The December 2023 California Gardening To-Do List

When you live in California, especially Southern California there is no need to give up growing and playing in your garden. However, choosing the right fruits and vegetables for the winter climates is important. The temperatures tend to fluctuate between 40-80 degrees with mild to direct sunshine. These elements can be a challenge but with proper planning can be accomplished. Here are some new and fun ideas for your new or established winter garden.

Southern California:

1. Begin to cut back ornamental grasses to get ready for new growth.
2. Plant pre-chilled bulbs within the first few weeks after Christmas.

Northern California:

1. Protect young trees and fruits from frost.
2. Be prepared for unexpected cold spells and frosts with old clothes for row covers and DIY cloches (use soda bottles and milk jugs).
3. Feed winter-flowering shrubs.

Both regions:

Depending on your environment, here are some suggested non-frost cold weather plants: asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chives, collards, endive, favas, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radish, rutabaga, spinach, swiss chard, and turnips.

Plant some floral cool-season annuals such as poppies, pansies, violas, linaria, diascia, and nemesia.

• Try a fresh new look in your container garden with some colorful flowers and ornamental grasses.
• Native plants throughout California are now becoming a visual masterpiece throughout our neighbor's gardens and parks. 
• Natives can be a fun new way to explore native California horticulture while incorporating water-reduction plants into your garden.
• Divide and replant clumping perennials. For you organic growers try some fish emulsion to help secure their growth and for some other options for quick root growth such as: Green Light Concentrate Root Stimulator and Starter Solution.
• December is the best month to plant those cool-season grasses, including Marathon and Delta.
• Plant permanent plants that you may have missed planting in fall, such as trees, shrubs, vines and perennials.
• Reduce your watering for your deciduous fruit trees, therefore including them to go dormant for winter. This encourages optional growth in spring.