Thompson & Morgan - In the Garden this Month - Jobs in the garden for December

Thompson & Morgan - In the Garden this Month - Jobs in the garden for December

Thompson & Morgan offer advice for jobs in the Garden this month. Below is a list of the jobs to do in December. Don't forget to check the Thompson & Morgan page each month for the latest in the Garden article.

In the flower garden

Start to winter-prune your Wisteria, cutting back summer side-shoots to 2 or 3 buds.

Prune climbing roses now; cutting away diseased or damaged growth and tying in any new shoots to their support. Prune older flowered side shoots back by two thirds of their length.

Gather up fallen leaves from around the base of rose bushes which suffered from blackspot or rust this summer, to reduce the chance of infection next year.

Take root cuttings of oriental poppies and grow them on in cold frames.

Move containers of shrubs or bedding plants to a sheltered spot; clustering them together helps protect the root systems from suffering frost damage.

Lift and store dahlia tubers once their leaves are blackened by frost.

Harvest holly with berries for making Christmas garlands and Christmas wreaths; stand them in a bucket of water until you're ready to use them.

If you still haven't planted your tulip bulbs there is still time, so long as the ground isn't frozen.

Check climbers are securely attached with plant ties to their supports.

In the vegetable plot

Grow microgreens on your windowsill to add to salads, stir fries, and pasta dishes.

Dig over empty borders and pile manure on top - let the worms and frosts break up the clods of soil.

If you haven't already, cut down dead asparagus foliage and the top growth of Jerusalem artichokes. Order your asparagus crowns now for planting in spring.

Cover winter brassicas with netting to protect them from pigeons.

Try growing sprouting seeds on a window sill indoors for adding to salads and stir fries.

Keep fleece to hand to protect hardy salad crops such as Lettuce 'Winter Gem', winter land cress, purslane, and corn salad on cold nights.

Lift the last of your leeks and parsnips before the soil becomes frozen, and heel them in to a trench beside a convenient path. They will keep well for several months like this and can be easily brought indoors when required.

While many parts of the garden and allotment are cleared, use this opportunity to install a permanent network of hard wearing paths.

If you're looking for something to grow at this time of year try mushroom growing kits for a more unusual addition to the garden.

Try digging a trench where you will be growing your beans next year - fill it with compostable kitchen waste (not cooked food) and cover with soil again. This will rot down and improve the growing conditions for your beans.

Protect any remaining celery plants left in the soil by covering with straw or fleece.

Lift and divide established clumps of rhubarb to renew the plant's vigour. Sections taken from the outside of the plant are better than those from the centre.

Remove yellowing leaves from your winter brassicas as they are no use to the plant and may harbour pests and diseases.

In the fruit garden

Now is the perfect time to prune fruit trees to maintain an open, balanced structure and encourage quality fruit production. However plums, cherries and other stone fruits should not be pruned until the summer as winter pruning will make them susceptible to silver leaf fungus.

If you'd like to grow your own delicious raspberries next year, plant raspberry canes now whilst they are dormant.

Protect wall trained peaches and nectarines from wet winter weather which spreads the peach leaf curl fungus. Construct a screen of clear polythene positioned over the plant but not touching it.

Plant blueberries this winter for an attractive addition to the fruit garden. With pretty white flowers, delicious berries and fiery autumn foliage, these acid loving plants provide constant interest.

Prune grape vines.

Protect the tips of fig tree branches as these will carry the fruits for next year and are susceptible to frost. Cover with fleece or straw.

If your strawberry plants are over 3 years old, order some new strawberry runners to replace them. Old strawberry plants can harbour diseases and tend to lose vigour and productivity.

In the greenhouse

If you haven't already done so, clean out the greenhouse thoroughly. Wash the glass, the floor and the staging with horticultural disinfectant to kill any overwintering pests and diseases.

Propagate perennials from root cuttings including phlox, Oriental poppies and mint.

Water plants sparingly to maintain as dry an atmosphere as possible.

Plant bulbs in large pots of compost ready to fill any gaps in spring borders.

Wash and discinfect capillary matting before storing it away.

Insulate outdoor taps or turn them off at the mains. Also pack away hoses that are not required.

Brush heavy snow off of greenhouses and coldframes to prevent the glass being damaged.

Keep an eye out for aphids over-wintering on your plants, remove them by hand or use a pesticide.

Prepare greenhouse borders for next spring by working in some manure. Leave enough space to add compost later on.

Looking after your lawn

Avoid walking on your lawn when it is blanketed by heavy frost or snow, as this will damage the grass beneath.

If it's a mild winter, continue to cut the lawn if it's growing, but raise the height of the mower blades.

Spike lawns with a garden fork to improve drainage and aeration.

Keep clearing leaves off the lawn to let the light in and prevent dead patches appearing.

From your armchair

Carefully plan your vegetable garden for next year so that you ensure good crop rotation to avoid a build up of pests and diseases.

Think about ordering seeds for next year - reflect on what worked well this year and what didn't.

Take an inventory of tools and equipment that you need for next year. Add them to your Christmas list!

Order your apple trees now for planting in early spring. If space is limited in your garden try growing dwarf fruit trees.

Other jobs about the garden

Wash down all of your garden tools and give them a wipe of linseed oil on the wooden and metal areas to help prevent rusting.

Wash and disinfect bird feeders and bird tables. Clean out bird baths too.

Hang fat balls and keep bird feeders topped up to attract birds, who will in turn eat pests in your garden.

Build or buy a compost bin.

Continue to collect fallen leaves and add to leaf bins or compost bins to rot down.

After pruning your fruit trees use the twigs for pea sticks or shred them and add them to your compost bin.

Spread fresh gravel or grit around alpine plants.

Get rid of slimy patches on the patio and paving by scrubbing with a broom or blasting with a pressure washer. For an easy alternative try a liquid patio cleaner.

Plant bareroot native hedges to encourage wildlife and create attractive boundaries around your garden.

Repair fences and apply a wood preservative to prevent them from rotting.

Choose a dry day to clear out the garden shed in preparation for the spring.

Check tree ties and stakes to ensure that trees are still secure following strong autumn winds. Tighten or loosen ties if necessary.

Make a pile of old logs in an undisturbed corner of the garden to provide shelter for toads and other wildlife.

Cover compost bins with a piece of old carpet or some plastic sheeting to prevent the compost becoming too cold and wet to rot down.

Check the security of your shed. This is particularly important in winter when you visit it less often.

There is still time to clean out water butts before they fill with fresh rain water over winter.

Prune Japanese Maples (Acers) and vines now if needed, as they will bleed sap if pruning is done any later.

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