December is very nearly here and temperatures are dropping. Even though it’s not as pleasant to be out in the garden in the winter months, it’s still important to keep on top of it.
Paul Parker, a gardening expert at plants and bulbs specialists J. Parkers says there are five key tasks that need to be done in December. Doing these tasks now will help keep your garden healthy and happy through the winter and give you a better chance of a lush green space next year. From planting to pruning, there’s plenty to keep you occupied.
Frost protection
With temperatures continuing to drop, it’s crucial to protect your plants from frost. If left unattended, frost can kill plants. To protect them, Paul says there are a couple of options.
He said: “To safeguard your plants from harsh weather, apply a layer of organic mulch around their base. This will help retain moisture, prevent frost damage, and suppress weeds. Organic mulches include composted bark, woodchip, straw or leaves. These materials decompose over time, adding extra nutrients to the soil.
“Heavy snow can also be a problem for the garden. After a period of heavy snow, shake or knock branches with a broom to prevent damage from the weight of any build up during particularly bad bursts of winter weather.”
Plant spring bulbs
Although autumn is the best time to plant spring bulbs, if you missed that window you can still get them planted in December. Flowering bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips can still be planted but you may need a slightly different method.
Paul said: “As long as the ground isn’t frozen solid, you may still be able to plant them in your borders. Don’t worry if you have not planted your spring bulbs yet; I often plant spring bulbs in December (if there are any left to plant) without any detriment to the results.”
Pruning
December is a great time to give your shrubs a good hard pruning. Deciduous trees and shrubs fall dormant in winter, so it’s the perfect time to cut them back.
Paul said: “Doing this now while the branches are still bare will make it a lot easier to see what you’re doing.
Do not prune any evergreens or tender plants in December as they are susceptible to silver leaf disease, which is a fungus that infects wood through wounds.”
Look out for wildlife
Natural food sources for animals grow more scarce in the winter months, so it’s a great time to put extra out for the birds. If you are going to feed birds, try and offer them high fat options like seed and suet, as well as fresh water.
Paul said:” Make sure you don’t neglect these during the winter months, as they can quickly become frozen or full of debris.
“Little piles of wood can also help wildlife as they become crucial shelter or nutrition for all kinds of creatures in bad weather.”
Harvest for Christmas
If you planted vegetables in the spring, some of them will be ready to harvest by December.
Paul said: “December is the time to harvest your Christmas vegetables such as leeks, parsnips, sprouts, cabbage, and root crop plants planted earlier this year. Most root vegetables are best lifted in the days before the 25th or stored in damp soil. A plateful of homegrown veg is sure to impress your friends and family.”
Make sure, as you’re lifting the veggies, that you check for any signs of rot and remove any afflicted produce before it spreads to the rest of your food.
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