UC Marin Master Gardeners

DECEMBER

In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
- William Blake

PLAN(T) YOUR SPRING BLOOMS
The wet season is the best time to plant native wildflowers. The earlier you plant seeds, the larger your plants will be by the time the longer Spring days bring forth flowers, and the more flowers you will get! Clarkia, Phacelia, and Nemophila are easy annuals to grow from seed and widely available at stores and online. Seed in pots or bare ground and cover with a thin layer of soil.

WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THOSE LEAVES
When leaves drop to the ground, they decompose and enrich the soil with nutrients, fungi, and bacteria while also providing a protective mulch around the plant. But leaf litter is dry and can provide fuel for fire. Clean up all leaf litter near the home in Zone 0. Add this leaf litter to a compost pile at least 30ft from your home. Get more ideas for leaf litter here.

COMBAT THE RATS!
Rats are among the most troublesome and damaging rodents in residential areas. Rats damage garden crops and tree fruit and may infest buildings where they can contaminate food and transmit diseases to humans and pets. Click here to learn how to manage this pesky pest.

BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR TOOLS AWAY
Good tools need regular care to keep them working properly and safely. Cleaning your tools is also important to prevent the spread of disease-causing pathogens. Remove all soil from the tools, and clean them with a 10% bleach solution or other disinfectant to protect tools from spreading diseases. Apply a light layer of oil to prevent rusting. Learn more about tool care here.