Many gardeners lay down their Foxgloves and take up oven mitts through Thanksgiving weekend, in the spirit of the season.  With December holidays waiting in the wings, now is a good time for selfless gardeners to make wants and needs known to loved ones willing to enter a gardening conversation.

As experienced diggers know, some of the best gardening occurs on paper, especially during our Southern California winter. Dormancy forces plants and people to rest. Here are a few gift ideas for gardeners as we plan for spring and summertime gardens.

Mulch, mulch, mulch. 

There are plenty of reasons to apply mulch. It’s incredibly easy since it is laid onto the top of the soil, 3 or 4 inches thick. No need to incorporate it into the soil. In fact, it is best not to work it in. Microbes will break it down over time, while other great things are happening under its magical cloak. Like weed suppression. And reduced water evaporation from the soil. And moderating soil temperatures (cooler in summer, warmer in winter).  My personal favorite: Composted mulch provides a steady diet of nutrients for plants as the aforementioned microbes consume it and release. Meaning, little or no fertilizer required for ornamental plants. Yes, mulch saves time and money.

Great article for the green thumb in the family! Check out this article for some interesting holiday gift ideas for the gardener in you!