December Garden Chores for All USDA Grow Zones

Planting by USDA Zone is a good starting point to get a handle on what you should be thinking of planting and when. If you pair this overview of gardening tasks by zone with experience, local knowledge and good year on year note taking then you will be well on your way to a successful and confident gardener in no time!

ZONE 4

Consider gift memberships to local botanical gardens, arboretums or nature centers for the holidays. They are dual purpose gifts, supporting the organization while providing a thoughtful, lasting presents to your family and friends.
Protect trunks of young trees by wrapping. Surround multi-stemmed and low branching trees and shrubs with chicken wire or hardware cloth held securely against the ground. It should be tall enough to protect branches and high enough that a rabbit can’t hop over it.
Clean garden tools with a wire brush and apply a light coat of oil to protect them from rusting. Sharpen edges of hoes and spades. Clean, readjust and sharpen the blades of pruning tools. Lightly sand handles and then apply a coat of linseed oil, or paint your handles a bright color like red or orange which will make them easier to spot should you lay them in the grass.
If you haven’t already, apply a layer of much on all of your planting beds, especially around your perennials.
A thick layer of straw over root crops like potatoes, parsnips, and carrots as well as parsley and leeks will protect them long enough to harvest them a little at a time well into the winter.
Avoid rock salt, which is sodium chloride, to melt sidewalk and driveway ice. Products made of calcium chloride or potassium chloride cause less damage to plants. For traction, sprinkle sand, kitty litter, or wood ashes sparingly. Mix with a little melting compound if more than just traction is needed. Minimize de-icing and traction products to reduce pollution in storm sewers and streams.

ZONE 5

Consider gift memberships to local botanical gardens, arboretums or nature centers for the holidays. They are dual purpose gifts, supporting the organization while providing a thoughtful, lasting presents to your family and friends.
Protect trunks of young trees by wrapping. Surround multi-stemmed and low branching trees and shrubs with chicken wire or hardware cloth held securely against the ground. It should be tall enough to protect branches and high enough that a rabbit can’t hop over it.
Clean garden tools with a wire brush and apply a light coat of oil to protect them from rusting. Sharpen edges of hoes and spades. Clean, readjust and sharpen the blades of pruning tools. Lightly sand handles and then apply a coat of linseed oil, or paint your handles a bright color like red or orange which will make them easier to spot should you lay them in the grass.
Drain the fuel tank of the lawn mower or tiller before putting the machine away for the winter.
If you haven’t already, apply a layer of much on all of your planting beds, especially around your perennials.
A thick layer of straw over root crops like potatoes, parsnips, and carrots as well as parsley and leeks will protect them long enough to harvest them a little at a time well into the winter.
Avoid rock salt, which is sodium chloride, to melt sidewalk and driveway ice. Products made of calcium chloride or potassium chloride cause less damage to plants. For traction, sprinkle sand, kitty litter, or wood ashes sparingly. Mix with a little melting compound if more than just traction is needed. Minimize de-icing and traction products to reduce pollution in storm sewers and streams.
Start reviewing and expanding your garden notes to help with next year's plans.

ZONE 6

Consider gift memberships to local botanical gardens, arboretums or nature centers for the holidays. They are dual purpose gifts, supporting the organization while providing a thoughtful, lasting presents to your family and friends.
Protect trunks of young trees by wrapping. Surround multi-stemmed and low branching trees and shrubs with chicken wire or hardware cloth held securely against the ground. It should be tall enough to protect branches and high enough that a rabbit can’t hop over it.
Clean garden tools with a wire brush and apply a light coat of oil to protect them from rusting. Sharpen edges of hoes and spades. Clean, readjust and sharpen the blades of pruning tools. Lightly sand handles and then apply a coat of linseed oil, or paint your handles a bright color like red or orange which will make them easier to spot should you lay them in the grass.
Drain the fuel tank of the lawn mower or tiller before putting the machine away for the winter.
If you haven’t already, apply a layer of much on all of your planting beds, especially around your perennials.
A thick layer of straw over root crops like potatoes, parsnips, and carrots as well as parsley and leeks will protect them long enough to harvest them a little at a time well into the winter.
Avoid rock salt, which is sodium chloride, to melt sidewalk and driveway ice. Products made of calcium chloride or potassium chloride cause less damage to plants. For traction, sprinkle sand, kitty litter, or wood ashes sparingly. Mix with a little melting compound if more than just traction is needed. Minimize de-icing and traction products to reduce pollution in storm sewers and streams.
Start reviewing and expanding your garden notes to help with next year's plans.

