EDDIE SEAGLE: Take some time to linger longer

“On the twelfth day of Christmas my loving family sent to me: 12 KnockOut Roses, 11 Kurume Azaleas, 10 Flowering Quince, 9 Yellow Ginkgos, 8 Lacebark Elms, 7 Flowering Dogwoods, 6 Fragrant Gardenias, 5 Crepe Myrtles, 4 Southern Magnolias, 3 Pink Camellias, 2 Japanese Maples, and a Mister Lincoln Rose in a Vase.”

— Eddie Seagle

December is more than half gone, Christmas is only a week away, friends and families are celebrating Christ’s birthday and togetherness in the spirit of the season, the NCAA bowl games have started, basketball is in the air, the official winter season is only three days away, and cold weather has given us a sample of what might be to come. WOW! What a December to remember!

We are in the midst of another Christmas season with only a few shopping days remaining. Those last-second purchases, along with the hurriedness and stress involved, can take its toll on any person. You just might need to step out of the flow of the shopping traffic and take some time to linger longer at home. Find some space, relax and simply enjoy a peaceful moment. Focus on the real reason for the season. Refuel and re-energize, then proceed with your plans with all the passion that you can generate.

As you collect your thoughts and begin to plan your during- and after-Christmas schedule, think about your outdoor surrounds. Think about what you would like to do in your yardscape. Soon the decorative lights of December will be retired for yet another season and the new year will be greeting us as we turn our attention to chores and activities surrounded by post-holiday stress.

The days following the Christmas season can be very promising or they can be very stressful, intimidating, boring and sad. You get to decide how you want these days (late December and early January) to be. Be passionate in your decision. As you continue to enjoy the cooler weather and search for things to do, reserve some time to think about spring planning.

Late December and early January is the time for planning your landscape activities for the late winter and spring. Research your plant, flower and seed information online for those items that attract your attention and can thrive in this area. Think in terms of native plants and sustainability strategies. Give some thought to how you plan to make design changes in your landscape and place these thoughts on paper.

Check the operating status of all your power equipment and tools to ensure their readiness for the coming spring. Your current landscape checklist should include the following items.

Azaleas: If you have to prune your azaleas each year to control their size, consider transplanting them to less restricted areas. By moving the shrubs away from the foundation of the house or back away from a walkway or passageway, they can grow into a more natural form and will require less maintenance. Remember that the proper pruning time for azaleas is after blooming and before bud set for the next season.

If you are planting new plants, space them according to their average height and spread. Avoid a hodgepodge of colors and make an effort to group plants of a single color for greater emphasis and more effective color depth. Arrange color groups in a design that offers complimentary qualities, greater accent to the site, effective emphasis and color contrast without developing smorgasbord results.

Bulbs: January is the last call for planting crocus, hyacinths, Dutch iris and daffodils. Those bulbs that you are now planting should have completed a pre-cooling time frame of six to eight weeks for best results.

Camellias: To reduce the incidence of camellia petal blight, keep faded flowers removed and rake fallen blossoms away from the plants and properly dispose. While plants are in bloom, water regularly. If scale insects are detected on the underside of the leaves, spray with a recommended insecticide. Always read label directions before any purchase or application.

Herbs: It is not too early to think about an herb garden. Decide which plants you want to grow this spring, and start the seeds in pots or flats, or simply buy seedlings at a later time. Among the easiest to grow from seeds are basil, caraway, dill, lavender, parsley, summer savory and thyme. A sunny window is an excellent location for your flats. Plants started now will be ready for transplanting outdoors in March and April.

Pansies: Established beds of pansies will benefit from application of complete fertilizer. Apply a 5-10-10 or similar fertilizer at a rate of ½ cup per square yard of planting bed. Make any placement and arrangement changes ensuring that the plants are being established on 4-inch centers.

Planting: When planting ornamental trees and shrubs this winter, remember that soil preparation can mean the difference between success and failure. Dig large planting holes at least twice as wide and 1½ times in depth as the planting ball or root stock. Keep watered during this season, especially on days when stress potential is increased.

Shade Gardening: When choosing a location for new shrubs and trees, consider that a current sunny spot in the garden may be an area of deep shade later in the season. The sun’s path changes and deciduous trees leaf out, which impact the amount of light received at a given spot or location. However, many ornamentals like shade including azaleas, camellias, dogwoods, sourwoods, cape jasmines (gardenias), spireas, mahonias and leucothoes.

Watering: Drought can be even more damaging in winter than in summer. Since the plants are already under stress from cooler temperatures and drought, the lack of proper moisture creates additional stress. Irrigate when rainfall is scarce, and mulch plants with pine straw or similar material to conserve soil moisture and protect the plants from the cold.

Weed Trees: A weed is a plant growing where it is not wanted, or out of place. Some trees are weed trees, including cherry laurels, mimosas, boxelders, willow oaks, sweet gums and redbuds. These frequently propagate in nature from seeds distributed at random throughout the landscape. Remove these young plants before they reach any measurable height to ensure ease of removal and to prevent your spouse from developing a liking for said plants. Maintain only your cultivated and planned species for best results. Do not use any invasive plants in your landscape. Think native plants.

May the results of your holiday efforts be photo ops and memory-makers for seasons to come. Remember to feed and water the songbirds. Give your pets the care they need. Do not leave them unattended in a hot car or tied to a tree all day long. Do not allow them to have their way with holiday decorations or leave them out at night when the temperature drops very low.

Also, be on lookout for children playing and bicyclists riding along the streets and roadways throughout our communities during this long holiday season. Don’t drive distracted or impaired, and don’t text while driving. Let’s keep everyone safe and enjoy the holiday bowl games while you cheer for your favorite teams.

Enjoy your CHRISTmas season and may your decorating efforts provide you with an atmosphere filled with ornamental appeal and spiritual contentment. A very Merry CHRISTmas to all, and to all, Happy December activities with family and friends!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12.

Eddie Seagle is a sustainability associate, Golf Environment Organization (Scotland); agronomist and horticulturalist; CSI: Seagle (Consulting Services International); professor emeritus and honorary alumnus, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and associate editor of The Golf Course, International Journal of Golf Science. Direct inquiries to [email protected].