Gardeners have been warned they should be cracking on with three important jobs this December. As the festive season prepares to get into full swing and cold snaps appear across the UK, gardens may be slipping to the back of people’s minds.
However, there are still a few jobs to get done in your outdoor space in the final month of the year. The Royal Horticultural Society has laid out three things that should be done so you aren’t greeted by a mess come spring. They said: “Now’s the time to prune apples, pears, quinces and medlars.”
If you do have fruit growing in your garden, December is the time to make sure they are pruned. This means you should remove branches, buds or roots to improve the plant’s health, shape or fruitfulness.
You should also remove dead or diseased fruits as well as dead wood. The RHS said: “Prune apples, pears, quinces and medlars.
“Prune autumn raspberries. Prune red and white currants and gooseberries.” When pruning, make sure you use sharp and clean tools.
This can prevent stems from being crushed and the risk of infection spreading. It is best to remove the dead branches first, so then you know what you are dealing with.
The removal of dead branches can help the plant heal and provide it with the chance to grow back. You can also thin out the plant which can improve air and light flow.
Do this by removing any crossing branches where it is congested. It is your chance to shape the plant however you want, so you can change its direction or even get creative.
If there are some branches that are looking weak, it is recommended to remove those too. In December, the plants will be dormant so it is easier to see what branches are doing well or not so well.
The plant can heal quickly but it is always best to check the specific pruning requirements for each plant. Avoid over-pruning as this can cause stress for the plant.
It is recommended to not remove more than 20% of the tree’s canopy in a single year. This can also help prevent excessive regrowth.
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