December Gardening Tips for the Festive Season
By Alicia Paaso - Gardenscape Sales Team/RHS Level 3 Horticulturalist
We have entered December, which marks the start of the magical festive season. It’s time to decorate your home and garden with festive decorations and lights to brighten the dark evenings. It is a quieter time in the garden, allowing you to stay warm by the fireplace or do festive activities with your loved ones. However, for those who are eager to get some gardening done, there is, as always, plenty to do. Read on below for some tips on December gardening, wreath-making, and how to ensure your Christmas tree lasts the entire festive season.
One of my favourite festive activities is wreath-making. It allows you to be creative and use materials that you already have in your garden! Greenery such as holly, juniper, ivy, pine, hydrangeas, and rosehips work well in a wreath. Using a metal frame, wrap peat and then the greenery around it with metal wire. Once the base is finished, you can add decorations such as baubles, pinecones, dried lotus heads, dried orange slices, and a nice ribbon bow to finish it. To keep your wreath healthy, you should use the freshest greenery that you can find and give the finished wreath a good soak before displaying it.
If you have decided to get a real tree for Christmas this year, it is important to invest in a healthy tree and give it proper care for it to last the whole month. Before you buy your tree, check that it’s healthy by ensuring that it’s got a fresh scent, vibrant and sturdy needles, and no discolouration. Before you secure your chosen tree to its stand, make a 0.5-1-inch fresh cut on the base of the trunk for it to absorb water properly. The tree’s location is important as well, as you want to keep it away from heat sources to avoid excessive needle loss from heat stress. Lastly, give your tree a fresh supply of water daily.
December is one of the coldest months of the year, making it crucial to protect any tender plants and pots. Tender plants in pots should be moved indoors, whereas more hardy potted plants will benefit from being moved to a more wind-sheltered spot. Wrap any tender plants in situ that cannot be moved. Remember to add mulch to borders and beds where needed to protect the soil structure: the aim is to have no bare soil. If freezing temperatures are expected, it is a good idea to insulate outdoor taps and put hoses in storage.
With less growing, now is a good time to focus on jobs that prepare your garden for next spring. Many fruit shrubs and large fruit trees can be pruned this month. Grapevines, both outside and in the greenhouse, should also be cut back. Climbing roses can be pruned between now and February, so pick a time that suits you. As you prepare for next year’s growing, have a general tidy up of any garden spaces that need it. You can add the waste to a bulk bag for us to collect using our waste bag collection. If you haven’t already, start planning next year’s growing so you know what seeds need ordering before the start of the growing season!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and happy gardening this December! Best wishes from the Gardenscape team.