This is one of my favorite times of the year with Christmas trees, wreaths, lights, poinsettias and the spirit of Christmas all around us. This truly is a time to think about and savor special time with family and friends as we remember the Christ child and the real reason for the season.
If you still need to do some Christmas shopping for yourself or a gardening friend there are thousands of possibilities. You may want to consider actual plants, gift certificates from their favorite garden center for plants that may be out of season or if you aren’t sure what plants they want. Listen to what they like or think back to what they enjoy and consider gifts that match their interest in trees, perennials, vegetables, flower gardening or even hobby greenhouse or greenhouse supplies. Garden tools, gloves, pruning shears or loppers, water tools or drip irrigation systems are all nice gifts. You may want to select a piece of garden statuary, a garden bench, a hammock or yard furniture to help them relax and enjoy their garden and the great outdoors.
We are fortunate to have a very good Oklahoma Horticulture Society with quarterly newsletters, monthly lectures and they sponsor excellent garden tours and field trips. You might consider gifting a membership in the Hort Society or a special interest group like the Rose Society, Orchid Society, Daylily Society, Begonia or Iris groups or a similar gardening group that matches their interests. I know of several couples that have considered adding a water garden, new landscaping, a butterfly garden or vegetable garden. This might be the year to give a gift certificate to fulfill that dream or even a personal coupon and budget to build it yourself for your loved one.
If you get a living Christmas tree grown in a container or balled and burlapped you will want to move it outside fairly soon after Christmas and get it planted in the yard before it gets too dry and dehydrated which reduces its chance to get established and grow in your yard. You can enjoy your poinsettias for several more weeks or even moths if you will water and care for them. Keep them in good light and water thoroughly when the soil gets dry to the touch.
We enjoy the opportunity to visit with you throughout the year and appreciate your many questions, comments and feedback. Thanks for your time and attention this year as we learn together to feed our stomachs and our souls with plants. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends and we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Rodd's Seeds of Wisdom 