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.

General Tasks

Vegetables & Herbs

Fruit

The Flower Garden

The Greenhouse

Containers

Trees & Shrubs

Hedges

The Lawn

Wildlife and the Pond

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