It’s December 1, and we are starting a month that means so many different things for each of us! Shopping for gifts, planning and attending events, looking forward (or not) to seeing family and relatives, and hopefully finding some quiet and alone time binging old movies and enjoying the beautiful outdoors. 

While things have slowed down at Monk Botanical Gardens, activities and work continues for the staff and grounds crew. Each month is a new opportunity to promote and enjoy the outdoors, connect with nature, and find our happy place. December is also still a great month for us to spend some time tending to our gardens or plantings before the snow gets deep and the winds become more bitter! 

December is one of the best months to prune our trees and shrubs. In winter, our plants are dormant, sleeping in essence, so they don’t really care what we do to them. By removing dead, dying, and diseased branches and utilizing thinning and shaping cuts, you will promote healthier plants and trees. Additionally, the cold weather does not promote the spread of diseases that can afflict plants, especially when we “wound” them with pruning cuts. A project of this type can inspire us to get out and enjoy the fresh air, get a little exercise, and stretch a bit while doing our plants and trees a great service!  

Before you grab your pruners and hand saws, come and learn more about pruning techniques on Dec. 5 for the first week of our Lunch and Learn series, “I’m Cutting You Off, Winter Tree Pruning.” Bring a lunch as well as your questions to the red yurt from 11:30 – 1:00. The Cost is $15, and you will need to register on our website, Monk Botanical Gardens – Lunch and Learn Sessions (hisawyer.com). We look forward to talking trees and shrubs with you!

Written by Pat Witt, Garden Supervisor