WHAT TO DO IN YOUR ENGLISH GARDEN IN DECEMBER

As December arrives, many gardeners might think their work is done for the year, but in reality, the garden still requires attention. While the landscape is transitioning into winter dormancy, there are several essential tasks to carry out that will ensure your garden remains healthy through the cold months and is ready to thrive when spring comes. Here’s a guide to gardening in December, complete with practical tips to keep your outdoor space in shape during the winter chill.

Protecting Tender Plants from Frost

December can bring some of the coldest weather of the year in the UK, and frost can be particularly damaging to tender plants. If you have plants that are not frost-hardy – such as dahlias, fuchsias, or tender perennials – you’ll want to take steps to protect them from freezing temperatures.

Practical Tips:

– Cover plants with frost fleece or horticultural fabric to provide a layer of insulation. This can be draped directly over plants or used to cover plant pots.

– If you have pots of tender plants, bring them indoors or into a sheltered location like a shed, garage, or greenhouse. If moving them isn’t an option, group pots together in a sheltered corner, wrapping the pots in bubble wrap to insulate the roots.

– For more delicate plants, consider using cloches, or build temporary covers with clear plastic to trap heat during the day, but be sure to ventilate the plants during the day to avoid condensation build-up.

Tidy Up Fallen Leaves

Leaves may have finished falling by December, but they still need to be dealt with. While leaving fallen leaves can provide a natural mulch for the soil and a shelter for wildlife, a heavy layer of wet, matted leaves can smother grass and other plants, leading to rot

Practical Tips:

– Rake up fallen leaves regularly, especially if they’re in areas where you want to protect the grass or flowers. You can compost them or shred them to create leaf mould, which is a valuable soil conditioner.

– If you’re unsure about what to do with leaves, use them as mulch around shrubs or trees, where they will gradually break down and provide nutrients for the soil.

– Alternatively, leave some piles in quiet corners of your garden to offer shelter for insects and other wildlife, such as hedgehogs, who will hibernate in the layers of leaves.

Winter Lawn Care

While your lawn is likely dormant in December, it still benefits from a bit of winter care. Cold, wet weather combined with foot traffic can damage your grass, so it’s important to treat your lawn with care.

Practical Tips:

– Avoid walking on your lawn when it’s frozen or waterlogged. Heavy foot traffic can damage the grass and compact the soil, making it harder for the grass to grow in spring.

– If your lawn is looking a little sparse or worn out, consider applying a winter lawn fertiliser with a high potassium content to help the grass survive winter and encourage stronger growth in the spring.

– Give your lawn a final mow before the frosts arrive. Set the mower blade to the highest setting, as cutting too short can expose the grass to frost damage.

Prune Dormant Trees and Shrubs

December is an excellent time to prune many deciduous trees and shrubs, particularly those that have already shed their leaves and are in a dormant state. Pruning now will help your plants conserve energy during winter and encourage healthy growth when the weather warms up.

Practical Tips:

– Focus on removing dead, diseased, or damaged wood to prevent the spread of disease. Cut back any crossing or inward-growing branches to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration.

– For fruit trees, such as apple and pear, prune to shape the tree and remove any branches that may rub against one another, which can cause injury.

– Avoid heavy pruning of spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia, lilac, and magnolia, as this could reduce the display of flowers next season.

Clean and Store Garden Tools

Winter is the perfect time to take care of your gardening tools, so they’re ready for action when the growing season begins again. Cleaning and sharpening tools now can extend their life and make them much easier to use in the spring.

Practical Tips:

– Clean your tools by removing soil, rust, and plant material. Use a wire brush to scrub off any stubborn dirt, then soak metal parts in a solution of warm water and vinegar to remove rust.

– Sharpen any cutting tools, such as secateurs, shears, and spades. You can use a sharpening stone or file for a fine edge, which will make your tools more efficient and safer to use.

– Once cleaned and sharpened, store your tools in a dry, frost-free shed or garage. You can also rub the metal parts with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly to prevent rusting over the winter.

Feed Birds and Wildlife

As natural food sources become scarce in winter, your garden can be a vital lifeline for wildlife, particularly birds. Helping them through the cold months ensures that they remain healthy and active, and can return to nesting in the spring.

Practical Tips:

– Put out high-energy foods such as sunflower seeds, suet cakes and fat balls. These foods are packed with calories that help birds stay warm and sustain their energy during cold snaps.

– Consider planting evergreen shrubs and trees, such as holly or ivy, which provide shelter and food in the form of berries through the winter months.

– Also, ensure that water is available for wildlife. In freezing temperatures, birdbaths can become frozen over, so check them regularly, and if they’re frozen, replace the water with fresh, non-frozen water.

Plan for Spring

December is a great time to plan for the next growing season. Take a moment to think about any changes you want to make to your garden, whether it’s new plantings, different garden layouts, or adding new structures like raised beds or a greenhouse. Maybe put them on your Christmas wish list?

Practical Tips:

– If you’re planning to add new plants or redesign parts of your garden, make sketches and jot down ideas to ensure you’re ready when the planting season begins in early spring.

– If you’re feeling inspired, start sowing some hardy seeds indoors—such as sweet peas or hardy annuals—so they’ll be ready to go outside in the spring.

Conclusion

While December might seem like a quiet month in the garden, there are many important tasks that will help prepare your space for the coming months. Whether it’s protecting tender plants, providing food and shelter for wildlife, or planning ahead for spring, the steps you take now will ensure that your garden remains healthy and thriving throughout the winter and ready for a fresh start in the new year. Take advantage of the winter lull to get your garden ready for the exciting growth that’s just around the corner!