What to do in December

Well – what a month November was. Torrential rain, flooding on an unprecedented scale and violent gales; a torrid, horrid month the back end of which we were all delighted to see!

In contrast December can be wonderful. Watery winter sunlight and frosts highlight the structural beauty of a bare garden - a rich source of natural decoration to compliment the stunning Christmas decorations we have in every centre.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

Now is the time to catch up on the boring repair and maintenance tasks that have been avoided all year!

Protect pots and taps from frost by wrapping insulation around them. Bubble wrap is ideal and probably in plentiful supply if you are ordering Christmas presents over the internet!

Clear paths of moss and lichen, treat timber with preservative, repair fences, check sheds and walls (but avoid any concreting until there is no chance of frost), clean and insulate greenhouses (that bubble wrap again!) and ensure heaters are working properly. Even a little insulation will make a huge difference to your heating bill.

Clean and repair your garden tools and clock the lawn mower in for a service. New tools are always a welcome present, as are new gardening gloves.....especially good quality ones.

Carry on digging over beds and borders and incorporate as much organic matter as you can. Forking over not only helps prepare the soil for next year, it helps reduce pests by exposing them to hungry birds.

Clear debris – this is vital to prevent slugs and snails from setting up home in those lovely warm and damp conditions! Make leafmould out of fallen leaves - they will rot down into fantastically fertile matter after a year (2 for oak leaves). Store wet leaves (they must be wet to rot) in large black plastic sacks forked with holes or piled into a chicken wire container or similar. Failing that, add them to the compost heap.

Take care not to let leaves accumulate around alpines – they will die if left damp for long. Cover bare patches around clumps with gritty compost to encourage regrowth.

DON’T FORGET THE BIRDS

This month harsh weather can set in and birds will really need our help – make sure clean water is available and that after a frost it does not remain frozen. Buy good quality bird food and fat or suet balls, ensure feeding stations are well out of the way of cats and enjoy the company of our feathered friends throughout the winter!

TREES, SHRUBS, CLIMBERS

If the soil remains workable, it is not too late to plant a hedge – try hawthorn for a natural look or laurel for a dense glossy appearance.

Hardy shrubs can still be planted as long as wet mild weather persists. Rhododendrons and camellias make excellent Christmas presents – if your soil is unsuitable (alkaline), the centre has a great choice of elegant pots. Don’t forget the ericaceous compost.....

Prune woody and ornamental plants, trees and bushes. Remove dead, diseased or damaged wood but only where necessary; many plants (acers, birches and vines) ‘bleed’ a huge amount of sap where wounded so keep pruning to a sensible minimum. Prune tall rose bushes if you haven’t already done so to prevent wind rock damage. Sharp new secateurs and loppers......a gardener’s dream!!

Hedge control is on the agenda this month – plants are dormant now so it is easy to bring unruly hedges into line. Taper the bottom to be slightly wider than the top to help prevent damage should it snow heavily.

CUT SHOOTS AND BRANCHES FOR WINTER DECORATION.... IF YOU HAVE HOLLY BERRIES NET SOME OF THEM FOR CHRISTMAS OTHERWISE THE BIRDS WILL HAVE THE LOT. SECURE NETTING FIRMLY TO PREVENT BIRDS BECOMING TRAPPED IN LOOSE FOLDS.

Make a Christmas wreath using evergreen sprigs from your garden, decorations such as berries and fir cones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and wide, wired ribbon.

LAWNS

If the weather allows, repair holes and tatty patches in your lawn. If it is waterlogged, as most will be after the November deluges, or even frozen try and avoid walking on it - damage is easily inflicted!

FLOWERS AND CONTAINERS

Put bark chips around hellebores to protect the delicate blooms from rain splashes.

Look out for grey mould (botrytis) on spent herbaceous plants – this fungal disease can spread like wildfire so remove all infected growth and burn.

Bring in any tender plants that are not already in shelter.

CONTAINERS

Raise containers onto feet or bricks to protect them from wet and cold and lag them with bubble wrap, hessian or fleece if not frost proof. If the weather turns really cold even hardy plants may need protecting so stock up with insulating material in case of a cold snap.

Remove debris regularly to prevent pests from taking up residence and brighten up dull pots and containers with winter pansies and cheery cyclamen.

A prettily planted winter container is a wonderful present – try pink heather surrounded by cyclamen and trailing variegated ivy.

Buy Christmas and winter houseplants such as poinsettia, orchids, indoor cyclamen and azaleas for gorgeous colour that will brighten the gloomiest of days.

KITCHEN GARDEN

FRUIT TREES AND BUSHES

Plant fruit trees and bushes as long as the soil is neither too wet nor frozen.

Prune established apple and pear trees (not those grown against a wall) – keep the centre of the tree fairly open to allow air to circulate freely which helps avoid disease. Ensure any crossing and rubbing branches are cut out – open wounds will only encourage disease. If you are unsure about how to prune, please ask for advice at the garden centre.

Check stored fruit and throw out any that show the slightest sign of rotting to avoid ruining your entire crop.

What could be nicer for a fruit lover than a couple of trees or a fruit bush or two...........

VEGETABLES

Harvest leeks, Brussels sprouts (from the bottom upwards), carrots, parsnips (after a frost) and winter cabbages.

Earth up winter brassicas to help protect them from wind – if your sprouts are very tall it will pay to cane them. Remove yellow leaves as these encourage fungal disease.

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