It is so wonderful that we live in an area where there IS December gardening! We may complain a bit about how much pruning and weeding we do all year long, but that beats slipping and falling on ice by a long shot.

Speaking of weeding; with the warm weather that we've been having, the fallen seeds from the weeds that we pulled in November are sprouting and trying to establish themselves again. With all of the activities that are going on around the holidays it is hard to find time to go out and weed. Putting some cardboard down with some mulch on top will help keep the beds attractive for all the visitors that you might have during the holidays AND help prevent the pesky weeds from developing good roots. Naturally the best way is to pull or dig the weed roots out, but we do recognize that full calendars oftimes seem to demand equal time with gardening chores. If you have a spot where you can spray without damaging surrounding plants, you can mix vinegar and water (if on brick walks or in your driveway you can use straight vinegar) and spray. The more vinegar you use the more killing is done so be careful around other plants. The smell leaves after several hours and no damage is done to the environment. If you have to really clear an area you can mix water, vinegar, salt and liquid dishwashing soap. Of course, putting down heavy newspaper, plastic or cardboard works, too. No one probably has time to do that work right now, though.

Birds of winter are friends to the gardener so here is a recipe to be friendly towards the birds. Mike's Suet for Birds

2 parts corn meal 2 parts instant oatmeal 2 parts flour

1 part peanut butter 1 part lard (nuked for 3 mins. to soften)

Pour lard over peanut butter to melt. Mix the rest together.

Mix until it feels like play dough. Use an 18 oz. peanut butter jar for each part.

Saw in the paper a definition of ecology: " A science which warns people who won't listen, about ways they won't follow, of saving an environment they don't appreciate." The Floral City Garden Club members DO appreciate and do search out ecologically friendly ways to garden and to live so this doesn't apply to us, but, sadly, many aren't listening and the environment is suffering. We're planting seeds with love to help plants and hearts grow.

Enjoy your hollies right now with their lovely berries as you are enjoying the wonderful fragrance of the tea olives (Osmanthus fragrans).

If you are still looking for gifts for people think about a subscription to one of the great gardening magazines that are out there. Also for other gardeners would be a very large or a very specific type of container that you know that your gardening friend would use. Fortunately the garden shops in our area still carry a large variety of containers so you will have lots of choices.

Good gardening tools can be expensive, but a special occasion is a good time to give them---or request them from your family.

For day trips for the family don't forget the Christmas lights display at the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo and the Bok Tower Gardens with Pine Wood house display as well as the Holiday House at Leu Garden in Orlando. The Shalom Garden in Ocala where some of us visited last month might be a good place to relax after all of our company leaves and we need some tranquility.

No frosts predicted as far as I know, but do be alert because there is always the possibility that a cold front could venture this far down and surprise us. Check your attic or storeroom to see if your frost cloth is accessible or your sheets/blankets can be found to be quickly put out in case the cold arrives. Remember not to use plastic to cover plants and if you know that the frost is predicted give your plants a good watering the day before. The less stressed and stronger they are the better they can handle the colder temperatures.

One side of our house has temperatures ten degrees colder than the other so we plant accordingly. There are thermometers that show the highest and the lowest temperatures that occur so you can plant properly. Some plants just have to be brought in (if they are container plants), but if they are in the ground they will need protection if their zone is 10 or 11. Most Zone 9 plants can make it here in Floral City, but you have to know your own yard's peculiarities and work around them.

Lawns really don't need much cutting once the colder weather starts, but check the grass to see what weaknesses are visible(thatch, spots, diseases, "critters") so that you can help correct the problems in the spring.

Hope some of you have vegetables growing. If you are having a success story tell the club at the meeting or email us. Some of us have very little experience with growing vegetables, but with the price of food going up we might want to begin a vegetable garden---or a small bed or two.

Reminder of the Environmental Studies Program and the Short Course that will be held at the Plantation Inn, Crystal River, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 4, 5, 6, 2008. There is scholarship information so that if someone could do with some help to pay for these activities, you can apply. The basic cost before Feb. 2, is $60 with $11 for Box Lunch for field trip, and $25 for dinner additional. The additional costs remain, but the basic cost after Feb. 2, is $75. If you stay at the Plantation Inn, that is an additional room cost of $124. plus tax, per night for single or double.

Our District is sponsoring these two and the topics deal with subjects that affect us all. We are so close that we could carpool daily and participate in this healthy event.

A copy of the program will be on the Information Table at the meeting.

Happy Gardening during this wonderful season!