Before Holiday Rush, Time to Prune, Clean

Create a diversion from the mad rush before Christmas by spending some time outdoors sprucing things up. Roses, fruit trees and evergreen shrubbery are prime candidates for pruning. The garden could also use a cleanup spray.

Grapes, strawberries, evergreen shrubbery, shade trees and much more can take advantage of the winter months to establish themselves. Perennial plants such as Shasta daisies and phlox can be divided and be sure to lift out tuberous begonias otherwise they may rot if they stay in wet winter soil.