December in the Natural Garden

The last month of our calendar year is the first month of our calendar winter, at least as touching the timeline for native plants. Fall 2024 (October and November) came and went, and concerning temperature and rainfall, it seemed more an extension of summer than a precursor to winter. December is too early to predict a seasonal rainfall total, but since we are starting so dry, in regards to this month’s garden tasks, we should probably plan for a dry year. There is no rain in sight on the long term forecast for the remainder of the year. Just beautiful sunny days, enviable for the rest of the country, and impossible for us, without imported water.

Current events, history, review, and notes

In case you want to lay odds or place bets on this year’s rain, here are some stats from the recent past (rainfall in inches):

Watering

Unfortunately we do not have the typical 1 – 3 inches of rain in the gauge to date, which means we do not have moist (garden) soil at a depth of 6 – 14 inches, which means our young plants are stressed and our established plants are getting a little thirsty, which means we have to water. In a good year, we would have already put our plans for irrigation on hold until April/May, but not this year, so far anyway. A December “Deep Soak” is in order. This would be one of those rare irrigation events to supply water as a substitute for rain during an extended dry spell in winter.

Related to Watering, DS+RS Method

Deep Soak (DS) means applying the equivalent of 1-2 inches precipitation, slow and steady so that it all soaks into the soil. Usually it’s best done on 2 or 3 consecutive days in order to obtain the desired total with no runoff. Early mornings are best. Run the sprinklers around 20 – 30 minutes each day. Typical intervals would be every 3-4 weeks in summer and as needed during winter dry spells. Hopefully we get some rain soon and your next DS will be in April or May. We’ll see.

Refreshing Sprinkles (RS) means applying water to the leaves and soil surface, with no water penetrating to root depth. The purpose is to wash the leaves and cool the entire garden, including the soil surface. RS are super effective in summer because they replenish moisture lost every day as plants cool themselves, (transpiration). In winter, plants transpire less, but an occasional RS will be much appreciated, because the plants are tuned in to cool season rain and since they ain’t feelin’ it, ‘cause there ain’t been no rain so far, so far, there ain’t been no rain so far. The leaves are a bit parched, and giving them the next best thing to rain will help; stand there with a hose-end spray nozzle and sprinkle the whole place for around 5 minutes. Do it in the afternoon, but early enough so everything will be dry before nightfall. Typical intervals would be a couple times a week until the rains arrive (if).

Pruning

It is not too late to do remedial thinning, artful shaping, and general clean-up style pruning, though these tasks should have been done in October. For more detail, see the “Pruning” section in the previous October and November installments of this newsletter.

Weeding

As a result of our short days, cooler weather and the resultant cold soils, weeds are fewer and less a threat. If you sowed wildflower seed in fall, and have been watering, the seedlings are up and by “weeding” the garden right now you might negatively affect the spring bloom. Be careful which little “weeds” you pull.

Mulching / Top Dress

It bears repeating that the best organic top dress consists of the “leaf litter” that accumulates under native plants as old leaves are continuously being replaced by new ones. If you desire to import an organic mulch from an outside source, the cool season is the best time. Choose a clean, weed-free, chunky organic mulch (1/2” bark chips) and apply it 1-2 inches thick, taking care to not let it mound up around the plant’s base. 

For refreshing or applying a mineral mulch (i.e.: DG, gravel aggregates, pebbles, etc.), winter is a good time. One inch is plenty, and as with organic top dress, keep it away from the plant’s main stem.

The natural top dress (leaf litter) under deciduous trees like sycamore cools the soil, preserves moisture, discourages weeds, and adds natural beauty. Much more attractive than imported “mulch.”

Feeding

Fall is the best time to apply organic fertilizer to the natural garden. If you missed that window, you should wait until March, as the soils now are too cool for the plant food to be of much effect. 

Troubleshooting – Varmints, Pests and Diseases

One effect of this rainless winter period will be the appearance of injurious plant pests, insects such as aphid, leaf hopper, mealybug, and scale, that might take advantage of stressed plants and dry conditions. Be on the lookout. Also, with less forage in the wild places, bunnies might be attracted to your garden for their sustenance, especially browsing on grasses, bulbs and wildflower seedlings. I’ll leave control measures up to you, but if the owls and hawks are falling behind on gopher or rabbit control, the “Elmer Fudd” method comes to mind: Be vewy vewy quiet I’m hunting wabbits!! 😂

Annual Wildflowers

Well, if you didn’t get around to sowing native seeds in fall, at least this year you didn’t miss the early rains for germination! However you did miss a few weeks of growth (assuming you had watered), but that’s OK, December is still a good time. Come on in or order online to assure fantastic (or at least mediocre) spring wildflowers. A little rain would be nice. We have several time tested seed mixes for you.

Adding New Plants

Despite the unusually dry year, the cool season is the best time for planting new plants. Since you will be watering to get them established, we recommend you get them in as soon as possible. We have a beautiful and diverse inventory to choose from. Come on in, and check out Casa La Paz for unique Christmas gifts as well.

