Tina Woodhams Gardening Notes For December
December can be a really busy time of year, with the shortest day on the horizon and lots of planning for the forthcoming Christmas celebrations, so why not grab a few hours and immerse yourself in the fresh air to do those odd jobs out in the garden…. not only for some exercise but also a great deal of satisfaction!
Empty the last of the summer flowering pots and get creative by planting them up with seasonal colour for the winter months. Fill with fresh compost to provide well-needed nutrients, and water in the new plants. Most peat-free composts will sink after a while so top up the soil level to protect any roots that may have become exposed from the harsh weather. If a freeze is forecast, water directly around the base of the plants 2-3 days prior as moist soil absorbs and retains more heat than dry soil, however take care to avoid wetting the leaves if possible.
Plant bare root trees, shrubs, roses and hedging. Evergreen species provide habitats and food for wildlife as well as adding structure in the winter garden.
Winter-flowering shrub are invaluable at this time of the year, not only for their scent but visually too – Viburnum tinus, Hamamelis (witch hazel), Sarcococca (Christmas box), Skimmia japonica and Lonicera fragrantissima (winter-flowering honeysuckle) are some of the many species available.
On a rainy day, take to the greenhouse and give it a winter spruce up! This is one of the essential tasks for early winter. Clear out any old pots and dead material and wash everything with a suitable greenhouse disinfectant. This will deter fungi and parasitic insects and give you a good start for next year. If you are overwintering plants ventilation is important to keep them in optimum health, so even at this time of year open the windows or vents on a regular basis to ensure that the air inside does not
become stagnant.
If you are using water from a water butt or outside tap on your plants, then fill some watering cans and leave them inside the greenhouse for a couple of days so that the water becomes the same temperature as your plants – if you use it straightaway you run the risk of using ice cold water and shocking the plants.
Start to prune apple and pear trees whilst they are in the period of dormancy, usually up to the end of February. Do not prune stone fruits such as cherry, plum and greengage until springtime! Prepare empty vegetable beds by weeding and manuring – either dig it in or simply on top of the beds for the worms to do their work.
Plan ahead and write a Christmas list to send to the man with the red coat and big white beard…small hand tools, essential gloves, seeds and seed organiser, perhaps a gardening journal to record all of your aspirations and successes!
Wishing Everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Gardening Year.