DECEMBER
DECEMBER is time to PROTECT plants & wildlife, PREPARE for indoor plants and decorations and for the holidays.
CHECKLIST OF KEY TASKS FOR DECEMBER:
PATIOS & BORDERS
Move pots of tender plants inside or close to the house walls.
Dead-head pansies, violas and cyclamen to encourage more flowers.
The autumn sown sweet peas should have the tips pinched out after the second pair of true leaves open.
Make sure containers and pots do not dry out.
Check and repair fences.
TREES & SHRUBS
Cut stems of winter flowering shrubs to force into flower indoors.
Good subjects include witch hazels, Lonicera fragrantissima, Viburnum fragrans, forsythia and even lilac.
Dormant trees and shrubs can be moved now. Minimise root disturbance to increase chance of success and help re-establishment.
Fork over borders and dig in some manure or fertilizer.
PLANTING & PRUNING
Plant roses, fruit trees and bushes. Transplant trees and shrubs that loose their leaves in winter now.
Continue planting if the ground is not too wet or frozen.
Prune out old wood to rejuvenate shrubs. Vine and wisteria pruning can be completed now.
BULBS
Move potted 'prepared' hyacinths into warmer rooms to gradually force them into flower in time for Christmas.
If they are coming on too fast move them back into the cool again.
If there are bulb shoots already appearing outside in the garden, they are very tough and will generally survive very low temperatures.
However, bulbs in thin sided plastic pots will need to be sheltered from hard frosts. Daffodils in pots seem to be particularly prone to this.
It's not too late to plant tulips.
Plant up amaryllis bulbs inside. Use a soil based compost and water very sparingly to start with. As flowers and leaves appear, give more water.
FRUIT GARDEN
If you haven’t already done so, prune raspberries, (except autumn fruiting varieties, due in March), blackberries, loganberries and other hybrid fruits now.
Cut out all old stems that bore fruit this year.
Cut out any weak spindly shoots and tie in the strong new shoots that are left. Give them a good feed with a sulphate of potash.
Blackcurrants can be pruned if they were not done in the summer.
Also keep a look out for any swollen buds which are infected with big bud mite and remove them.
Prune apples and pears to improve their shape, encourage younger growth, remove disease and control the amount of fruit bud they have.
See the advice for pruning apples and pears from the RHS:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profile?pid=90
Don't prune fan, espalier and cordon trained trees as these should be pruned in summer.
Blueberries grown in pots should be protected by moving in to the garage or greenhouse or by wrapping the post in hessian or bubble wrap.
Vines should be pruned before Christmas if possible. If pruned late the sap will often be running and they will 'bleed'.
Forcing of established rhubarb crowns can be started towards the end of the month, pack with straw and cover with a forcing pot or upturned bin.
You can still plant fruit trees and bushes if the weather and ground conditions are not frozen or waterlogged.
VEGETABLE GARDEN
Stake or ‘earth up’ Brussels sprouts to protect them against the wind.
Protect vegetables from pigeons with netting.
LAWNS, HEDGES & PATHS
Remember not to walk on the grass when frozen.
THE GREENHOUSE
Check that greenhouse heaters are working properly (having a minimum/maximum thermometer helps).
Open the greenhouse ventilators to encourage good air movement during mild weather.
Always remove dead leaves and flowers regularly as this is often where disease starts.
INDOOR PLANTS
Christmas Trees:
Cut a little off the bottom of the trunk before standing it in water as the end often becomes sealed.
All cut trees should be kept outside, standing in water to ensure that the tree remains fresh until you take it inside.
If you are buying a living Christmas tree, makes sure it is ‘container grown’.
If recently ‘containerised’ they will retain their leaves longer but will eventually die.
Poinsettias;
These are ideal for modern, centrally heated homes; they like warmth and do not like draughts.
Do not over-water; water when the leaves start to wilt and the compost feels dry.
Azaleas:
Azaleas need lots of water, preferably rain water.
Try giving them cold tea occasionally.
They will tolerate lower light and temperature levels.
They will also tolerate draughts. Repot into lime free compost in the spring.
Cyclamen:
Water from the bottom of the pot, when the leaves begin to wilt.
Keep in a cool place with good light.
Remove yellowing leaves and fading flowers from the base.
SOIL
Digging can be done whenever the weather allows and remember to dig in any organic matter.
PONDS
With shallow water features it may be advisable to remove the pump before the onset of hard frost.
Give it a good clean and check wiring so that it is ready to use again in spring.
If you leave it in and switched on, raise it off the bottom to avoid disturbing hibernating wildlife.
WILDLIFE
Provide clean water for birds especially in frosty weather.
Feed the birds regularly so that when the cold comes, they know where to get food easily.
Feed robins, blackbirds, thrushes and wrens and tits with freeze dried mealworms.
Niger seed is loved by siskins, gold and greenfinches.
DECEMBER GARDEN CHORES:
CHECKLIST OF KEY TASKS FOR DECEMBER:
- Protect patio pots and move them close to house walls.
- Continue to force hyacinths ready for Christmas.
- Indoor plants include amaryllis, azaleas, cyclamen and poinsettias .
