-Replenish mulch around trees, shrubs, and roses. This will insulate the roots from the cold and also keep down winter weeds.

-Continue planting winter blooming annuals. Mulch well and fertilize established plants.

-Buy your Christmas tree as early as possible. When you bring it home, cut a couple of inches off the end and put in water. Replenish the water daily. Preservatives can also be added to the water that can prolong the life of the tree.

-Prepare beds for planting in the spring. Improve the soil by adding several inches of compost, rotted manure, or other organic compound. Cultivate the soil by tilling or turning with fork or shovel. A soil test can also be very beneficial at this point. Amendments can be made at this time. Spring gardening will be much easier with this done.

-Poinsettias, amaryllis, Christmas cactus, and narcissus are just a few of the plants that make great Christmas decorations. Keep them watered, but make sure they don't stay too wet. Holiday wraps will prevent pots from draining adequately, so remove foil or poke holes to prevent them from becoming waterlogged. Keep plants in a bright location and away from heating vents for best results.

-Spray dried hydrangeas (even those dead and brown still on your bushes) with gold Design Master Paint and add to your Christmas swags for an elegant look.

-Use holly, cedar, camellia, Leyland Cyprus, rosemary and other evergreens from your garden to enhance your holiday decorations.

-This is a good time to transplant trees and shrubs. This should be done in the winter months while plants are dormant.

-Remember your gardening friends with Christmas gifts of tools, gardening books, plants, or a gift certificate from The Everyday Gardener.