Gardening Chores - December

December:

December brings the shortest days and some of the coldest weather. Without outdoor work at a minimum, this is the perfect time for some fireside garden planning for next year by looking through catalogues and researching new plants. Focus on winter interest, from evergreens to hellebores and continue to care for wildlife by providing food and water.

In the Flower Garden

Mulch your borders with leaf mould or well-rotted manure to insulate plant roots and keep weeds at bay.
Bring tender plants like fuchsias and cordylines into a warmer, frost-free location like a greenhouse or conservatory.
Remove fallen leaves and other debris from your plant borders to prevent disease.
You can improve soil drainage in your beds and borders by adding composted bark.

The Vegetable Plot & Orchard

The vegetable plot is quiet this month, but you can still harvest winter crops like leeks, kale, winter cabbages, and cauliflower.
Take hardwood cuttings from gooseberry and currant bushes and plant them in the open ground to grow new plants.
Dig up and divide large rhubarb crowns into three or four pieces to get new plants.
Now is a great time to stay warm inside and plan your vegetable plot for next year. Start ordering your seeds now!

Trees, Shrubs & Hedges

If the ground has not yet frozen, you can still plant out trees, shrubs, and bare-root hedges.
Replace old rose bushes with new ones before the ground freezes, but be careful of areas previously affected by disease.
Protect newly planted trees and shrubs with a temporary windbreak.
Check that tree ties are secure and that climbers are firmly attached to their stakes and structures to withstand winter storms.

Lawns

Your lawn needs little care now, but you should clean up any remaining leaves with a leaf blower.
Try to avoid walking on frosted lawns to limit damage to the grass.

Pest & Animal Control

Protect newly planted trees from rabbits and squirrels by using rabbit wire to prevent gnawing at their bases.

In the Greenhouse

To keep your greenhouse frost-free, you can use a greenhouse heater or insulation.
Monitor the temperature of your greenhouse using a min-max thermometer to ensure your plants are kept at a safe temperature.

General Garden Maintenance

Make sure that all your garden structures are secure against winds and storms.
Lag outdoor pipes to prevent water from freezing inside them and causing them to burst.