Beauty in Winter Have you noticed how some building owners change out their plants all year long to provide color? One of my favorite places is the building that has Starbucks in it in Marble Falls. Mrs. Kara Stewart and her husband own the building and Kara is the plant person. I have seen her on her hands and knees planting those fun Faceless Pansies and other colorful plants. What a Blessing they are to the folks as they pass by on their way to get theirLatte’s. Thank you Kara for your time, energy, and your eye for the right plants to bring joy to the rest of us.Got Berries?That would be Ashe Juniper (Cedar) berries. If you want a homeopathic remedy and you have cleared it with your doctor, then relief is on the way. Several years ago Betty Branch of Bertram shared her relief recipe with me and I have been sharing with you all the readers of this column ever since. The recipe is simple; collect and clean a half of cup of berries place in a saucepan one and a half cups of water, bring to a boil cover and remove from the heat till it has cooled to room temperature. After the solution has completely cooled then put the entire ingredients into a jar and secure it with a top and place into the refrigerator. Each morning take a teaspoon. I put ours in our fruit juice. It is easier to take that way. Unlike some medications this works the same day and each day is better. If the season is exploding around you take two teaspoons that day. The male tree is the culprit and the saving grace is the female. Yes, ladies once again you all come to our male egos rescue, and we thank you for that. The male trees are really loading up and soon will be exploding their pollen into the atmosphere to attack those of us who are allergic to the pollen. The time is now to collect and prepare the tea. I still think it is going to be a light to none existent season for “Cedar Fever”, however, if I miss it then you will need the information above. Sue Kersey if you are having a problem just let me know and I will deliver some berries to you.December DutiesAs of this past week with the freezes throughout the Hill Country, now is the time to prune those Oak trees and other trees. Warning: Do not prune the fruit trees yet that will be after the first of the year. When you start pruning always remove the dead limbs first so you can asses the total damage. If the limb you are removing is over two inches in diameter then use some sealant. Also, remove any limbs that are interfering with power lines, roof of your home etc.Now is the time to plant those bulbs we put in the refrigerators back in September.If you have finished mowing and trimming your yards it is time to prepare the equipment for winter storage. Run all the gasoline out of your equipment so that your gasoline does not get bad and clog carburetors and gas tanks for next spring. This goes for all those tools, trimmers, lawnmowers, tillers and the chainsaws when you are finished for the season. On my place I am never through with my chainsaws, I attack Ashe Junipers all year long.Seed Catalogs arriving Daily Oh boy, it is that time of year again. Today it is cold and wet (Yea) and a perfect day to sit in front of a roaring fire in the fireplace and read seed catalogs. Here the fun begins in designing out gardens for next year. More than ever this year, I am looking to purchase drought resistant plants. Here are a few of the catalogs that have organic and heirloom seeds; gourmetseed.com, gardenharvestsupply.com, seedsofchange.com, highmowingseeds.com, botanicalinterest.com, naturalgardening.com, americanmeadows.com, anniesheirloomseeds.com and of course there are other seed companies. Christmas TreesIf you are going to have a real Christmas tree this year, think about getting one of the varieties that grow here and have a tree to plant in January. Ask the nursery for the ones that grow well in your area. There are about four or five that have been acclimated to our Texas Hill Country. They make great trees for the birds and landscape. By the way it is a Christmas tree not a holiday tree. Remember the Reason for the season is Jesus Christ.Till Next Month! Keep your souls and your soles in your garden!Remember the True Master Gardener: Jesus said, “I am the vine; my Father is the Gardener.” John 15:1Have questions or comments? Contact Bill Luedecke at The Luedecke Group Realtors, P.O. Box 1632, Bertram, TX. 78605 (no Post Office in Oatmeal) or email bill@texasland.net. For additional gardening web sites, go to his web site; www.TexasLand.Net and click on links.