December Gardening Jobs

Away from the bright lights and energy of the festive season, our gardens settle quietly into winter. There are still vegetables to harvest and pruning to do, but the year’s work is nearly behind you. Lend a helping hand to wildlife and enjoy the calm and stillness of the winter garden.

The end of the year brings a welcome lull in gardening jobs. Just as many plants need a period of dormancy and rest, so do gardeners. One of the things I Iove most about gardening is connecting with the changing seasons; celebrating bursts of new life in spring, harnessing the energy of the sun and long days in summer, and appreciating the cooler temperatures and bright colours of autumn. Nature tells us that winter is a time for resting and recharging, and who are we to argue?

That said, if you’re itching to get out into the garden, there are still jobs you can get on with. December is a good time for pruning trees and planting bare root hedging, trees and shrubs, as well as making sure your garden is fully ready for whatever weather the winter might throw at us. If you have greenery and berries to spare, cut some and bring it inside to add a festive feel to your home. 

December is also a time of reflection. If you feel your garden is a little drab, read our December flowers guide to find out what to plant next year for winter colour and interest.

 

Flowers, shrubs & trees

The weather (and possibly Christmas festivities) may determine what you can get done this month, but take advantage of milder days to plant bare root trees and shrubs. If you’re wondering what bulbs to plant in December, the answer is any spring bulbs you have lying around! It may not be the ideal time, but nature can be remarkably forgiving if you give it a chance. We’re currently offering 40% off our spring flowering bulbs, so grab a bargain before they go.

What to plant in December

• Plant bare-root roses and other shrubs this month. Roses are often planted individually, but some varieties, such as Rosa canina (dog rose) and cultivars of Rosa rugosa, make a wonderful informal hedge.

• You can also plant bare-root or container-grown ornamental trees like acers.

• If you want to spruce up your garden and add some winter colour, plant container-grown evergreen shrubs like skimmia, viburnum, sarcococca and mahonia. Smaller varieties look great in pots!

• It’s not too late to give your sweet peas a head start for next year (at least, I’m hoping it’s not, as I still haven’t got round to sowing mine!). Sow them in deep pots, so the roots have plenty of space, and store them in a greenhouse or cool porch so they don’t get killed off by frost.

• You can still plant tulips and other bulbs – they may just flower a little later than usual. Our hyacinth garden mix is perfect for adding bright colour to pots, while Fritillaria meleagris is a beautiful, underrated flower that’s perfect for mixed flower beds, woodland gardens or naturalising.

Propagating and dividing

• Take hardwood cuttings from trees and shrubs, including dogwood, buddleia, forsythia, viburnum and philadelphus.

• You can also take cuttings from certain evergreen plants – holly, skimmia and privet. If your garden is looking like it needs more greenery, your future self will thank you next winter! Use the same method as you would for semi-ripe cuttings.

• Root cuttings are a great way to propagate oriental poppies, Verbascum (mullein) and other plants that produce new shoots from their roots. They’re best taken in autumn or early winter, so you’ll want to get it done before the end of the month.

Pruning and cutting back

• Prune deciduous ornamental shrubs and trees while dormant. It’s particularly important to prune Japanese maples, birch trees and grape vines before the end of December, along with hornbeam, walnut, mulberry, laburnum and lime trees if you didn’t prune these earlier in the year. This is to minimise bleeding, as the sap rises early in these trees, in mid-winter.

• You can prune climbing roses or renovate overgrown roses anytime between now and February.

• If you have an overgrown deciduous shrub, most can be hard pruned during winter. Either carry out a complete renovation by cutting all stems and branches to around 20 cm or opt for a staggered renovation over two or three years for less vigorous shrubs. Be aware that you may lose flowers for a couple of years.

• Remove any frost-damaged or slimy foliage from perennials.

General maintenance

• Protect tender plants with a thick layer of mulch (e.g. leaves, straw or compost) or fleece.

• Even if you’ve insulated potted plants, grouping them together in a sheltered, sunny area can offer some additional protection from the winter weather.

• Pots can either get waterlogged or dry out at this time of year. Use pot stands to prevent waterlogging, or move them into a partially covered area and water lightly if necessary.

• Check stored dahlias, cannas and begonias regularly and dispose of any that show signs of rot.

• If you get heavy snow, keep an eye on evergreen shrubs and trees and, if necessary, brush snow off the branches, so they don’t break under the weight.

 

Fruit and vegetables

We may be into winter now, but there are a few months to go before we hit the hungry gap. Winter crops such as cabbages, kale and Brussels sprouts are going strong, and you may still have root vegetables in the ground or in storage – everything you need for Christmas dinner other than the turkey!

