As we move into winter, it’s you might think there’s not much to do in our gardens, but you would be wrong, December can be a hive of activity!

Let’s take a look at what we need to do to bring our gardening year to a close:

Lawns

Should you still be mowing the lawn? In mild weather, as long it’s not too wet or frosty, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t, particularly in the south, but keep those blades high.

Keep lawns clear of leaves. This let’s light in to help the ‘sward’ through the winter and prevents fungal infections and subsequent dead patches in the spring

As winter moves in, avoid walking/working on frosty turf.

Flowers

There’s still time to sow Sweet Peas for early flowering next year. Start them on a warm, well-lit windowsill and as the seedlings establish, move them to the greenhouse or cold frame to overwinter. Other flowers you might consider sowing now would include Antirrhinum, Cyclamen and Pelargonium

Now’s the time to cut back foliage and lift and store Dahlias tubers and Gladioli corms in trays in a dry garage or cellar. You can do the same for tubers of those large flowered Begonias you may have had in baskets, baskets or tubs. This will save you money when you re-plant them again next spring!

Shrubs

It’s a good time to prune overgrown shrubs when many plants are dormant. Think about the shape you want to achieve on a plant as well as just controlling growth. Climbing roses too can be pruned, removing any diseased wood and shortening established shoots by two-thirds. New shoots can be tied into the growing supports.

You can still be planting containerised or ‘bare-root’ shrubs if you avoid frosty spells

Should you be planting up a new border think about providing food for the garden birds in winter. The winter berries of plants like Cotoneaster and Pyracantha are ideal.

There are a limited number of plants that will flower in winter, but don’t forget how attractive the red, orange and yellow stems of Salix and Cornus can be on dull winter days.

Vegetables

There is still time to sow some vegetables. Mustard, Cress, winter Lettuce and other winter salads are feasible to grow outdoors if they can be covered with plastic or cloches in the harshest weather.

Sow Broad Beans (indoors) and keep them in the greenhouse or conservatory prior to an early spring planting

Harvest Leeks, Onions, Parsnips, Brussel Sprouts and Cabbage as required

It is a good idea to use garden netting to protect plants from birds. An alternative is to use garden fleece which has the added benefit of keeping the plants snug and warm in bad weather.

Remove dead or yellowed leaves from vegetables - to avoid fungal disease

If the weather allows you can prepare your runner bean trench. Dig out a trench some two feet + deep where the plants will grow. Put some old newspapers in the base. These will rot down and hold moisture in the soil. Through the winter you can gradually build up the level in the trench with vegetable scraps from the kitchen, leaf mould and garden compost.

Fruit

Now’s the time to prune ‘top’ fruit such as apples and pears, (‘stone’ fruit such as plums & cherries are pruned during summer).

Also, ‘cane’ fruit such as currants & gooseberries can be cut back while the plants are dormant.

Plant ‘bare-root’ fruit trees and bushes.

Divide mature rhubarb roots in mild weather. If the plant ‘crowns’ are too crowded, the yields will soon deteoriate.

Strawberries – still time to plant in warm soil. Plants are best replaced every 3 years as they will start to suffer from virus disease. Planting on a fresh patch of soil is also recommended.

Christmas

Another gardening year draws to a conclusion, but Christmas is coming!

It has been such a difficult year this year, but with so many people re-discovering the peace and satisfaction of gardening, it’s a great opportunity for Christmas gifts

For new gardeners, perhaps a raised bed? These are available in all sorts of materials and sizes and are ideal for growing fresh, healthy salads on the patio. Maybe a seed or plant voucher to go with it, to really get the growing started! Or why not take a look at the Stiga website and find the perfect garden tool for your green-fingered loved one? 

Merry Christmas to all and here’s to a happy, healthy gardening year in 2022!