Things to Do in December

Events

• 2018-12-21 Yule - Winter Solstice

Infrastructure

• Build garden beds

Livestock

Breeding Table

	Breeding Date	Birth Date	Breeding Date	Birth Date
Mare	Dec 1	Nov 5	Jan 1	Dec 6
Cow	Dec 1	Sept 9	March 1	Dec 8
Ewe	Dec 1	April 26	Aug 1	Dec 27
Sow	Dec 1	March 21	Sept 1	Dec 21

Plant

• Start sweet potato slips just to have greenery in the house
• Blueberries should be planted while dormant, usually from November through March

Roses

• Then, between the last week of November and the first two weeks in December, cut back the canes to 2' - 3' to keep them from blowing around in the winter winds and loosening the soil around the roots. Remove all pruning debris from the beds. Place a mound of soil or mulch about 12 inches high around each bush to protect the bud union from freeze damage. In addition, if you want to minimize the amount of winter die-back at the end of each cane, you can further protect the canes by piling oak leaves, or loose hay or other loose organic materials about two feet high around the bushes. You can keep these from blowing away with a small cage made from chicken wire or other fence wire.http://www.nashvillerosesociety.com/GrowingBeautifulRoses.html

Snow Considerations

• If heavy snow, brush off of shrubs with a broom to prevent damage

Spring Bulbs

• Plant out bulbs for forcing

Wildlife

• Put out nesting boxes so they will be weathered and ready for early nesting birds