My Patio Re-wild

Our potting station is really taking shape to accommodate this new, on-going program. You can buy a pot or bring your own. We have plants, attractive rocks, sticks, branches, potting soil, and appropriate topdress materials for you to make your own little My Patio Re-wild planters.  By the way, these miniature ecosystems make great gifts. More on the source of the very unique rocks to follow in future newsletters.

Phytophilia

Our love of plants and their love for us. When I look and listen over the natural landscape or into a natural garden this month, I see and hear the words “Solar Power.” Winter’s light seems magical some days, especially when thin clouds float high above to diffuse it, causing shadows to be blurred like the indefinite edges that mark the last waves lapping onto coarse sand. Plants growing in the shade of trees like black oak, cottonwood, willow, and walnut are seeing the sun for the first time in a long time. Sycamore however has not lost its leaves yet, so plants in its understory are still waiting for winter’s bright light. Meanwhile, the full-sun plants like toyon and manzanita (think chaparral) are enjoying a little rest, with long nights giving hours of inactivity to previously overworked leaves. Dense evergreens like redwood provide deep shade, especially with the sun’s low arc in the sky. Under them, it can’t get any darker. The ground is mostly bare in these situations, but the thick cushion of fallen leaves is uniquely attractive and functional. Even when solar potential is at its lowest, plants know to take advantage and receive maximum benefit.

Redwood Camp at Tree of Life Nursery. It’s the winter-dark understory that the fairies like best.

The sun is low, the shadows stretched, the nights are long, and plants are adapting to winter.

Re-wild

Sometimes, the simplest critters stop by to say thank you. If we watch carefully, we’ll see that every time we work in our Re-wild gardens, a hummingbird, or butterfly, a flitting bird, lizard, or tiny beneficial pollinator will make an appearance, basically (methinks) to express their gratitude. They know. They are aware of their places, and ours, in these gardens. Theirs is to dwell in or occasionally visit, ours is to create and care for, as well as enjoy. Perhaps they are somehow cognizant of their additional role in helping us heal and stay well, merely by showing up on time, allowing themselves to be seen. Or is it just me that thinks this. Probably they are just going about their daily activities, but who can know? Anyway critter, you’re welcome, and thank you too.

Important Review

So dry so far

So dry spell so water now

So pruning still OK

Don’t yank the wildflower seedlings
Too cold for organic fert

Pests gain an advantage

Sow seeds and water them

Plant plants and water them

Patio habitat DIY

Solar Power in winter’s light

Engage

As this calendar year draws to a close, I hope your recollections of time spent over the last 12 months, performing simple garden chores, or moments of pause to observe and absorb nature’s beauty, are sweet and personal. These newsletters are not meant to be onerous checklists of work to be done, rather subtle prompts for timely activity in your garden and inspiration for occasional jaunts into wild places. 

Nature seems to move at a slower pace in winter, a time of stillness and rest. Longer dark times, more opportunities for self reflection, colder mornings, and maybe a fire to warm you in the wee hours before pre-dawn (pre-pre-dawn?) when silence, tranquility, calm, peace, and quiet can work their healing touch into you. Winter is a time for restoration, but you have to make time.

The world of holiday rush, marketing fever, approaching deadlines (yes, dead-lines), and incessant noise will be sending a different message. We are bombarded with announcements and advertising for stuff we’re supposed to do, or supposed to have, or supposed to get for someone, and if we do not, something must be severely wrong with us. It takes a little effort to resist…  “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Roman 12:2 

I find that in proving my intentions towards the “renewing of my mind,” my visits to natural places and natural gardens are helpful. And if the scripture means anything, who doesn’t want to know what God’s perfect will for their life might be? I’m reminded of an old hymn called “I Come to the Garden Alone.”

I will enjoy many aspects of the holiday hustle and bustle, the parties and gatherings with family and friends, the lights, decorations, song, laughter, and meaning of the season, but I hope to do so with a profound peace in my heart. To accomplish this, I must schedule getaways for refreshment in nature, at times alone, at others with company. 

Maybe you’re good at planning and pulling off these “slow-down and smell the roses” outings, so why not invite someone who really needs it, someone who is helplessly caught up in the devastating pattern of seasonal hurry, and call it your gift to them. They will thank you. 

White sage, incense cedar, four-leaf piñon (cones and branches), sequoia big-tree (cones), tin roses, base ring made of desert grape branches, twined into shape. 

Incense cedar, California juniper, toyon berries, sugarbush flowers, California bay, four-leaf piñon, sierra juniper, coast redwood, base ring made of desert grape branches, twined into shape.

Let’s keep makin’ it.

From all of us at Tree of Life, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!!!

All wreaths made by Hilda Evans

Text and all photographs by Mike Evans unless noted otherwise.

From DECEMBER  in the Natural Garden,

Mike Evans