December is the time to begin enjoying your home-grown citrus. (Photo: USDA)

Tasks

• Apply pre-emergent herbicide to lawns and beds later this month
• Deep-water trees and native plants if rainfall has been light

Pruning

• This is the time to work on dormant, deciduous plants - shrubs, vines, grapes, and roses, plus fruit and nut trees
• Crepe myrtles and redbuds may be pruned now
• Cut back and divide perennials

Fertilizing

• No fertilization is recommended this month
• When you do fertilize, always read labels carefully before application. Consult a plant expert at a nursery or a Master Gardener if you have questions

Planting

• This is the beginning of bare-root planting season. It is difficult to visualize the potential of bare-root plants, but they usually come with pictures to give you an idea
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: canna and crocosmia
• Fruits and vegetables: asparagus, cabbage, and bare-root berries
• Trees, shrubs, vines: azalea and camellia

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: snapdragon (Antirrhinum), calendula, and Chrysanthemum Paludosum, Holiday cactus (Schlumbergera)
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: crocus and cyclamen
• Fruits and vegetables: beets, bok choy, chives, and mandarin oranges

Things to ponder

• This is a good time to look through seed catalogs
• Wood ashes are not beneficial in the garden as they increase soil alkalinity