What to do in December

In December, winter sets in across the UK and gardening slows down considerably. However, it’s still a good time to prepare for the upcoming spring and maintain the garden, even though the weather is colder:

Things to do in December:

Feed the birds in cold weather.
Prevent ponds, water features and bird baths freezing over.
Continue winter digging incorporating organic material into the soil.
Repair lawns, sheds and fences when the weather conditions allow.
Prune woody ornamental plants, fruit trees and bushes, ornamental vines and grape vines.
Shake snow off trees, shrubs and hedges.
Reduce watering of plants that are overwintering under cover to avoid the risk of rotting.
Winter-flowering houseplants will need attention but avoid overwatering dormant pot plants.
Lift and heel in celery so that you have plenty of winter supplied.
Earth up brassica stems to help support them to reduce wind rock.

Last Chance:

Protect plants and pots that are vulnerable to frost damage.
Insulate garden taps and exposed pipes to stop them from freezing.
Prune tall bush roses to guard against wind rock.
Bring in Christmas bulbs for flowering.

Getting Ahead:

Sow pelargonium seeds under cover.
Sow some early crops under cover for the first plants to put out in the new year.

The Weather

Cold, with frequent frosts and the chance of snow. Average day time temperatures ranging from 4°C to 7°C and night time temperatures between -3°C and 0°. Frost and snow are common and daytime temperatures rarely rise much above freezing during cold spells.
December is typically quite wet, with high rainfall, often falling as rain or sleet.
Very short days, with limited sunshine. Cloudy skies and grey weather dominate.

Here’s a detailed checklist of what to do in the garden during December, broken down into categories for clarity. December is mainly about winter protection, minimal maintenance and planning for the next season.

General Tasks

Clear debris:	Remove any fallen leaves, twigs and plant debris from flower beds, paths and lawns. This helps prevent fungal diseases and keeps the garden tidy.
Protect tender plants:	If you haven’t done so already, make sure frost-sensitive plants are protected. Use fleece, horticultural covers or cloches to cover tender plants, especially if frost is forecast.
Check garden tools:	Use this quieter time to clean, sharpen and maintain your garden tools. Store them in a dry place to prevent rust and damage during the colder months.
Prepare for snow or frost:	Make sure plants that could suffer from extreme cold, like tender shrubs or plants in containers are adequately protected. Apply mulch to root zones for insulation.
Plan for spring:	Use this time to plan your spring garden. Review your garden layout, decide on new plants to try and order seeds and plants for the upcoming season.
Hard landscaping:	This is a good month to consider landscaping jobs such as installing raised beds, paths, compost heaps etc.

Vegetables & Herbs

Harvesting:	You should still be able to harvest winter vegetables like Brussels sprouts, leeks, kale, cabbage and parsnips. Root vegetables like carrots should be lifted before the ground is frozen, parsnips can remain in the ground.
Sow seeds indoors:	You can start sowing early vegetables like broad beans, onions and lettuce in pots or trays indoors, to give them a head start for planting out in spring.
Protect over-wintering vegetables:	Cover overwintering vegetables like cabbages and leeks with fleece or cloches to protect them from severe frost.
Watering:	Ensure that any indoor vegetable or herb plants (such as herbs growing on windowsills) are watered sparingly during winter to avoid root rot.

Fruit

Plant fruit trees:	December is a good time to plant bare-root fruit trees, such as apples, pears and plums. Ensure they are planted in a sunny, well-drained spot.
Prune fruit trees:	Now that fruit trees are dormant they can be pruned, particularly apple and pear trees. Remove dead or damaged wood and shape the tree to allow light and air into the centre.
Check stored fruit:	Check your stored fruit regularly for signs of rot and remove any affected fruit to prevent it spreading.

The Flower Garden

Prune roses:	Now is a good time to prune roses, especially if you haven’t done it in autumn. Cut back any dead or diseased growth and shape the plant to ensure strong growth in spring.
Plant winter bedding:	Consider planting winter bedding plants like pansies, violas or primroses to provide a splash of colour through the winter months.
Protect tender plants:	If you have tender perennials or shrubs in pots, move them to a sheltered spot or cover them with fleece. Consider adding extra mulch around the base of hardy plants to insulate the roots.
Mulch flower beds:	Apply mulch around perennials and other plants to protect them from the cold, suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.
Plant spring bulbs:	If you haven’t already, plant spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocuses and hyacinths. Ensure they’re planted in well-drained soil at the correct depth.

