Choosing a Tree:

First decide where it will go and measure the space... then measure again. Don't forget to measure your stand as well.

Make sure that the tree you choose will fit in your space and inside your stand. Whittling the sides of a tree's trunk to make it fit a too-small stand will interfere with its water intake, as well as making the tree less stable. Also check to be sure the tree has a tall enough 'handle' (the area bare of branches at the bottom) that you won't need to trim bottom branches off to put it in the tree stand. Allow a couple of extra inches so that you can make a fresh cut.

The most important consideration in choosing a cut tree (outside of finding one you like) is to find a fresh tree. Some techniques:

• Bend several needles. If they bend and bounce back, the tree is probably fresh. If they break or don't bounce back, it probably isn't.
• Shake the tree or bounce it on the ground to see how many needles drop. Some needles will fall naturally but if they fall like rain, the tree may be dried out.
• You can also feel the bottom (cut portion) of the tree. If it feels damp and full of sap, the tree is fresh (note: this technique can be negated by people bouncing the tree off the ground).

Caring for Your Fresh-Cut Tree:

If you will have to carry your tree home on top of your car or in some other exposed place, bring along a tarp to wrap it up and protect it from wind damage, and tie it securely.

When you get the tree home, make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk (cut off about 1/2" perpendicular to the trunk). If you will not be setting it up immediately, put it in a pail of water and store it away from heat and sunlight.

Before putting the tree inside, you may want to give it a good shaking to dislodge any loose needles.

Also be sure your stand will hold enough water. You'll need, daily, about one quart per inch of trunk diameter (a 2" wide trunk would take a half gallon per day). You probably won't want to be adding water more than once per day, so make sure your stand holds enough!

By this time of year, many people are running out of gift ideas. Well, if you have a gardener (or a potential gardener) among your friends and family, we have a few ideas for you!

For already enthusiastic gardeners:

You can always buy a plant for your gardener. But that's too easy — let's be a little more creative.

If you know a fellow gardener who would like food plants but just can't resist those beautiful flowers and decorative plants, plan a decorative food garden for them! Many vegetables and herbs have lovely flowers or foliage. Ornamental kale, for instance, is often grown simply as an ornamental but it is both pretty and nutritious. Many herbs have not only pretty flowers but also edible flowers! Plan and design the garden, give the seeds (or plants if your gardener is in an area of the country where winter planting is just starting) and add some little personal extras.

Some herbs grow well inside, too; you might also consider designing a decorative herb planter for the kitchen. Pretty, and nicely fragrant as well!

A gardening book can rarely go wrong. You might want to buy them something about some aspect of gardening that they haven't tried yet. Do they have limited space? Perhaps a book on bonsai would be the thing.

For the potential gardener:

Small children like an excuse to get dirty. Get them a small planter and some seedlings and let them 'grow their own' garden. Outside, if you can, but don't rule out an indoor planter. But do be cautious about an indoor planter unless you are the parent or the parent is also an enthusiastic gardener. It's the gardening equivalent of giving a set of drums.

What looks like a butterfly, but is really a plant?

In winter, many of our plants are sleeping--except the Christmas cactus, with its profusion of butterfly-like flowers. Native to mountainous tropical rainforests, it must not be treated like an ordinary cactus. Christmas cactus likes cool weather, indirect light and a regular watering regimen.

Because it doesn't need direct sunlight, it makes a great indoor plant. It can even adapt to low light conditions but you will get more blooms if you put it in a brighter area. Direct sunlight may cause leaf burn, so keep it indirect.

With colors such as fuchsia, metallic rose, purple, apricot, white, gold, or red, the Christmas cactus will give you beautiful butterfly flowers indoors — especially in winter.