ZONE 7

Consider gift memberships to local botanical gardens, arboretums or nature centers for the holidays. They are dual purpose gifts, supporting the organization while providing a thoughtful, lasting presents to your family and friends.
Protect trunks of young trees by wrapping. Surround multi-stemmed and low branching trees and shrubs with chicken wire or hardware cloth held securely against the ground. It should be tall enough to protect branches and high enough that a rabbit can’t hop over it.
Clean garden tools with a wire brush and apply a light coat of oil to protect them from rusting. Sharpen edges of hoes and spades. Clean, readjust and sharpen the blades of pruning tools. Lightly sand handles and then apply a coat of linseed oil, or paint your handles a bright color like red or orange which will make them easier to spot should you lay them in the grass.
Drain the fuel tank of the lawn mower or tiller before putting the machine away for the winter.
If you haven’t already, apply a layer of mulch on all of your planting beds, especially around your perennials.
Avoid rock salt, which is sodium chloride, to melt sidewalk and driveway ice. Products made of calcium chloride or potassium chloride cause less damage to plants. For traction, sprinkle sand, kitty litter, or wood ashes sparingly. Mix with a little melting compound if more than just traction is needed. Minimize de-icing and traction products to reduce pollution in storm sewers and streams.
Start reviewing and expanding your garden notes to help with next year's plans.
Harvest Brussel sprouts, kale, cabbage, and collards.
Mulch carrots, parsnips, and other crops that will spend winter underground.
Spread mulch over beds where early spring crops will grow.
Turn compost one last time, then cover it with a tarp to prevent nutrients from leaching away during winter rains.
Dig, divide and replant crowded bulbs.
Continue setting out hardy annual and perennial seedlings, then cover them with cloches or put in cold frames.

ZONE 8

Consider gift memberships to local botanical gardens, arboretums or nature centers for the holidays. They are dual purpose gifts, supporting the organization while providing a thoughtful, lasting presents to your family and friends.
Protect trunks of young trees by wrapping. Surround multi-stemmed and low branching trees and shrubs with chicken wire or hardware cloth held securely against the ground. It should be tall enough to protect branches and high enough that a rabbit can’t hop over it.
Clean garden tools with a wire brush and apply a light coat of oil to protect them from rusting. Sharpen edges of hoes and spades. Clean, readjust and sharpen the blades of pruning tools. Lightly sand handles and then apply a coat of linseed oil, or paint your handles a bright color like red or orange which will make them easier to spot should you lay them in the grass.
Drain the fuel tank of the lawn mower or tiller before putting the machine away for the winter.
If you haven’t already, apply a layer of mulch on all of your planting beds, especially around your perennials.
Avoid rock salt, which is sodium chloride, to melt sidewalk and driveway ice. Products made of calcium chloride or potassium chloride cause less damage to plants. For traction, sprinkle sand, kitty litter, or wood ashes sparingly. Mix with a little melting compound if more than just traction is needed. Minimize de-icing and traction products to reduce pollution in storm sewers and streams.
Start reviewing and expanding your garden notes to help with next year's plans.
Harvest Brussel sprouts, kale, cabbage, and collards.
Mulch carrots, parsnips, and other crops that will spend winter underground.
Spread mulch over beds where early spring crops will grow.
Turn compost one last time, then cover it with a tarp to prevent nutrients from leaching away during winter rains.
Dig, divide and replant crowded bulbs.
Continue setting out hardy annual and perennial seedlings, then cover them with cloches or put in cold frames.

ZONE 9

Consider gift memberships to local botanical gardens, arboretums or nature centers for the holidays. They are dual purpose gifts, supporting the organization while providing a thoughtful, lasting presents to your family and friends.
To add color to the winter garden, plant masses of petunia, pansy, and snapdragon.
Amaryllis is a popular plant for the holiday season. It can be forced to bloom now or planted outdoors for spring blooms.
Plant herbs that thrive in cool weather. Some examples include parsley, thyme, sage, dill, fennel, and cilantro.
Reliable cool-season vegetables to plant this month include celery, cauliflower, lettuce, cabbage, and carrot.
Prepare now to protect tender plants should cold weather threaten.
Inspect regularly for pests on indoor plants. Keep in mind that plant-specific temperature, light, and humidity are key to ensuring that indoor plants thrive.
Consider performing a soil test if plants do not perform as desired or if new plantings are planned.
Use fallen leaves to provide the carbon ingredient needed for successful composting and also to make a good mulch.
Continue monitoring and treat as needed. While cooler weather generally means fewer pests, some populations actually increase at this time of year.

ZONE 10

Consider gift memberships to local botanical gardens, arboretums or nature centers for the holidays. They are dual purpose gifts, supporting the organization while providing a thoughtful, lasting presents to your family and friends.
Plant herbs that thrive in cool weather. Some examples include parsley, thyme, sage, dill, fennel, and cilantro.
To add color to the winter garden, plant masses of begonia, impatiens, and geranium.
Reliable cool-season vegetables to plant this month include broccoli, carrots, kale, green onions, and others.
Irrigate if the weather has been warm and dry. Monitor plants for signs of stress and water only as needed.
Inspect houseplants regularly for pests. Keep in mind that plant-specific temperature, light, and humidity are key to ensuring that indoor plants thrive.
Consider performing a soil test if plants do not perform as desired or if new plantings are planned.
Use fallen leaves and other plant debris to provide the carbon ingredient needed for successful composting and also to make a good mulch.
Continue monitoring and treat as needed. While cooler weather generally means fewer pests, some populations actually increase at this time of year.
Consider enjoying a live southern red cedar and then plant it in the landscape when the holidays are over.
Protect tender orchid, impatiens, and tomatoes from falling temperatures.