December is one of the quietest months for northern gardeners, but there are still a few things to keep plant people busy. Here are five garden chores for December:

Set out some holiday greenery

If you have not already, consider putting out a pot of greens, pine cones, red twig dogwood or whatever else suits your fancy to add a little cheer to the neighborhood.

Short on funds? Try scavenging from your yard for greens and dried flowers. Short on time? Our Discount Partners create stunning holiday containers, windowboxes and more. Contact one near you for a beautiful porch pot.

While you are at it, how about buying a poinsettia or a big, beautiful amaryllis to bloom around the New Year.

Make notes for next year

All the successes and challenges of the past season are fresh in your mind. Now is a great time to sit down and make some notes about plants you want to move, which seeds worked and didn’t and where you want to add some shrubs or trees for winter interest. (Hint: What window do you look out most?) Stash your notes somewhere you are sure to find them and set a reminder on your phone or calendar to look at them in April.

Buy seeds

Wait a minute! Isn’t this a January chore? If there’s a particular tomato you love to grow or an annual that is tops on your list, consider buying your seeds a bit earlier than usual to beat the rush.

Plan next year’s garden

On that note, take some time and walk around your yard thinking about what you want to do next year. Take a few measurements and photos, if your renovation plans are big. Use online tools like Canva to help you visualize your space.

Keep an eye on your houseplants

With the heat blazing and dry house air abundant, your houseplants may feel stressed. Don’t overdo the watering and avoid fertilizing most houseplants in winter, but check the leaves and branches for signs of scale, mites or other pests and diseases.

If you spot something suspicious, put the plant in quarantine, and research the best methods for dealing with the pest or disease. This university website has lots of information on houseplant diseases and pests. Tending to houseplants will be one of your most important garden chores for December and the rest of winter.

Install plant protection

Is there a tree or shrub the bunnies, squirrels or other pests love to destroy? If you have not already, consider giving it extra protection with a ring of chicken wire. Add this to your list of December garden chores.

Harvest boughs for decor

If you have good sized evergreens or dogwood or willow shrubs, consider harvesting a few boughs for your holiday decor. It’s a great way to save money on decorations.

Buy a winter bulb

I started doing this about five years ago, and nothing takes the edge off of January (other than a trip south) like amaryllis or narcissus (paperwhite) bulbs. These are very easy to grow. You pot them up, put them in a sunny window and wait 4 to 6 weeks. Soon you have a stalk growing and then a beautiful, sometimes fragrant flower. Now that’s a December garden chore we can all enjoy!

Stock up on your winter garden reading

It could be a long winter, so now is a great time to stock up on some books to enjoy during the down time.

A few we have been reading and enjoying lately include Digging and Delighted: How to Live Your Best Gardening Life by Carol Michel—a humorous, heart-warming and honest guide to gardening—and Winterland: Create a Beautiful Garden for Every Season by Maine-based garden designer Cathy Rees.

Planning to take the next step with your veggie garden? Northern Gardener contributor Meg Cowden’s book on succession and companion planting, Plant Grow Harvest Repeat: Grow a Bounty of Vegetable, Fruits and Flowers by Mastering the Art of Succession Planting, is a big favorite among staff and members.

One last garden chore for December is to rest and relax. One of the joys of our northern climate is that the weather gives us permission to slow down. Enjoy that gift.