December gardening guide
Don your warmest coat and gloves and head out into the garden for those essential pruning and digging jobs that need to be done in December. At this time of year, preparing for winter's harsh elements is of the utmost importance but once everything is in place, you can relax and plan for next year's garden in the warmth and comfort of your home during longer evenings and the Christmas holidays.
Checklist
- Ensure all of your winter protection structures are secure enough to withstand hard weather
- Check that your greenhouse heaters are working well
- Avoid walking on your lawn in heavy frost or snow
- On a dry day, clear out your garden shed ready for spring
- Insulate outdoor taps
- Stand potted plants together in shelter to offer protection
- Now is a good time to give alpine plants fresh gravel
- Harvest Holly for your Christmas decorations and stand them in water until needed
- Take root cuttings of Oriental Poppies
- Brush snow off evergreens, climbers and weaker plants to help them keep their shape
Planning
- Plan your vegetable garden for next year to ensure good crop rotation
- Think about which flower and vegetable seeds you will sow next year, taking into account this year’s performance
Planting
- Propagate perennials from root cuttings taken in later summer/autumn
- Add interest to the fruit garden this winter by planting blueberries
- Plant up hardy evergreens such as Ivy, Cyclamen and Skimmia into winter containers
Maintenance
- Continue to remove fallen leaves from lawns and borders and add to your compost heap
- Improve clay soil by incorporating organic matter such as composted bark or well-rotted manure
- Protect newly panted hedges from wind and cold by using a temporary windbreak
- Turn your compost heap and cover over to ensure rotting continues through wet and cold weather
- Thoroughly clean your greenhouse with disinfectant to keep pests and diseases as bay
Top Tips
Your garden is full of bright stems and berries that can be used for Christmas displays, start collecting them now!
Pruning
- Winter-prune your Wisteria by cutting summer side-shoots down to two or three buds
- Prune climbing roses by cutting away bad growth and tying in new shoots
- Prune Acers, Birches and Vines to avoid bleeding sap
- Apples, pears, quinces, Autumn Raspberries and gooseberries should be pruned now
Wildlife and pests
- Refill your bird feeders with peanuts and hang fat balls to attract birds
- Aphids may be overwintering, keep an eye out for them and use your preferred method of control
- Protect bark from gnawing deer and rabbits with a tree guard
- Keep topping up bird baths with fresh water, especially in freezing conditions
Harvesting
- Continue to harvest turnip, swedes, parsnips, celery, Brussel Sprouts and beetroot