What vegetables to plant in December

• Rhubarb is dormant, so now is the time to plant a new set or divide larger crowns. If you want to force rhubarb indoors for an early harvest, pot up a section of a crown in a container with good drainage and store it in a cold, dark place for a few weeks before bringing it indoors or into a warm shed. This tricks the plant into thinking it’s spring.

• If you live in a very mild area, you may be able to plant garlic this month; otherwise, wait until February.

• You can continue lifting and replanting chicory to force it over the winter.

Harvesting

• Make the most of winter brassicas, including cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts and cabbages. All freeze well in case you end up with more than you can eat.

• Harvest remaining celeriac. You can leave the roots in the ground, but you’ll need to protect them from cold temperatures.

• If you haven’t lifted root vegetables like carrots and swede, get them out of the ground now before they turn woody.

• Leeks don’t store well, so leave them in the ground or lift them and heel them into a shallow trench.

• If you’ve been growing winter lettuce and other greens under cover, you may still be able to harvest enough for a fresh salad this late in the year.

• Harvest any remaining Jerusalem artichokes or kohlrabi before the end of the month.

Fruit bushes and trees

• Prune apple and pear trees if you didn’t get round to it last month, though try to avoid very cold days.

• You can also winter prune fruit bushes, including blueberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and gooseberries. When pruning bushes, aim for an open structure and remove any damaged or diseased branches.

• This month is your last chance to prune grape vines before the sap starts rising and bleeding becomes a risk.

• You can still plant raspberries, blackberries and fruit trees and bushes this month. Dig in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure a week or so before planting.

• Get new currant and gooseberry bushes for free! Read our guide to taking hardwood cuttings to find out how.

General maintenance 

• Dig over empty beds and add well-rotted manure so it can break down before spring. Avoid digging when the ground is frozen or waterlogged.

• Check stakes and ties on sprouts, kale and newly planted fruit trees to make sure they’re secure.

• Continue to net brassicas to protect them from hungry pigeons.

• Check stored apples, pears and root vegetables and remove any that are beginning to spoil.

Planning ahead

• Check your seed stocks and consider throwing out expired packets – fresher seeds have a better germination rate.

• Start thinking about your crop rotation for next year and what seeds you may need, so you can be ready to order when they go on sale.

 

Lawns and hedges

Other than planting hedging and avoiding turning your lawn into a mud pit, there isn’t much to do this month with lawns and hedges.

• If you didn’t plant bare root hedging last month, you can do it this month, as long as the ground isn’t frozen. Our complete guide to planting hedges helps you choose the right hedge for your garden and has tips on planting.

• Rake any remaining leaves off your lawn.

• Try not to walk on your lawn if it’s frozen or waterlogged. If you need to cross it regularly to access a shed or other part of your garden, consider adding a stepping-stone path to protect the grass.

• You can re-cut the edges of your lawn to neaten things up before the next growing season.

 

Other garden jobs for December

Get into a regular rhythm of feeding the birds this month – they’ll likely need the extra food. If you’re buying a real Christmas tree this year, consider what you’ll do with it after Christmas is over. Pot-grown Christmas trees can be planted out in your garden, if you have space, or put in a larger pot for next year. Local councils often have collections or drop-off points for fresh cut Christmas trees, but you can also recycle them yourself and use the branches or woodchips in your garden.

• Take advantage of mild days to ventilate your greenhouse. You can keep it warm with a fan heater or by insulating it with bubble wrap.

• Turn your compost heap and cover it to prevent it from becoming waterlogged.

• Clean your pots, seed trays and tools so everything is ready for next year.

• Pressure wash paths and patios, use a patio cleaner or tackle them with a scrubbing brush to get rid of any slime. 

• Keep putting out food and fresh water for the birds and other wildlife, particularly on cold days when other water sources are frozen. Fat balls are a good high-energy food at this time of year.

• Carry out any final repairs to fencing, trellises and sheds to make sure everything is ready for winter weather.

 

FAQ

What to plant in December in the UK?

December is a good time to plant bare root shrubs, trees and fruit bushes, as long as the ground isn’t frozen. You can also plant rhubarb or lift and divide existing crowns. Plant container-grown evergreen shrubs like viburnum, skimmia and sarcococca along with winter bedding plants like cyclamen to brighten up your garden. If you have any spring bulbs left to plant, now is the time to do it – it’s also a good time to buy bulbs on sale.

What vegetables can I plant in December in the UK?

There isn’t much to plant in the vegetable garden at this time of year! In mild areas, you may be able to plant garlic as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Now that rhubarb plants are dormant, it’s a good time to plant new plants or divide large plants.

What bulbs can I plant in December?

Tulips are fine to plant this month, as long as the ground isn’t frozen. Other spring bulbs should ideally have been planted by now, but if you never got round to it, get them in the ground, as you’ve still got a good chance of them flowering. Grab a bargain in our end-of-season bulb sale and plant your bulbs as soon as they arrive for the best chance of success.