The Greenhouse

Ventilation:	On milder days, open the greenhouse vents slightly to prevent condensation and reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Keep the temperature stable but avoid extreme fluctuations.
Sowing:	If you're planning to sow early crops like tomatoes, peppers, or aubergines, now’s the time to start them indoors or in heated greenhouses to give them a head start for the spring.
Watering:	Water greenhouse plants less frequently as the days are shorter and plants are not actively growing. Be sure the plants have proper drainage to prevent root rot.
Protect plants from frost:	Use bubble wrap, horticultural fleece or an electric heater to keep greenhouse temperatures above freezing. Check temperatures regularly to ensure they don’t drop too low.
Clean the greenhouse:	Use the quiet winter months to clean the greenhouse, including the glass or plastic, shelves and pots. This helps reduce the spread of diseases like powdery mildew and aphids in the new growing season.

Containers

Watering:	Keep watering container plants, but do so sparingly to avoid waterlogging. Ensure that pots have good drainage.
Protect from frost:	Move frost-sensitive plants into a sheltered spot or wrap containers with fleece or bubble wrap to prevent freezing.
Check drainage:	Ensure containers are not sitting in water during freezing weather, as this can damage the roots. Elevate containers slightly off the ground if necessary to avoid water pooling.
Replant for winter interest:	Consider planting winter-flowering plants such as cyclamen or winter pansies in containers to provide colour and interest through the colder months.

Trees & Shrubs

Pruning:	Winter is a good time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs that are dormant. Cut out dead or diseased wood and remove any unwanted branches to shape the plant.
Protect tender plants:	If you have tender trees or shrubs, ensure they are protected from frost by covering them with fleece or burlap or moving them into a sheltered location.
Mulch trees:	Apply a thick mulch layer around the base of trees and shrubs to help insulate their roots from frost and to prevent moisture loss during dry spells.
Check trees stakes and supports:	Check that any tree stakes and supports are secure, especially for young trees, to prevent damage from wind or heavy snow.

Hedges

Trim hedges:	You can trim evergreen hedges like boxwood, yew and holly in December, but avoid trimming deciduous hedges too late as this can encourage new growth that may be damaged by frost.
Protect hedges from frost:	If your hedge contains tender shrubs, protect them with fleece or other coverings to avoid frost damage.
Mulch hedges:	Apply a layer of mulch around the base of hedges to protect their roots from the cold and retain moisture in the soil.

The Lawn

Mowing:	Grass growth slows down in December, so you may only need to mow the lawn occasionally if the weather allows. Keep the mower blades high to prevent stressing the grass.
Remove fallen leaves:	Continue to remove leaves from the lawn to prevent them from smothering the grass. Rake or use a leaf blower to keep the lawn clear.
Feeding:	Apply a winter lawn fertiliser with high potassium to help strengthen grass roots and prepare the lawn for the cold months. Avoid fertilising in frozen conditions.
Aerating:	If the soil hasn’t frozen, you can aerate the lawn to improve drainage and root health. This is particularly useful if the lawn has become compacted.

Wildlife and the Pond

Clear debris:	Remove fallen leaves and debris from the surface of the pond regularly to prevent them from decomposing and affecting water quality.
Check water levels:	Ensure the water level is adequate in the pond, particularly if there’s a risk of freezing. You may need to top up the pond with rainwater if levels are low.
Protect fish and wildlife:	If you have fish or other pond wildlife, make sure the pond is not frozen solid. Use a floating deicer or heater to keep a small area of the pond ice-free for oxygen exchange.
Cut back pond plants:	Cut back any dying or decaying foliage from pond plants, leaving healthy growth. Remove any dead leaves that might fall into the water.
Prepare for winter:	If you have plants that are frost-sensitive, you may want to move them to a more sheltered spot or cut them back for winter dormancy.

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