Holiday-Ready: Fresh Starts, Festive Displays and Winter Prep

You can feel the holiday rush when retailers phase out Halloween aisles and stock up on holiday decor, and after the time changes and days grow shorter.

Every year, the holidays seem to creep up sooner. This seasonal state of mind fast-forwards production for commercial growers, who support retailers with live greens, fresh-cut trees, and decorative plants. Meanwhile, event planners, garden centers, and homeowners are diving into seasonal displays, tablescapes, and winter décor — or tweaking and refreshing the ones they created earlier in the month to sustain the season.

We like to think of December as the perfect blend of planning ahead and celebrating the moment. Whether you’re prepping soil for spring baskets, keeping live trees hydrated through New Year’s, or creating dazzling indoor snow scenes, these tools and tips will help you kick off the season in style.

Get a Head Start on Spring: Container Prep for Growers

Yes, we’re already thinking spring. For commercial growers, December offers a crucial window to begin preparing for early container plant production. Root development during cool-season propagation sets the tone for healthier, fuller containers and hanging baskets come spring. Using water-saving polymers now can make all the difference later.

Soil Moist Granules blended into propagation mixes help maintain consistent moisture and reduce plant stress while young roots establish. By storing water and releasing it gradually, polymers support uniform growth and give growers a margin of protection during unexpected warm spells or dry periods inside the house.

Seasonal Smarts: Looking for an easy incorporation method? Many growers mixSoil Moist Transplant directly into containers for a combination of polymers and mycorrhizae. It’s a convenient, season-extending way to strengthen root systems.

Keep Live Christmas Trees Fresh — Less Watering, More Celebrating

Fresh-cut trees drink heavily in the first few days, and they need reliable moisture to stay green through the holidays. Whether you’re maintaining hundreds of trees on a retail lot or decorating at home,Tree Moist Plus is a non-toxic polymer for tree stands that helps reduce watering by up to 50% and minimizes needle drop.

A single one-ounce pack treats a one-gallon stand. Add it after making a fresh cut on the trunk and placing the tree in warm water. Within 24 hours, the gel will swell and begin releasing moisture steadily to keep the tree hydrated.

Seasonal Smarts: If you’re displaying balled-and-burlapped trees indoors, limit the time they spend inside and water daily or useSoil Moist Spikes to keep the root ball evenly moist without constant monitoring. When the time comes to plant outdoors, prepare the hole before the ground freezes, work inSoil Moist Transplant, and mulch well for winter protection.

Snow Real: Instant Winter Magic

There’s something about snow that makes the holidays feel magical, but you don’t need the real deal to infuse a sense of spirit into interior arrangements, store displays, and centerpieces. Whip up your own snow flurries withSnow Real instant decorative snow. Add one ounce of the mixture with two quarts of water and see how it transforms into fluffy, shimmering snow that brightens displays without melting, dripping, or making a mess.

Snow Real is non-toxic, refreshable with a mist of water, and ideal for:

Store displays
Holiday parties
Centerpieces and mantle décor
Floral and candle arrangements
School projects and STEM crafts

Seasonal Smarts: Check out packaging in 1-ounce bags, 8-ounce jars, and 5-pound pails to scale your snow for a variety of projects, from home decorating to large-scale events.

5 Cool Ways to Use Snow Real This Holiday

Create a Winter Tablescape Runner: Spread Snow Real over a mirror or foil down the center of the table, then tuck in votives, pinecones, and greenery for a snowy, reflective glow.
Add a Snowy Layer to Store Shelves: Garden centers and gift shops sprinkle Snow Real along shelving and around product groupings to create instant winter ambiance.
Elevate Silk or Dried Arrangements: Place Snow Real on plastic wrap beneath candles or stems for a soft, glistening base that adds depth and texture.
Build Mini Snow Scenes for Kids: A tray, a few figurines, and a scoop of Snow Real = instant entertainment. Mist occasionally to keep it fluffy.
Give Holiday Photos a Snow-Dusted Look: Photographers and party hosts use Snow Real around props for sparkle without the melt.

Seasonal Smarts: Looking for more ways to use Snow Real? Borrow some ideas with Ideas with Mr. J. Schwanke.

Celebrate Now, Plan Ahead

December is a culmination of living in the moment and thinking about what’s next. We’re here to help you make the season more efficient and festive — and less stressful, whether you’re working in the greenhouse, staging a commercial space, or decorating at home.

Looking for additional ideas or support? We’re here to help you grow into the new year and beyond. Reach out anytime — and enjoy a bright, beautifully hydrated holiday season.

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