Christmas is coming, but there’s still work to do in the garden

▪ This year, buy yourself a really good trowel in stainless steel with a wood handle. Keep your trowel in a convenient place because you never know when you will need it. This can be your garden gift to yourself — because you’ve been so good this year!

▪ Spring flowering bulbs, such as hyacinths, are up to 75 percent off. Buy them and find a home for them.

▪ Now is a great time to prune Japanese maples. Prune a little at a time, keeping the tree symmetrical. The best pruned trees look like they were never pruned. No shearing, please!

▪ Irrigation systems need winterization, and now is the time to remove and drain water from garden hoses. Store them in a protected area. Replace the rubber washers located in the ends of the hoses, too.

▪ Plant Italian arum in areas where hosta and impatiens were growing. Italian arum is an attractive winter perennial, which dies to the ground as summer approaches.

▪ To prevent birdbaths from cracking, empty water and remove the saucer, or, simply turn it upside down and place it back on the pedestal.

▪ Keep bird feeders filled. Your feathered friends have become accustomed to the food source in your yard.

▪ “Paper White” narcissus bulbs that were forced for holiday blooms will not do well planted outside. Put them in the compost pile.

▪ Recycle those Christmas trees. Call your local government for a recycling center near you.

▪ Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all of you! Stay tuned next week to learn what to do with your poinsettia plants.

This story was originally published December 19, 2016 at 12:34 PM with the headline "Christmas is coming, but there’s still work to do in the garden."