Here are some tips on what to do in the desert garden this month from the
University of Arizona College of Agriculture Maricopa County Extension
There's also a lot of other helpful information and FAQ's on that website.
Another site of interest on what to do in the garden here in the low
desert is John Chapman's site.
Climate Information for December
in Phoenix, ArizonaRainfall:
- Average: 1.0 inches
Record: 4.0 inches (1967)
Temperature (degrees F):- Average High: 66.2 degrees
Lowest High: 36 degrees (1898)
Record High: 87 degrees (1950)
Average Low: 41.8 degrees
Highest Low: 59 degrees (1949)
Record Low: 22 degrees (1900, 1911)
After the first mowing, fertilize winter lawns with a high phosphate fertilizer like superphosphate, triple superphosphate, or a complete fertilizer that is 20% phosphorous or more by weight. Ammonium phosphate (16-20-0) is another option. Follow the application rates and directions on the label.
Identify and correct problems with winter laws quickly.
Plant Seeds - Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Lettuce (Head & Leaf), Mustard, Green Onions, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, Turnips
Plant Transplants
- Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf)
Watch for insect and pest problems, identify and manage early to prevent damage.
New rose catalogs come out and bare root roses are available at nurseries from the middle to the end of the month. Be prepared to protect citrus from early winter frosts Wrap the trunks of young citrus and other cold-tender trees with cloth, cardboard or several layers of newspaper (NOT plastic) to protect them from the winter freeze. Leave them wrapped until the threat of frost has passed in the Spring.
Peel color is not a good indicator of maturity or taste in citrus. Give it the taste test. If it is not sweet enough for your liking, leave it on the tree. Up to a point, the longer the fruit is left on the tree the sweeter.
Deciduous fruit trees must receive sufficient chilling for their flower buds to develop properly. Different varieties have different "chilling requirements." In order to have good fruit set, even in milder winters, choose a variety that requires less than 400 hours of chilling.
Landscape Plants Cut off spent blooms to stimulate rebloom Reduce irrigation to one deep watering of the root zone per month for the winter
Plant winter hardy trees, shrubs and vines
Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied from October through early December for winter annual weed control. Follow the package directions carefully for best results. DO NOT use pre-emergent herbicides where you will be planting seeds this season.
Be prepared for early winter frost
Don't List . . .
DO NOT increase opportunities for fungal disease on turf by over watering, watering at night, over fertilizing, or mowing when the grass is wet.
DO NOT OVER WATER which will result in root rots. Allow the soil to dry out between watering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Damage is Noticed on the Fruit
Citrus fruit split - Inappropriate water management leads to sunburn, making the rind less supple and less resilient to stretching and growing, thus as the fruit starts to enlarge it splits. There is nothing to be done for this season, ensure adequate irrigation next summer.
- This may be related to a heavy fruit set or weather. Lack of normal rainfall during the midsummer period can have a direct influence on fruit size. Citrus fruit growth is always greater as a response to rain vs. a similar amount of irrigation water.
Brown stains that are obvious in some pecan meats - This is probably the result of stink bug feeding earlier in the season. No bitter taste effect results from this damage.
Damage is Noticed on the Leaves
There are thousands of little black dots on the leaves of my acacia tree. The needles on several branches of a pine tree are turning brown but staying attached to the tree
Seedlings have been clipped off right at the soil line
Leaves of vegetables are being eaten by snails, slugs, cabbage loopers, or birds.
There are lots of aphids, tiny insects, on my plants
Citrus leaves are curled and/or the fruit is slightly scarred.
Seedlings and bedding plants wilt and die suddenly
Damage is Noticed on the Stem or Trunk
Damage is Noticed on the Roots
Cultural / Environmental Questions
Citrus fruit split - Inappropriate water management leads to sunburn, making the rind less supple and less resilient to stretching and growing, thus as the fruit starts to enlarge it splits. There is nothing to be done for this season, ensure adequate irrigation next summer.
Small fruit size
- This may be related to a heavy fruit set or weather. Lack of normal rainfall during the midsummer period can have a direct influence on fruit size. Citrus fruit growth is always greater as a response to rain vs. a similar amount of irrigation water.
The needles on several branches of a pine tree are turning brown but staying attached to the tree
Insect/Pest Questions There are thousands of little black dots on the leaves of my acacia tree. Brown stains that are obvious in some pecan meats
- This is probably a result of stink bugs feeding earlier in the season. No bitter taste effect results from this damage.
Seedlings have been clipped off right at the soil line
Leaves of vegetables are being eaten by snails, slugs, cabbage loopers, or birds.
There are lots of aphids, tiny insects, on my plants
Citrus leaves are curled and/or the fruit is slightly scarred.
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