Gardening: Let plants help you celebrate the holidays

Christmas trees and Christmas greens have been used in many northern cultures for centuries as part of winter festivals long before they became important parts of our Christian Christmas celebrations.

In many cold northern cultures they reached a point of mid winter where they had survived many weeks or months of hard freezes, snow and ice and were tired of being shut up in their homes or shelters. It became important to cut branches or even whole bushes or trees of evergreens like pines, hollies or junipers to bring color, life and pleasant fresh scents into the winter home.

Over time, Christians adopted these symbols and activities as part of our holiday experiences and tradition. Although many have resorted to artificial trees or greens it is hard to match the experience of going to the woods, if you own your own woods, or visiting a Christmas tree farm and selecting and cutting your own fresh Christmas tree.

The family experience of doing this together can be a lifelong family memory. We have at least 5 nice Christmas tree farms in the metro area where you can cut or dig your own Christmas tree and many others around the state. If you don't have time to do the whole Christmas tree farm experience you can visit your local nursery or garden center to select a pre-dug living Christmas tree. Many nurseries also offer fresh cut trees or locate other Christmas tree lots in your neighborhood.

If you select a cut Christmas tree, you should make a fresh cut of the base stem as you put the tree in your Christmas tree stand, fill the stand with fresh water and you can add a Christmas tree preservative or polymer to help keep the cut tree hydrated. Make sure to check and refill the water every few days or as needed.