Style Observer Gardening (SOG) continues to deck the halls — and hedges — offering essential advice on making your garden merrier this season with help from Plantology 876 principal Stacy Thompson.

With Christmas mere days away, the focus turns to garden maintenance specifically tailored for the holiday season. Although careful garden maintenance is a year-round commitment, Thompson focuses on specific tips essential for gardeners to spruce up spaces and maximise appeal for the holiday season.

Watering Wisely: As December transitions into the dry season (which lasts until May), Thompson stresses the heightened importance of proper hydration. She advises gardeners to water plants in the early mornings — this timing is key to ensuring the roots absorb sufficient moisture before the heat of the day causes evaporation. Aim for one inch of water, dedicating extra focus to highly vulnerable container plants, palms, and first-year trees.

Mulching: To ensure plants thrive through the season and beyond, mulching (applying a protective layer around the soil) is key. Using materials such as coconut husk, grass clippings, or banana leaves helps lock in essential soil moisture, keeps roots cool, and significantly reduces weeds.

Pruning: As part of seasonal maintenance, give plants a refresh. Thompson advises gardeners to deadhead faded blooms and prune trees and shrubs, removing any dead or weak branches. This essential tidying process is crucial, Thompson explains, as it encourages new flowers to blossom beautifully for the holidays.

Compost and Fertilise: While providing plants with essential nutrients remains crucial through the holidays, a specific rule applies: Fertiliser should be applied lightly. This strict moderation is key to avoiding weak growth and preventing risk of burning roots through overfeeding. Additionally, add compost to refresh flower beds.

Pest Control: Thompson warns that pests won’t take a holiday break. She advises gardeners to perform daily checks and treat immediately to keep plants healthy throughout the season.

Common Holiday Garden Mistakes

Gardeners often fall victim to making key mistakes around the holidays. To ensure you don’t fall into these common traps, Thompson outlines the most frequent errors — and, crucially, how to avoid them while successfully making your Christmas garden merry.

Overwatering Poinsettias: As the key holiday staple, poinsettias need special attention. Thompson points out that overwatering is a common mistake and advises gardeners to allow soil to dry slightly between applications to get the best results.

Using Only Red Plants: While red is the quintessential holiday colour, it is by no means the only shade that can be utilised. Thompson encourages gardeners to experiment with different hues, suggesting combinations of white, silver, and green to achieve the perfect festive balance.

Neglecting Lighting: Don’t let the garden disappear at night! Failing to use lighting means a crucial opportunity for a dramatic evening display is missed. Use warm solar or LED lighting to strategically illuminate features and make Christmas gardens truly pop in the evenings.

Buying Plants Without A Plan: Avoid short-term thinking when shopping for holiday plants. Thompson reminds gardeners that purchasing flora solely for Christmas neglects the chance to invest in other suitable year-round options. She advises selecting plants that will contribute to the long-term layout and beauty of the space.

Ignoring Soil Quality: Supplying the right nutrients is crucial for a plant’s long-term survival and sustained growth. The solution? Compost-rich soil, which is recommended not only for great results; but specifically for better, more abundant blooms.

Be sure to join SO Gardening next week as we share more tips to make your garden merrier this holiday season and beyond.

Treat your garden to a festive touch-up! Be sure to deadhead faded blooms and prune away any dead or weak branches. This simple maintenance encourages fresh, new flowers to flourish for the holidays.

While providing plants with essential nutrients remains crucial, always apply fertiliser lightly and sparingly. This is vital to prevent weak growth.

Stacy Thompson principal, Plantology 876 (Photo: Stacy Thompson)

Mulching is key to maintaining plant health, offering triple benefits: It locks in soil moisture, keeps roots cool, and greatly reduces weeds. (Photo: Gonzalo Ferres)

To create a stunning holiday display, incorporate lights to make your garden stand out