What to do in the garden in December

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Winter well and truly settles in during December as twinkly Christmas lights begin to sparkle in gardens and Christmas trees stand in home windows. The days are shorter, yet there are still valuable garden jobs in December to complete, so if you need some time out of the festivities, there is no better place than the garden! There are fewer jobs to do in the winter garden but a gardener’s life is never without something that can be ticked off the list, so why not make the most of your garden during December and get plenty of fresh air and a dose of nature?

Tiding and maintenance

General tidying

During winter, much of the garden is dormant, foliage has died back and trees have been pruned, making it a great time to take a look at what needs doing. Jobs to do in the garden in December include raking up leaves and fallen debris, scrubbing the patio or decking to avoid a build-up of slippery algae and moving pots or other hard landscaping that needs a shuffle around, there’s plenty to get done. 

Garden furniture

You may need to move your garden furniture to the shed or garage, perhaps a shelter space will do or if you can’t move it, investing in some weatherproof covers will help to keep furniture in good condition for use again next spring. 

Repairs 

With bare branches and empty beds, December gardening is the time to inspect garden paths, trellis supports and anything else that plants usually cover up – now is a good time to check over everything to see if anything needs repairs. It’s much easier to do this now than before they get more damaged or before plants begin to grow back again next spring.

Trees, Hedges and Shrubs

Planting new trees and hedges 

Why not treat yourself to some bare-root trees and hedging plants for Christmas? Or ask Santa for some! If the ground isn’t frozen, bare-root plants can be planted out throughout winter. It’s a great time to let them settle in and allow roots to establish before next spring. Find out how to plant bare root hedging correctly, and discover more helpful information on the Hopes Grove knowledge base page. 

Pruning

Throughout winter on a dry day, there is nothing like getting your warm gardening clothes on and feeling the cool air on your face. I truly love it! So grab your tools and give your deciduous trees and shrubs a prune. As ever, there are exceptions, so check what your plant is before pruning. Pruning in December helps with air circulation and is the time to change the shape if needed. Pruning for a fuller hedge or for a healthier plant in December gives plenty of time for the plant to recover before spring – promoting healthy new growth.

Protection

Newly planted trees and hedging plants can do with some extra protection over winter, especially in prolonged cold spells. Mulching after planting is helpful, using supports for larger, new plants to prevent wind damage and including some tree guards if you have rabbits and deer.

Lawn Care

Mowing really shouldn’t be on the list of gardening jobs for December but it has been known! Keep the mower in the shed but if it has been a very mild winter so far and the grass is too long for you, give it a trim on a high setting. Make sure the mower is cleaned before putting it back in the shed. If the lawn is compacted, aerating it is still a good idea – use a garden fork to make holes in the soil for better drainage and aeration.

Pests and Diseases

Winter Pest patrol 

Even though there are far fewer pests around in winter, it’s still good practice to keep a lookout and see what’s going on. If you do notice any issues you can get on top of them before springtime. Mostly it will likely be slugs, snails and aphids in milder conditions but they will also be food for birds!

Disease prevention

While cold weather kills off many diseases,  fungal diseases will continue to thrive in milder, damp conditions. If you spot any rot or mildew remove diseased material to prevent further spread. Ensure good air circulation around plants and if any do need watering, water into the soil not from over the top to avoid water sitting on the plants.

Stored produce 

If you have stored potatoes, be sure to monitor them for rot or disease over the colder months. The same goes for Dahlia tubers or anything else being stored over winter. Anything showing signs of rot or disease should be discarded as soon as possible so it doesn’t spread further and ruin all of your stored produce. Hessian sacks are ideal for potato storage as it allows them to breathe when stored in a cool, dark place.

Flowers, Seeds and Bulbs

There’s always a rush to get spring bulbs planted from September and there are usually a lot of gardening jobs to do in early autumn so it can be a hectic time for gardeners. However, if you still have some bulbs waiting to go in the ground after November, or you found yourself a few bargain buys in the garden centre, plant them in December! If the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged, there’s no point leaving spring bulbs in the bag. Get them in the ground!

Winter Fruits & Vegetables

Edible plants and winter fruits

Lots of trees and plants bare edible fruits throughout the winter and December can be a great time to plant bare-root Raspberry canes, apples and pears as well as many wonderful hedges with edible fruits. It’s a great way to maximise space and produce fruits to make delicious recipes with. Examples of flowering and fruiting hedges are Rosa rugosa ‘Rubra’, Crabapple and Amelanchier. Bare-root plants can be planted now as can potted plants, as long as the ground is workable. 

Harvesting

There will be far fewer vegetables compatible with growing in December,  but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any. I love harvesting in the winter months, it’s incredibly satisfying to take homegrown vegetables to the kitchen and make hearty winter dishes. Leeks, parsnips, kale, sprouts, broccoli, cabbage…there is plenty! If you do grow vegetables or would like to, don’t miss out on the winter crops so plan well ahead. Most winter vegetables taste much better after the frosts but for sustained periods of extremely cold weather, I would still recommend covering them over with some horticultural fleece. 

Clearing plant matter through December

If you haven’t yet cleared away old plants, crops and other debris – put that all on the compost pile now and on a sunny December day (fingers crossed there are some), mulch the beds with a well-rotted organic matter to provide essential nutrients for the next growing season.

Other December gardening jobs

Plant protection 

Use horticultural fleece and cloches to protect tender plants from frost damage over December and the winter months. You can also mulch around perennials and shrubs that may need a little extra root protection – this will help to insulate the soil during cold weather. 

Deadheading 

If you have winter flowering plants such as Pansies and Hellebores, keep on deadheading and removing any dead or diseased material. This will help them thrive for longer and keep on flowering at the time of year a little extra colour is most welcome.

Wildlife 

The cold weather makes it tough for wildlife. If you haven’t got bird feeders and baths, please consider putting some out, and keeping them clean and topped up. Offering garden birds high-energy food from a respected source throughout December can help them to nest & survive the cold winter months. Equally, leaving areas of your garden to grow ‘wild’ and piles of logs/stems and branches from winter pruning can provide crucial shelter for wildlife and beneficial insects. If you would like to provide a natural source of food as well for garden birds, consider planting trees and hedging that provide winter berries. 

Bring nature inside 

At this time of year, you might have a houseful of Christmas decorations but how about a stunning Amaryllis, scented Narcissus and a Christmas Cactus on show as well? Less time spent outside doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy plants. 

Happy December!