- Christmas Tree Care: Naturally, keep real trees watered to help them stay green and fire safe. Keep fresh fruits (bananas, apples, pears, peaches, avocados, melons, etc.) far away from your tree because many fruits give off a ripening gas (ethylene) that will stimulate the tree to drop its needles.
- Mistletoe & Holly (and lilies) are wonderful decorations, but the berries are poisonous to eat. Keep these decorations out of reach of cats, dogs, and children. Poinsettias and Christmas Cactus are safe options.
- Repurpose your Christmas tree after the holidays. Cut off the boughs and use them for winter mulch protection. The boughs can be laid over perennials, providing some additional protection from desiccating winds and temperature fluctuations. Place the boughs right on the snow over where the plants are or around woody stems. Alternatively, if you put the intact tree near other trees or bushes it will provide great winter shelter for small birds on cold windy nights. Do not burn Christmas trees in your wood stove or fireplace because the pine resins can accumulate and become a fire hazard.
- Caring for Poinsettias. Remove any decorative pot cover to allow drainage. Place your plant in a location with bright light (6 hours/day, or more) and temperatures between 60-70oF. Allow poinsettias to dry between watering but not wilt. The plant is ready to be watered when the soil is dry to the touch and, when the pot and plant are lifted, it is relatively light. Given favorable conditions the colorful flowers (bracts) will retain their color through the winter and the plant can grow over summer to become a flowering plant again next winter.