Jobs For December

Mulch borders by using leaf mould or manure

Bring in Cordylines & fuchsias into the warm

Remove fallen leaves and other debris from plant borders

Improve soil drainage by adding composted bark to beds and borders

Stay warm inside and plan your vegetable plot for next year, start ordering seeds now

Harvest leeks, kale, winter cabbages & cauliflowers.

Take hardwood cuttings from gooseberry & currants bushes and start propagating in open ground

Dig up rhubarb crowns and divide large crowns into 3 or 4

If the ground has not yet frozen you can still plant out trees, shrubs & bare root hedges

Replace old rose bushes with new before the ground freezes, becareful of areas previously affected by disease

Protect newly planted trees and shrubs with a temporary windbreak

Check tree ties are secure & climbers are securely attached to stakes & structures

To keep the greenhouse frost-free use a greenhouse heater or insulation

Monitor the temperature of the greenhouse using a min-max thermometer

Lawns need little care now during the winter months

Clean up any remaining leaves with a leaf blower

Try to avoid walking on frosted lawns to limit damage to the grass

Rabbits and squirrels can cause damage to newly planted trees by gnawing at their bases,  protect using rabbit wire.

Make sure that garden structures are secure against winds & storms

Lag outdoor pipes to prevent water from freezing inside them.