“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Hamilton Wright Mabie.

“The season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial fire of charity in the heart.” Washington Irving.

“Happiness is a journey, not a destination.” Ben Sweetland.

The days of December are passing so very quickly with Christmas Day only 16 days away. Amongst the various Christmas parties, the college bowl games will be starting on the 15th, the high school football title games are this week in The Benz, basketball is in the air, the official winter season begins on the 21st, and cold weather is here. With so many things to keep us busy and occupy our time, let’s be reminded of the real reason for the season – the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

As we find ourselves in the routine of making those last-second purchases (on-line and in-store), the hurriedness and stress involved can play its toll on any person. Remember the 20-20-20 guideline as you search the web for those special deals – every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to focus on something 20 feet away to help keep your eyes safe and minimize screen damage to them. Our world is so different from all previous generations,

Amongst all this activity, find some space, relax, and simply enjoy a peaceful moment with the Good Book and a cup of hot coffee or hot green tea. Focus on the real reason for the season. Refuel and re-energize, then proceed with your plans with all the passion that you can generate.

Soon the decorative lights of December will be retired for yet another season and the new year will be greeting us as we turn our attention to chores and activities surrounded by post-holiday stress. As you collect your thoughts and begin to plan your during- and after-Christmas schedule, think about your outdoor surrounds. Think about what you would like to do in your lawn and landscape for personal enjoyment.

The days following Christmas season can be very promising or they can be very stressful, intimidating, boring, and sad. You get to decide how you want these days (late December and early January) to be! Be passionate in your decision! As you continue to enjoy the cooler weather and search for things to do, reserve some time to think about spring planning.

Late December and early January is the time for planning your landscape activities for the late winter and spring. Research your plant, flower and seed information online for those items that attract your attention and can thrive in this area. Think in terms of native plants and sustainability strategies. Give some thought to how you plan to make design changes in your landscape and place these thoughts on paper.

If you are planting new plants, space them according to their average height and spread. Avoid a hodgepodge of colors and make an effort to group plants of a single color for greater emphasis and more effective color depth. Arrange color groups in a design which offers complimentary qualities, greater accent to the site, effective emphasis and color contrast without developing smorgasbord results.

To reduce the incidence of camellia petal blight, keep faded flowers removed and rake fallen blossoms away from the plants and properly dispose. While plants are in bloom, water regularly. If scale insects are detected on the underside of the leaves, spray with a recommended insecticide. Always read label directions before any purchase or application.

It is not too early to think about an herb garden. Decide which plants you want to grow this spring, and start the seeds in pots or flats, or simply buy seedlings at a later time. Among the easiest to grow from seeds are basil, caraway, dill, lavender, parsley, summer savory and thyme. A sunny window is an excellent location for your flats. Plants started now will be ready for transplanting outdoors in March and April.

Established beds of pansies will benefit from application of complete fertilizer. Apply a 5-10-10 or similar fertilizer at a rate of ½ cup per square yard of planting bed. Make any placement and arrangement changes insuring that the plants are being established on 4-inch centers.

When planting ornamental trees and shrubs this winter, remember that soil preparation can mean the difference between success and failure. Dig large planting holes at least twice as wide and 1½ times in depth as the planting ball or root stock. Keep watered during this season, especially on days when stress potentials are increased.

When choosing a location for new shrubs and trees, consider that a current sunny spot in the garden may be an area of deep shade later in the season. The sun’s path changes and deciduous trees leaf out which impact the amount of light received at a given spot or location. However, many ornamentals like shade including azaleas, camellias, dogwoods, sourwoods, cape jasmines (gardenias), spireas, mahonias, and leucothoes.

Since the plants will be under stress from cooler temperatures of winter, the lack of proper moisture creates additional stress. Irrigate when rainfall is scarce, and mulch plants with pine straw or similar material to conserve soil moisture and protect the plants from the cold.

A weed is a plant growing where it is not wanted, or out of place. Some trees are weed trees including cherry laurels, mimosas, boxelders, willow oaks, sweet gums, redbuds, among others. These frequently propagate in nature from seeds distributed at random throughout the landscape. Remove these young plants before they reach any measurable height to insure ease of removal and to prevent your spouse from developing a likening for said plants. Do not use any invasive plants in your landscape. Think native plants.

Start a new CHRISTmas tradition in your family. Beginning now, read the Book of Luke in the Bible. There are 24 chapters, so read chapters 1-9 now, and then read a chapter a night. Thus, on CHRISTmas Eve, you will have read an entire account of Jesus’ Life and wake up on CHRISTmas morning knowing Who and why we celebrate. Amen!

May the results of your holiday efforts be photo opps and memory-makers for seasons to come. Select awesome seasonal plants for the upcoming holidays. Enjoy the Christmas lights in your area. Also, plan a road trip to enjoy Christmas lights with all that splendor and beauty of the season.

As you receive blessings, always pay them forward. Pay for a stranger’s meal the next time you are eating out! Let’s keep everyone safe and secure while we enjoy this CHRISTmas season. Enjoy the holiday bowl games while you cheer for your favorite teams. May your decorating efforts provide you with an atmosphere filled with ornamental appeal and spiritual contentment this season. A very Merry CHRISTmas season to all and to all, Happy December activities with family and friends! Make it a December to remember! Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, Jennifer, on the 13th and our lovely daughter, Autumn, on the 17th!

[Jesus said,] “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25. When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.” John 8:12.

Seagle is a Sustainability Associate, Golf Environment Organization (Scotland), Agronomist and Horticulturalist, CSI: Seagle (Consulting Services International), Professor Emeritus and Honorary Alumnus (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College), Distinguished Professor for Teaching and Learning (University System of Georgia) and Short Term Missionary (Heritage Church, Moultrie). Direct inquiries to csi_seagle@yahoo.com.