December Gardening Tips from Jo

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Garden expert Jo says there’s more to do in the garden in December than you think!

When December arrives you might give a sigh of relief that your work in the garden is done for the year. But just before you hang up your gardening gloves, there are still quite a few tasks to do. In fact, spending time out in the garden on a cold, crisp day can be a real treat.

Here are a few ideas of winter jobs to put on your list.

Winter pruning

When it starts to get really cold plants become dormant. This is a good opportunity to do some winter pruning to encourage growth next season. Plants to prune include hybrid teas, floribundas, shrub roses and climbing roses, Group 3 clematis, fruit bushes and ornamental deciduous trees.

Now’s the time to winter prune your wisteria. Cut any whippy side-shoots back to two or three buds. You can also prune any plants that have grown overlarge to give them a better shape and size for next season. This is easier to do once the leaves have fallen.

Protect your flower pots

  • Hydrangea flower heads can look quite attractive, but they also protect the plants from frosts, particularly any buds that are already showing.
  • For any winter containers, choose Skimmia ‘Rubella’, Ivy and evergreen grasses to create a pretty seasonal display. Add some violas, pansies and cyclamen for additional colour.
  • If you grow oriental poppies you can take root cuttings and grow them on in your cold frames.
  • You can still plant tulips if you haven’t yet. They often do well when planted in December’s colder weather.
  • Don’t overlook winter flowering shrubs. Choose plants such as Mahonia ‘Winter Sun’ with its upright sprays of fragrant, bright yellow flowers or Sarcococca ‘Winter Gem’ with fragrant white flowers.
  • In readiness for next year, dig over empty beds and borders and put well-rotted manure on top. You don’t have to dig this in, the worms and cold frosts will break it up for you.

Protecting your vegetable plants

  • Place netting over winter brassicas to protect them from being nibbled, particularly by hungry pigeons. Take off any yellow leaves beforehand to avoid pests and disease.
  • For celery growers, cover any remaining plants with fleece or straw.
  • Prepare the soil for next year, for example by digging a trench and filling it with compostable kitchen waste. Dig the soil back over and the waste will rot down and be the perfect place to grow beans next year.
  • If you are still growing salad plants outside, be ready to cover them with fleece ahead of frosty winter nights.

In the greenhouse

  • If you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse this is the perfect time to give it a thorough clean. A good wash will help to remove the threat of pests and disease.
  • You can also ventilate the greenhouse on mild December days. This also helps to prevent disease as well as reducing humidity.
  • Should you spot aphids, remove them by hand.
  • Prepare for next season by working in manure to greenhouse borders.

Winter Lawncare

  • Walking across a lawn when it’s covered in frost will damage the grass so try to avoid this whenever possible.
  • You can mow the lawn if the weather is mild to keep it tidy and neat, but choose a higher setting for the mower blades.
  • On a dry day remove worm casts.
  • You can improve lawn drainage and aeration by spiking it with a fork.
  • Keeping clearing those leaves!

Wildlife

  • Clean and disinfect bird feeders and bird tables, and clean bird baths.
  • Fat balls are a good source of energy for birds over the winter. Look for a specific winter mix for you bird feeders.
  • A pile of logs and branches in a quiet corner of the garden will provide a safe haven for different types of wildlife including beetles and toads.

General tips

  • Put your pots into a sheltered spot to protect shrubs and bedding plants from frost damage. Group them together to keep your garden looking tidy – this also helps protect the root system.
  • Insulate outdoor taps with an insulated protector or cover, or turn them off if you have an isolation valve. Put hoses in the shed to protect from frosts.
  • Give your garden shed a tidy up. You should also check the locks to ensure security.
  • Clean garden tools and wipe them with a little linseed oil to stop them from rusting.
  • Patios can get slippery at this time of year, so if it’s not freezing you can get your pressure washer out and blast the slime away!
  • Check and repair fencing. Apply a wood preservative to protect fences from rotting.

As you can see, there are certainly plenty of jobs you can do even in December. Remember to wrap up warm and have regular cuppa breaks. Of course this is also the month for festivities and family. Do as much as you can, but the garden can always wait until January!

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