Happy December, Everybody 🌍

Welcome to the December edition of our monthly newsletter, where winter’s arrival transforms our gardens into quiet canvases of frost and evergreen. As the days grow shorter, December invites us to blend cozy indoor projects with outdoor preparations, ensuring our gardens emerge stronger when spring returns.

In this issue, we’ll explore:

• Holiday Décor DIY​
  • Craft natural wreaths, garlands, and table centerpieces using foraged evergreens, pinecones, and dried citrus slices.
• Tool Care & Maintenance​
  • Sharpen, clean, and oil your pruners, shovels, and trowels so they’re ready for spring’s first digging.
• Winter Sowing & Seed Planning​
  • Start cold-hardy seeds indoors—think kale, pansies, and parsley—and map out next year’s planting calendar.
• Indoor Greenery​
  • Grow herbs and microgreens on a sunny windowsill for fresh flavors all winter long.
• Soil Protection​
  • Apply a blanket of shredded leaves or straw as mulch to insulate beds, suppress weeds, and feed soil organisms.
• Wildlife Support​
  • Leave flower seedheads standing and set out bird feeders or suet—offering food and shelter to pollinators and songbirds.
• Community Connections​
  • Attend local holiday plant swaps, wreath‐making workshops, or winter garden tours to share ideas and seasonal cheer.

We have added some new articles to our website. Please enjoy these articles by scrolling down our Evergreen Blooming Home page until the "Latest Articles" section.

Here are five amazing facts about Prickly Pears:

1. A Cactus Fruit: Prickly pears are the fleshy fruits of the Opuntia cactus, also called “tunas,” and grow on flat, paddle-shaped pads.
2. A Nutrient Powerhouse: They’re rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, and betalain antioxidants, which support digestion and help reduce inflammation.
3. Culinary Versatility: Eaten fresh or used in salsas, jams, ice creams, and the Mexican beverage “agua de tuna,” their sweet, melon-like flavor pairs well with citrus and chili.
4. Natural Dye Source: Cochineal insects, which live on Opuntia pads, produce a brilliant red dye (carmine), historically prized in textiles and cosmetics.
5. Drought Survivors: As succulents, prickly pears store water in their pads, enabling them to thrive in arid and semi-arid regions across the Americas and the Mediterranean.

Some Interesting Articles

Are Blue Strawberries Real? Exploring the Myth Are blue strawberries real? The image of the antifreeze-colored berry has circulated the internet for years, but it may not actually be real.... Read article

How To Grow Onions In Pots. Growing onions in pots is a great way to have fresh produce right at your fingertips. Follow these simple steps to learn how to grow onions in pots. Read article

What Do Gooseberries Taste Like? Not much is known about the delicious fruit that is a gooseberry. We explain what gooseberries taste like and what they can do for you. Read article

EGB SHOP OFFERS

As a token of our appreciation for your loyal support, we’re offering you a discounted price on all our products. Please click on our shop icon link below, choose your product, and when checking out, type the following coupon code into the order: EGB THANK YOU 25

Our good friends from City Blooming have created Sticker Packs and a Gardening and Outdoor Activities Guide. For a discounted price, please click on their shop icon link below, choose your product, and type the following coupon code into the order: CB THANK YOU 25

For more tips and in-depth guides, visit the Evergreen Blooming website. Here, you’ll find detailed how-tos on transforming your harvest into gorgeous, sustainable autumn décor and keeping your garden healthy year-round.

Our guides cover everything from cultivating your fruits and vegetables to discovering expert gardening guides and recommendations for all experience levels.

Here’s to a festive, sustainable season. May your home be warm, your table bountiful, and your garden well cared for this December! Happy gardening!

Warm Regards,

Tracy and the Evergreen Blooming Team

​Evergreen Blooming​