- Choose your Christmas tree carefully.
- Check and repair fences.
- This is the last chance to prunes canes and fruit trees if not done already.
- Prune vines.
- Move blueberries in to a sheltered spot or even the garage to protect from severe cold.
- Feed the birds and encourage robins.
- Don’t forget to disconnect outside hose and lag the outside tap.
PATIOS & BORDERS
Move pots of tender plants inside or close to the house walls.
Dead-head pansies, violas and cyclamen to encourage more flowers.
The autumn sown sweet peas should have the tips pinched out after the second pair of true leaves open.
Make sure containers and pots do not dry out.
Check and repair fences.
TREES & SHRUBS
Cut stems of winter flowering shrubs to force into flower indoors.
Good subjects include witch hazels, Lonicera fragrantissima, Viburnum fragrans, forsythia and even lilac.
Dormant trees and shrubs can be moved now. Minimise root disturbance to increase chance of success and help re-establishment.
Fork over borders and dig in some manure or fertilizer.
PLANTING & PRUNING
Plant roses, fruit trees and bushes. Transplant trees and shrubs that loose their leaves in winter now.
Continue planting if the ground is not too wet or frozen.
Prune out old wood to rejuvenate shrubs. Vine and wisteria pruning can be completed now.
BULBS
Move potted 'prepared' hyacinths into warmer rooms to gradually force them into flower in time for Christmas.
If they are coming on too fast move them back into the cool again.
If there are bulb shoots already appearing outside in the garden, they are very tough and will generally survive very low temperatures.
However, bulbs in thin sided plastic pots will need to be sheltered from hard frosts. Daffodils in pots seem to be particularly prone to this.
It's not too late to plant tulips.
Plant up amaryllis bulbs inside. Use a soil based compost and water very sparingly to start with. As flowers and leaves appear, give more water.
FRUIT GARDEN
If you haven’t already done so, prune raspberries, (except autumn fruiting varieties, due in March), blackberries, loganberries and other hybrid fruits now.
Cut out all old stems that bore fruit this year.
Cut out any weak spindly shoots and tie in the strong new shoots that are left. Give them a good feed with a sulphate of potash.
Blackcurrants can be pruned if they were not done in the summer.
Also keep a look out for any swollen buds which are infected with big bud mite and remove them.
Prune apples and pears to improve their shape, encourage younger growth, remove disease and control the amount of fruit bud they have.
See the advice for pruning apples and pears from the RHS:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profile?pid=90
Don't prune fan, espalier and cordon trained trees as these should be pruned in summer.
Blueberries grown in pots should be protected by moving in to the garage or greenhouse or by wrapping the post in hessian or bubble wrap.
Vines should be pruned before Christmas if possible. If pruned late the sap will often be running and they will 'bleed'.
Forcing of established rhubarb crowns can be started towards the end of the month, pack with straw and cover with a forcing pot or upturned bin.
You can still plant fruit trees and bushes if the weather and ground conditions are not frozen or waterlogged.
VEGETABLE GARDEN
Stake or ‘earth up’ Brussels sprouts to protect them against the wind.
Protect vegetables from pigeons with netting.
LAWNS, HEDGES & PATHS
Remember not to walk on the grass when frozen.
THE GREENHOUSE
Check that greenhouse heaters are working properly (having a minimum/maximum thermometer helps).
Open the greenhouse ventilators to encourage good air movement during mild weather.
Always remove dead leaves and flowers regularly as this is often where disease starts.
INDOOR PLANTS
Christmas Trees:
Cut a little off the bottom of the trunk before standing it in water as the end often becomes sealed.
All cut trees should be kept outside, standing in water to ensure that the tree remains fresh until you take it inside.
If you are buying a living Christmas tree, makes sure it is ‘container grown’.
If recently ‘containerised’ they will retain their leaves longer but will eventually die.
Poinsettias;
These are ideal for modern, centrally heated homes; they like warmth and do not like draughts.
Do not over-water; water when the leaves start to wilt and the compost feels dry.
Azaleas:
Azaleas need lots of water, preferably rain water.
Try giving them cold tea occasionally.
They will tolerate lower light and temperature levels.
They will also tolerate draughts. Repot into lime free compost in the spring.
Cyclamen:
Water from the bottom of the pot, when the leaves begin to wilt.
Keep in a cool place with good light.
Remove yellowing leaves and fading flowers from the base.
SOIL
Digging can be done whenever the weather allows and remember to dig in any organic matter.
PONDS
With shallow water features it may be advisable to remove the pump before the onset of hard frost.
Give it a good clean and check wiring so that it is ready to use again in spring.
If you leave it in and switched on, raise it off the bottom to avoid disturbing hibernating wildlife.
WILDLIFE
Provide clean water for birds especially in frosty weather.
Feed the birds regularly so that when the cold comes, they know where to get food easily.
Feed robins, blackbirds, thrushes and wrens and tits with freeze dried mealworms.
Niger seed is loved by siskins, gold and greenfinches.
DECEMBER GARDEN CHORES:
- Drain all hosepipes and store in the shed.
- If not done already, protect outside water taps with bubble wrap, toweling or straw.