December in Sonoma County

Happy Holidays!

Although the days are shorter, this is the time of year to be merry. Holiday wreathes are fun to make where you can explore your own creativity.

Master Gardener Sue Lovelace demonstrates how to create wreaths in her presentation available on YouTube.

Healthy Soils Week

Join the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and partners in highlighting soil health. Healthy Soils Week is December 5th-9th.

Per CDFA, Healthy soil is quite literally the foundation of sustainable food, water, air and biodiversity. Restoring and preserving healthy soil results in:

Improved plant health and yields
Increased water infiltration and retention
Sequestered carbon and reduced greenhouse gases (GHGs)
Reduced sediment erosion and dust
Improved water and air quality
Improved biological diversity and wildlife habitat

Read more about soil and composting on our website.

Leave the Leaves

Leave the fall leaves for insects and other invertebrates as winter habitat protection. Invertebrates rely on fallen leaves and other organic debris to cover and insulate them from the elements. Leaves don’t need to be left exactly where they fall. Rake them into garden beds or around tree bases. Too many leaves can kill grass, but in soil they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and boost nutrition. Keep in mind that during fire season you should not let leaf litter accumulate more than 2-4” within 5-30’ of the home, and remove it completely within 0-5’. For more information on types of winter habitats visit https://xerces.org/leave-the-leaves.

Wildflowers

Fall is the best time to sow wildflower seeds in your Sonoma County garden. The winter rains will water the seeds and the flowers will bloom next year, in early spring and summer. Click here for information on site selection, how to sow wildflower seeds, recommendations for annual wildflowers that do well in Sonoma County and a stunning photo gallery of California native wildflowers taken by Sonoma County Master Gardener April Lynch. Check out this video on Planting Native Wildflower Seeds by UC Davis.

Planting Bulbs

Lay the groundwork now for bright and cheerful blooms in your garden this spring. The ground has been softened from our recent rain, so this is a great time to get them planted. You should find a nice selection of bulbs to choose from in our local nurseries and garden centers. Read more on bulbs for Sonoma County and view our short video (time 2:09) on California Native Bulbs.