Jobs to do in the garden in December

Getting out in the garden may not be at the top of your to-do list this December, but if you want bumper crops and blooming borders next year, there are a few essential jobs to do this month to keep your garden growing over winter. 

The good news is, they’re quick and easy – and enjoyable. After all, a breath of fresh air is good for your physical and mental wellbeing at this time of year, and you’ll also be doing your garden wildlife a favour, too. 

So grab a pair of gardening gloves, a good pair of secateurs and a woolly hat, and earn yourself a mince pie or two with these essential gardening jobs for December.

1. Harvest your winter crops

Homegrown veg elevates any meal, particularly your festive feast, and if you’ve got root crops ready – parsnips, carrots, celeriac – keep your eye on the weather. Consider digging them out of the ground and heeling them into a trench before the ground gets frozen - they can keep for several months like this.

Homegrown veg are vulnerable to weather damage. Strong winds wreak havoc among tall stems of Brussels sprouts and sprouting broccoli, so tie into sturdy supports, placed on the windward side for protection. 

Cauliflowers and cabbages hate hate root disturbance from gales that rock them or frost heave that lifts surrounding soil. Firm them back into the ground with your boot and pull up extra earth around their bases with a trowel to anchor them.  

Protect cauliflower heads from browning in frost by tying the outer leaves over the heads to fully cover them until you’re ready to harvest.

And If you haven't already protected hardy salad crops and remaining celery with fleece, then what are you waiting for?

2. Prune your apples and pears

This is the best time to prune apple trees. Once all the leaves have dropped they may need some pruning to get them in shape for next year. (Wall trained varieties do not need pruning now.)

Start by removing all diseased, damaged and dead branches. Cut out very low branches that don’t get much light, crossing branches (which rub and damage themselves and others) and any that are growing into the centre of the tree. You’re trying to create space at the centre in order to open up the tree.

Shorten very long stems by a third cutting to an outward facing bud, and remove any thin shoots coming from the trunk.

3. Cut back fruit canes and bushes

For bigger harvests next year, prune autumn-fruiting raspberries and red or blackcurrants now – it’s a quick but effective job, and the ideal escape from festivities. Cutting back now in their dormant season removes weaker stems, supercharges growth hormones for spring and boosts fruit production.

Simply cut raspberry canes to the base, between now and February, to stimulate new growth on which next summer’s fruit emerges.

Prune currants to open up the centre, allowing better airflow and encouraging young shoots. Remove the oldest growth, usually stems that produced fruit this year, plus any that rub and cross, to the ground. Leave five to seven younger, sturdy stems to bear currants next year.

4. Give birds a helping hand

Just as we change our winter diets to heartier fare, birds need extra nourishment to boost energy levels and protect against the elements. It’s a race for small birds, in particular, as they need to eat a third of their bodyweight each day.

If you feed birds the same seed mix year-round, enhance it this month to a fat-based diet. Choose feeds rich in oils, such as sunflower hearts and peanuts; with added insects or in ready-made fat balls (top right); and berries, compressed in suet pellets or blocks.

If you want to encourage Robins into your garden, then founder of Ark Wildlife Sean McMenemy has this advice.

“One of the best treats you can give robins in winter is mealworms. These little bites are packed with protein and fat, perfect for keeping robins warm and full of energy," he said.

Watching birds is a known stress-reliever, so it’s a win-win.

5. In the borders

While your borders may look a little bare at this time of year, you can still support wildlife by leaving seed heads for birds and insects to feed on and hibernate in. Cut away any foliage that have been wasted by frost and turned to black slime. 

Now is a good time to protect any tender plants left in the ground by mounding over a few inches of insulating mulch such as leaves, manure or straw. If you want to remember where plants are, put down markers now before they completely disappear.

6. Winter proof your garden 

• If it looks like a freeze is coming, wrap outside taps with bubblewrap or some form of lagging. 
• Watch out for mice! Extreme cold will entice mice into seed and fruit stores. Put seeds in tins with tight-fitting lids and ensure that your fruit and veg stores are protected.
• Cold, wet weather can make paths treacherous – use a wire brush, jet wash or path cleaner to keep them clear.
• Do the same for your any steps, especially wooden ones. Consider stapling a layer of galvanized wire mesh on wooden steps to provide a better grip. 

7. Care for your Winter plants and trees

While most of the garden is hibernating, you may still have some plants and trees that require attention – or protection – over winter.

Here are some tips for caring for specific plants and trees over the colder months, to ensure they come back stronger than ever in spring.

Citrus trees

You will still need to water citrus trees as and when they need it. Wait until the soil feels dry and then water with a proprietary citrus winter feed which contains the key nutrients they need.

Barerooted trees and shrubs

Winter is a good time for planting bareroots, and to move any trees and shrubs – though with Christmas looming it may make sense to order now and plant in the New Year. Just avoid planting when the ground is wet and freezing. 

Roses

Rake up and dispose of (in a bin or bonfire but NOT in the compost) all leaves with signs of black spot to prevent spreading the disease.

Exotics

Tree ferns, bananas and palms need insulating from the worst weather. Wrap in a fleece jacket or with a sandwich of straw and fleece.