmed if your grass turns a lighter green (or yellowish) and brown is visible near the soil. This is due to the shorter day lengths.
Prune deciduous and fruit trees this month
If needed, deciduous trees and shrubs can be pruned after they have shed all their leaves. For more information on pruning trees and shrubs, check out our bulletin at this link hort.ifas.ufl.edu. Search for "pruning landscape trees."
If you are growing temperate fruit crops such as grapes, peaches, apples, blueberries, figs, etc., refer to our Fruitscapes website at trec.ifas.ufl.edu for more detailed information on their specific pruning requirements.
Flowers to plant in December
Flowers that can be planted in December include alyssum, calendula, dianthus, pansy, snapdragon, viola, stock, petunia, sweet peas (these vines are very fragrant), delphinium and ornamental kale.
Herbs to plant in December
Herbs that can be planted this month include garlic chives, chives, lemon grass (plant this in a large container), parsley, rosemary, Mexican tarragon, fennel, mint, thyme, Greek oregano, lavenders, chervil (a winter annual with an anise flavor) and sage.
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Feed your edible plants with seaweed
Don’t forget to foliar “feed” your vegetable plants, citrus, mango, avocado and other fruit trees with a liquid seaweed solution. If there are a lot of leaves that have both green and yellow tissue, use a citrus nutritional spray to supply a higher concentration of trace elements to correct the nutritional deficiency more quickly.
No matter which one you use, spray a fine mist and coat both sides of the leaves. Spray liquid seaweed weekly, if there are no signs of deficiencies, on vegetable plants and fruit producing trees, shrubs and vines.
Vegetables to plant in December
Vegetables that can be planted in December include arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive/escarole, Irish potatoes, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onions (green and shallots), English or snow peas, radish, spinach, Swiss chard and turnips.
Vegetables to sow for transplanting later
Vegetable seeds that can be sown in December for transplanting in January include arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupes, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, cucumbers, eggplant, endive/escarole, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, English or snow peas, peppers, spinach, squash, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips and watermelon.
Inoculate peas for stronger plants
When planting peas in the garden, be sure to inoculate them with the beneficial bacteria Rhizobium spp. (i.e., Guard-N, Nature’s Aid, Bean & Pea Booster, etc.) The bacteria form a symbiotic relationship with the plants and live-in nodules in the roots. They fix atmospheric nitrogen for the plant, so inoculated legumes don’t require any nitrogen fertilizer.
Fresh produce available now at farmers markets
Are you interested in finding some fresh produce at a farmer’s market? Here's what could be available this month: cucumbers, grapefruit, lettuce, kale, oranges, peppers, snap beans, squash, sweet corn, tangerines and tomatoes.
Check out the Brevard County Farmers Market every from 3-6 p.m. Thursdays at the Wickham Park Pavilion (and check out their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information). The farmers market at the Titusville Welcome Center, 410 S. Hopkins Ave., is from 3-6 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of every month.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping class set for March
Start making plans now for the next Florida-Friendly Landscaping class series, which starts March 29.
The series runs from 9 a.m. to noon for eight Tuesdays (skipping April 5) and costs $75.
In this class, you will learn how to grow healthy plants and nutritious food, all while protecting water quality.
Topics to be covered include All About Botany & Our Dirt Needs Life, Florida-Friendly Principles and Attracting Wildlife, Hands-on Gardening and an Introduction to Landscape Design, All About Palms and Lawn Care, All About Trees and Native Plant Walk, Edible Gardening and Growing Plants in Containers, Integrated Pest Management and Plant Diseases, Pesticide Safety and Synthesis.
Registration can be found at 2022fflclassseries.eventbrite.com. There are tickets for either in-person learning or via Zoom.
Sally Scalera is an urban horticulture agent and master gardener coordinator for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences. Email sasc@ufl.edu.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Here's what to do in your Brevard yard during December's mild weather