As the year draws to a close, there are still some jobs to do in the garden during December.
As we approach the shortest day of the year, daylight hours will be limited, but here are our top gardening jobs for this month…
In the fruit & veg garden
Lift and divide established rhubarb plants
This helps to rejuvenate the plant and encourages vigorous new growth, it also will help keep diseases at bay.
Prepare your ground
If you’re growing beans next year, dig a trench ready and fill with kitchen waste and re-cover with soil.
Remember to prune your fruit trees
With the exception of plums, cherries and other stone fruits, now is the perfect time to prune fruit trees to keep a good open shape and encourage quality fruiting next year.
In the flower garden
Keep your climbing roses looking fresh
Prune climbing roses between now and February by cutting older flowered side shoots back by two thirds.
Maintain your wisteria plants
Prune wisteria, cutting back summer side shoots to 2 or 3 buds.
Lift dahlia tubers
Lift and store dahlia tubers once the leaves are blackened by the frost.
In and around the garden
Be mindful of your lawn
Avoid walking on your lawn when there is snow or frost laying on top as this damages the grass
Ensure Birds are kept energized
Feed the birds, especially with high energy food such as suet balls, and make sure they have access to fresh water.
Keep your watering equipment in good shape
Bring all watering equipment such as hoses and water timers indoors so that they don’t freeze and split.
