10 Gardening Activities for December in the Pacific Northwest

1. Harvest Winter Greens, Berries, Cones, and More

Spend some time in your garden harvesting winter greens, berries, pinecones, grasses, and other seasonal cuttings for winter displays. Use what you harvest to create winter containers that accent the walkways, porches, and entryways around your home. Here are some videos that show how to create a simple winter container or a winter wreath. Short on time and can't make your own? Check out our favorite holiday decor finds that you won't have to gather yourself.

2. Clean Bird Feeders & Refill Them

Ideally, you set out bird feeders earlier in fall. By December, it’s time to check them to make sure they are clean and full of seed. You should clean bird feeders roughly every two weeks to prevent buildup of bird droppings and other contaminants that can make birds sick. To clean bird feeders, remove any remaining bird seed and clean the feeder with soap and warm water. It’s also a good idea to disinfect feeders with vinegar or an all-natural spray. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has more information on cleaning bird feeders. When you refill your feeders, use a seed-based mix.

3. Prepare Soil Now for Spring

Late fall and early winter are good times to prepare soil because many of the annuals and perennials have either been removed or have died back. This means you can more easily access soil around plants. Adding 2 to 4 inches of compost this time of year also provides ample time for the nutrients to begin to work their way into existing soil before you begin planting in spring. Use organic compost from your compost bin or a local nursery.

4. Try Your Hand at Plant Propagation

Plant propagation isn’t as difficult as it sounds, especially if you start with plants that you can propagate by cutting such as evergreen trees, shrubs, and many succulents. Several good plants to start with include arborvitae, jade plant, coleus, salvia, geraniums, and philodendron. There are of course other ways to propagate plants—from spores to seed to divisions. For a complete overview of propagating, get the book Plant Parenting by Leslie F. Halleck. One easy way to start propagating is to take cuttings of a jade plant or philodendron and put them in water. It can help to dip the end of the root in a rooting hormone to stimulate roots before placing it in water. Put the cuttings and water near a sunny window. Roots will form in around 2 weeks. Once the root system develops lateral roots, you can move them to a pot with soil.

5. Avoid De-Icing Salts

De-icing salts can be harmful to many plants and soil in your garden, so it’s best to just avoid the use of salts in your garden if possible. Instead, use a cordless snow blower to remove heavier snow along walkways, driveways, or patios. Then apply traction granules that will help prevent slipping on icy surfaces.

6. Buy a Living Christmas Tree

A living Christmas tree avoids the waste of growing a beautiful tree and then cutting it down to use for only a few weeks during the holidays. You can bring a living tree into your home several weeks before Christmas and then keep it (in its container) outdoors the rest of the year or plant it in the garden. Note that if you want to have a tree indoors for longer than 10 to 12 days, it may need extra care and adequate sunlight. Tree varieties that make good living Christmas trees include Colorado blue spruce, Douglas fir, Aleppo pine, Norfolk Island pine, Fraser fir, or Norway spruce. Head to your local nursery and check out their collection of conifers. When you bring a tree home, pot it and place it in a location away from fireplaces and heat sources. Give it ample water and be sure to decorate it with non-heat-producing LED lights. If you decide to plant your tree in the garden after the holiday, be sure you put it in a location where it has space to grow. Many conifers can get quite large (60 to 100 feet tall). If you have a small garden or want to keep the tree in a pot, it’s often best to buy a dwarf.

7. Prepare for Deer

Deer are often more active during the late fall and winter months when food is most scarce. They go to great lengths to munch on plants during winter. Prepare for deer by checking your deer fencing to make sure nothing is broken. You can also use motion-activated deer sprinklers to help deter deer. Another option is to just accept deer and adjust your planting design to include deer-resistant plants. Winter is a good time to learn more about deer-resistant gardening so you can start adjusting your garden plans. Read Karen Chapman’s book Deer-Resistant Design to get more information on planning a deer-resistant garden.

8. Get Your Plant Catalogs & Start Shopping

December is a perfect time to sit by the fire with a warm cup of coffee or a glass of wine, browse plant catalogs, and think about next year’s garden. Here are some of the best catalogs to get: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Burpee, Johnny's Selected Seeds, Logee's, Plant Delights Nursery, Proven Winners, Seed Savers Exchange and Territorial Seed Company.

9. Plan Redesigns to Your Garden

With less going on in the garden during the winter, begin thinking about areas of your garden that you want to redesign, expand, or change. If you need some inspiration, check out our 2020 Garden Trends report. Winter is often a good time to remove grass and expand garden beds when soil is moist from rain. If you have larger redesign aspirations, consider using an online design service such as Home Outside or Yardzen. For a fee, these services provide a complete redesign of your garden that includes hardscapes, amenities, and plants. If you like to design yourself, consider using an app such as iScape for layout or eGardenGo for plant combinations specifically tailored to the Pacific Northwest.

10. Visit the Volunteer Park Conservatory

Located in the Capital Hill neighborhood of Seattle, the Volunteer Park Conservatory is a jewel of the city’s horticultural scene. If you live near Seattle or plan to visit this season, be sure to stop by to see the plant collections. There are five viewing rooms: Fern House, Bromeliad House, Cactus House, Palm House, and a seasonal display area. Pistils Nursery has a great article with photos and a description of their visit. The conservatory is open every month of the year but spending time in a temperate greenhouse during winter sure is enjoyable. There’s free admission on the first Thursday and Saturday of every month. Check out this self-guided day trip to see other Seattle gardens worth exploring.