The days are short, and the festive season is almost here, but there’s still time to do a little gardening! On dry days, seize the chance to put on your jacket and boots, get outdoors, do a bit of planting and get things in good shape for next year. Here are our top 15 gardening tips for December.
Top 15 gardening tips for December
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There’s still time to plant tulips and daffodils in pots and borders for a fantastic display in spring!
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Clear leaves from flowerbeds to stop slugs and snails from hiding under them. If any of the leaves are affected with fungal diseases like black spots, don’t put them on a leaf pile or compost heap, but dispose of them in your council green waste bin instead.
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While there’s less to do in the garden, now’s the chance to do some tool maintenance. Clean your garden tools, sharpen secateurs and shears, and get the lawnmower serviced.
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Mulch beds with garden compost, soil conditioner, or well-rotted farmyard manure. Spread a thick layer (at least 5 cm) over the beds and leave the worms to work it into the soil over winter.
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Wrap pots in bubble wrap and place them on pot feet to stop them from getting waterlogged over winter.
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Although Japanese maples don’t need regular pruning, if you need to remove any branches, do it now while the trees are dormant and won’t ‘bleed’ when cut.
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Prune grape vines, cutting back-side branches to one or two strong buds from the main stem.
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Look after your garden birds in winter by keeping bird feeders topped up and bird baths ice-free so that the birds have somewhere to eat, drink, and wash.
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Clear fallen leaves off lawns, so the sunlight can reach the grass. Collect the leaves into leaf piles or store them in black bags somewhere out of sight. In a year or so, they’ll break down into leaf mould, which is a fantastic soil conditioner.
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Check your houseplants to make sure they are not near a radiator, as this will dry them out. Water houseplants less frequently in winter. Whether you’re looking for plants and seeds or Christmas trees and fairy lights, you’ll find everything you need in our centre this December!
