December Landscaping Tips for San Diego
Landscaping Tips in December
December has arrived, with it comes cooler weather, longer nights, and holiday festivities. And while many of us will be spending time indoors with friends and family, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on the sky to ensure your landscape gets the water it needs. It’s also a good idea to protect plants from cold spells. Keep reading to learn more about December landscaping tips you can use today.
What To Do in Your Garden in December
Enjoy the joy of the winter season and your garden. Here's what you can do in your garden in December:
Continue Planting California Natives and Mediterranean Plants
It’s prime planting season in San Diego, so keep planting California natives; some good options include Woolly Blue Curls, Iris Douglasiana, and Shrubby Monkeyflower. You can also continue planting Mediterranean plants such as Agave, Blue Fescue, and Bougainvillea, and if you want to add privacy to your small yard, plant Italian Cypress.
Prepare for Winter Storms: Prune Trees
December is typically the windiest time of the year in San Diego County. If you live in an area where high winds are common, consider pruning your trees. Falling branches can destroy areas in your garden and be a safety hazard. If you have trees larger than 20’, hiring a certified arborist is wise.
Collect Rainwater
We don’t get much rain in San Diego, about 11 inches yearly. So, every drop counts. You can build a rain garden or save as much as possible in rain barrels. The City of San Diego offers rain barrel rebates, and you can also apply for rebates at SoCal WaterSmart Program.
Care for Poinsettias
Did you know that over 70 percent of poinsettias sold during the holidays originate from The Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas? It’s true. Poinsettias prefer indoor temperatures of 68 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your poinsettia in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight. Water them with the soil feels dry to the touch. You’ll want to avoid overwatering or letting it sit in standing water.
Other Tips for December Gardening in a San Diego
- Edge garden beds with a garden edger to keep your garden paths and beds looking neat.
- Add mulch and cover the soil with about 2 — 4 inches of organic mulch.
- Sow vegetables and fruits such as kale, leeks, chard, lettuce, mustards, peas, onions, radishes, parsley, and spinach.
- Continue pulling weeds and insulating your garden with mulch
- Consider adding flowers that attract beneficial insects and pollinators. Some good options are zinnia, wind poppies, violas, calendulas, cosmos, and larkspur
- Harvest vegetables: tomatoes, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.
Get a Living Christmas Tree
Why not buy a Christmas tree that will live on long after the holiday season? You can buy one at your local nursery, and some good options for landscapes in San Diego include white spruce, Aleppo pine, blue spruce, and other conifers with pyramidal shapes.
Experience Quality Service. The Difference...Is Growing
Westturf manages properties with little or no chemicals and are committed to water conservation and natural pruning—for sustainable communities. Call us at 760-650-3120 or message us online for a free quote.
As the year comes to a close, the team at Westturf Landscape wishes you a holiday season filled with joy and happiness.
Let's work together
Do you have a landscaping project in mind? is it time for a new HOA landscaping company? Westturf Landscape Management is ready to help. We offer a wide range of services, from synthetic turf installation to weed and brush clearance and complete landscape transformations. When it comes to quality, efficient landscaping services, we have you covered.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Westturf Landscape Management
701 Mercantile Street
Vista, CA 92083
Phone: 760.650.3120