Gardening Jobs for December

As temperatures start to plummet you may be tempted to do a spot of armchair gardening, which is a fantastic idea, but there is still plenty to do in and around the garden to prepare it for next season.

Clearing old crops, pruning and replacing nutrients in the soil will require some cold-weather winter wear, whereas planting herbs can be done in the comfort and warmth of the home or greenhouse.

It is the season to be jolly, so take time to relax. If you want to remain active in the garden, great, but it can also wait until the new year too!

The big clean up:

• If you haven’t already, build or buy a compost bin to recycle good, organic garden waste. Old pallets make a good frame for a homemade compost bin.
• Clear old crop beds and fill that compost bin! If you want to speed up the compost process, add an accelerator such as Compost Maker. 
• If your roses had black spot last year, be careful to remove the leaves and discard. Do not put diseased leaves into the compost bin.
• Birds and wildlife need extra help during winter, so make sure any feeders or water baths are clear of debris or crawling bugs. Clean with a Greenhouse Disinfectant to help remove surface dirt.
• Protect pots by moving them indoors or put them together in a sheltered area when the weather conditions get very cold.
• Empty any old seed trays and clean ready for next year.
• Remove leaves and debris from gutters.
• Send lawn mowers and tools to be serviced.
• Check trees and large bushes and shrubs that need support. Repair garden stakes and secure plants to prevent wind damage.

Prune, plant and feed:

• December onwards is a great time to prune fruit and ornamental trees to control shape, as well as bushes and some flowers such as climbing roses and wisteria.
• Hard prune hedges whilst dormant.
• Protect trees from aphids, spider mites and scale insects by applying a Winter Tree Wash. Bugs tends to nestle into a tree’s bark for winter and lay eggs for spring. Winter Tree Wash will remove both bugs and eggs, preventing infestations which can affect crops.
• Stop crawling insects in their tracks and protect trees further from infestation by applying Fruit Tree Grease or Tree Bands. Both can be applied direct to the trunk or stem. 
• Plant bare root roses and trees.
• It is never too early to replenish the nutrients lost in the soil. Turn over soil beds and add homemade compost, or a good organic soil conditioner such as 6X Natural Fibrous Fertiliser.
• Keep brassicas and winter vegetables, such as Kale, covered with netting to protect against pigeons.
• Harvest winter root vegetables.

Lawns:

• Whilst we tend to leave the lawn alone for much of winter, rake any leaves regularly to prevent damage to the grass underneath.
• Spike lawns for aeration and improve drainage.
• Where possible, stay off the lawn as much as possible, especially if covered in frost or snow.

In the Greenhouse:

• If you haven’t already, thoroughly clean the greenhouse with Greenhouse Disinfectant.
• Check overwintering dahlias tubers and bulbs for rot and remove.
• Check the heaters are working and any taps and pipes are insulated against the frost.
• Keep a keen eye out for aphids and remove!

In the home:

• Plant herbs, such as dill and mint, in a pot and place on the windowsill. Not only will they smell amazing, but you will be able to pick fresh herbs throughout winter.
• Deadhead indoor plants such as azaleas and ensure you don’t over water.
• Move houseplants into the window to get the most of the sunlight, but avoid areas with a radiator.
• Fill your home with festive flowers such as poinsettia to get you in the festive mood!

Now is the time to pull up a chair and relax. Flicking through seed catalogues for next year or recording this season’s successes and failures will help shape plans for next year. If you are talented enough to make Christmas wreaths, the garden has plenty to offer in terms of twigs and berries, which look lovely with holly and other flowers.

How much you do in the garden in December is your choice, there is always January.  We hope you all have a lovely festive break and look forward to 2022!