DECEMBER GARDENING

Around mid-December, Yuma often has its first freeze. During a light freeze, cold-tender plants may be killed if not protected by covering them with a sheet.

• Trees and shrubs: A potted Christmas tree can be planted in your yard after the holidays. Aleppo pine, Afghan pine, Italian Stone pine and Arizona cypress grow nicely here. Plant bare-root fruit trees requiring 250-400 chill hours to set fruit. Do not prune cold-tender trees or

• Shrubs: Plant cold-hardy shrubs.

• Roses: Wait until established roses are dormant in January to prune. If leaves show powdery mildew, spray both sides Dec.March with Neem oil.

• Vegetables: Continue to plant cool-season vegetables from seeds or transplants (Asparagus, beet, artichoke, salad greens, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, peas, radish, spinach and turnip). You can start seeds of warm-season vegetables indoors or in a greenhouse (tomatoes, squash, peppers).

• Herbs: Plant dill, fennel, cilantro, lemon balm, mints, parsley and chives.

• Bulbs: This is the last month to plant spring-flowering bulbs (amaryllis, anemone, bearded iris, crinum, paper whites, Dutch iris, sparaxis, ranunculus, and gladiolus).

• Annuals: Plant annuals (African daisy, calendula, geranium, candytuft, Iceland poppy, larkspur, pansy, petunia, snapdragon, stock, sweet alyssum, lobelia, dianthus, primrose).

• Grapes: Set out bare-root Thompson seedless grape stock in a sunny location. Prepare a hole 1-1/2 feet deep and wide. Place grape stock in hole, leaving 2 inches of stem above ground. Fill in with soil and water well. Do not prune established grape vines this month.

• Groundcovers: Plant trailing gazania, ice plant, trailing dalea, or creeping-oxeye.