What to do in the garden in December

Posted by Shannen Godwin on 17th Jun 2021

What to do in the garden in December

With the short days and chilly mornings upon us, winter has arrived. While it may be tempting to leave your garden alone during this period, it’s important to remember that there are several jobs that need to be done in winter to help your garden flourish in spring. Here’s our list of gardening jobs to do this December to prepare your garden for spring.

Prune trees and shrubs

December is a great time to prune trees, shrubs and roses. It is best to cut out unwanted growth whilst the plant is dormant since it’s easier to understand the shape and structure of the plant whilst it has no leaves. Plus winter pruned trees are less prone to disease.

Keep on planting

Yes, you can continue planting in December! The very best time of year to plant shrubs and trees is between early autumn to late Spring. Also, if you live in areas with milder winters, you can continue to plant spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodilstulipscrocusmuscari and fritillarias into the new year.

Make your garden wildlife-friendly

Local wildlife needs all the help they can get during the colder months. If possible, add suet feeders around the garden/lawn, as they make a great source of energy for birds. Other foods that are perfect for birds include chunks of fruit, mealworms, or peanuts. Don’t forget to put out a fresh dish of water along with the bird food too!

More jobs for the December garden:

  • Tie back climbing plants
  • Tidy up the greenhouse ready to receive spring plants
  • A little weeding now will save time in spring
  • Mulch around trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials
  • Build raised beds and fill them with good quality soil ready for growing your own fruit and veg