This is the month of Evergreens. Their color and place in the landscape bridge the winter gap between summer and spring. At this season they are not only the dominant feature in the garden, but in the home as well, when they stand bedecked with tinsel and lights at Christmas. This is their shining hour. Theirs is the symbol of Christmas.

It is also a time for gardeners to relax, that is if you haven’t forgotten to hill up your roses or haven’t had time to plant your spring flowering bulbs. Of course, Christmas preparations will take up some of the slack time, but a good gardener should find some time for reading, now and in the wintery months ahead. This is a gentle reminder that, as a member of the Association, you have lending privileges at the Helen Fowler Library at 909 York Street. This excellent library contains a great many books on all phases of gardening, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Whether you are interested in roses or iris, bugs or plant diseases, landscaping or rock gardens, you will find an appropriate book in our library.

To make your Christmas shopping easier, here are a few suggestions for your gardening friends. “The Green Thumb,” itself, makes an excellent gift for the new home owner or novice gardener. Just use the gift blank on page 350 in this magazine. Good books on gardening, such as George Kelly’s “Good Gardens in the Sunshine States”, are welcome gifts. Your local garden shop is well stocked with tools and gimmicks that will make a hit with the weekend gardener. For the hard-to-please you will find gift certificates available at most of the nurseries and garden centers.

House plants become more noticeable and attractive now that outdoor plants have faded from the limelight. Like the plants in our gardens, they need some attention if they are to perform well. The addition, about once a month, of a soluble fertilizer to their water will take care of their mineral requirements. Check them occasionally for aphids and mealy bugs. If only a few are present, they can be removed with a cotton swab and alcohol. However if there is a heavy infestation, take them outside on a warm day (60-70°) and spray with malathion. Frequent syringing or spraying of the foliage is beneficial to most house plants. Take care not to overwater plants in ceramic or plastic containers without drainage. Small quantities of charcoal in the bottom of such containers helps keep the soil sweet.

While many of our birds have gone south for the winter, we find that many have taken up winter quarters here. When the weather is good, they seem to forage pretty well for themselves, but when snow covers the ground they are often hard pressed for food. Set up a bird feeding station in your yard and enjoy the antics of the different feathered personalities who come to take advantage of your winter hospitality. Some of the foods recommended for such a feeding station are: suet and fatty trimmings from meat; seeds of sunflower, pumpkin, millet, rye, barley, wheat, and numerous weed seeds. Most of the garden shops now carry mixed seeds for wild birds. In addition bread crumbs, popcorn, and nuts are welcome tidbits for the birds. Once you start a feeding station keep it filled. Birds learn to rely on finding food there and will suffer when you neglect it.

One word in regard to the weather, if it should stay dry for any long period of time, 3 to 4 weeks, get out the hose and give everything, particularly the evergreens, a good soaking.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year—

—Pat.