December sees the shortest day of the year and the dullest grey weather with biting cold winds so it can seem like we could all do with hibernating for the month. But even though the flora and much of the fauna are fast asleep, we gardeners have a long list of chores to keep us busy.

December is the month that we generally want to put an end to all the little niggling chores that we’ve been meaning to do and to start the New Year on a clean slate.

Plants of the Month

(From Left to Right) Viburnum Bodnantense, Mahonia, Ilex, Prunus Serrula, Hedra

Things to Consider

• Winter officially begins on the 21st of December so from this date on we can begin looking forward to warmer days
• While December is a bitterly cold month, the coldest weather can generally bring calmer & drier conditions
• Frost is the biggest concern this month and frozen conditions means no gardening should be done
• Also remember that all deciduous plants are dormant
• The cold winters of 2010 & 2011 saw a number of popular garden plants getting wiped out, these included; Cordalines, Eucalyptus, Grisellinia, some Hebes, Phormiums, Ceanothus and Choisya
• Note: One thing these all have in common is they are evergreen

Things to Do

The Fruit & Veg Garden

1. Not a time for planting but a time for protecting what you’ve got. Keep winter & spring crops covered with a fleece, cloche or fleece tunnel
2. Harvest the last of your root crops before the hard frost turns them to mush
3. The ground can be too wet or frozen for any digging work – this is best left to drier & milder conditions
4. If conditions suit you can still plant bare root fruit bushes & trees

In the Greenhouse

1. Ensure the greenhouse in secured & all glass & door panels are well fixed in place
2. If you haven’t done so already you should bring tender pot plants and dahlia tubers into the greenhouse
3. Close doors, window & vents and bring in a heater to keep the cold away
4. Reduce watering of plants

Plant Care

1. If weather conditions suit & the ground is not frozen you can
2. Lift & divide herbaceous perennials
3. Prune trees & deciduous shrubs
4. Transplant small & medium sized plants
5. You can also continue to take hardwood cuttings of deciduous plants

Lawn Care

1. Again so long as the grass is not frozen you can clear fallen leaves & dispose to your compost heap (Old foliage can harbour disease)
2. Best avoid any walking on lawns where possible as you can compact the soil and damage the stressed grass

In the Garden, Beds & Borders

1. You need mulch up around the base of tender shrubs. Mulch provides insulation, moisture retention & weed control
2. If the weather suits you can continue planting in the garden. You can plant all potted or containerised plants
3. Bare season is in full swing & if you act fast you can still buy your pick of the bunch
4. You can still plant spring bulbs for seasonal colour, choose from Daffodils, Tulips, Crocus, Snowdrops & Bluebells
5. Plant a winter bed with Ericas, Cyclamen, Hellebores, Polyanthus & Pansies
6. Now is a good time to prune Wisteria, Climbing roses & Japanese Maples

General Maintenance

1. Continue to feed your birds. High energy feeds such as suet balls, fat balls or peanuts will help provide the essential nutrients in their time of greatest need
2. If you can cover over your compost pile, do so now
3. Clean paths, decking & patios to prevent the build up of moss and moulds which can create slippery surface