Gardening Tips for December Things will be quietening down in the garden
now, but there are still jobs to be done.
Leaves seem to have been later falling this year, and haven’t the colours been good. Keep raking the leaves up on the lawn but on borders, provided they aren’t suffering from fungal infections, they can be left to act as a mulch. Acers, birches and vines should be pruned, if necessary, before Christmas otherwise they will ‘bleed’. Apples and pears can also be winter pruned now. Check greenhouse heaters and if you don’t have one, keep fl eece or newspaper handy to cover vulnerable plants.
Clear weeds on any empty ground and dig vegetable plots over winter. If you can get some well rotted manure it should be spread over the ground to provide goodness for next year. Make sure you have mulched tender perennials and shrubs before we get more frosts or snow and if we do get heavy snow try to shake it off branches or they may break under the weight.
Hellebores will soon be coming into fl ower, so remove leaves so that you will be able to see the fl owers. If you are lucky enough to have access to holly with loads of berries, cut some in early December and keep it in buckets of water before the birds eat all the berries. However make sure you keep feeders full and put out suet balls, etc, along with water to keep our feathered friends happy. Cut back watering on house plants now as they won’t be growing during winter months.
If you are looking for Christmas presents, why not make up tubs or bowls with evergreens and pansies. You could also give a family present
of a bird feeding station and food so that everyone can watch the birds all year. Membership of the RHS means that they will receive a monthly magazine plus free entry to the four main RHS gardens (soon to be fi ve) as well as many smaller partnership gardens. Perhaps for families, National Trust membership would be a good idea; and there are loads of books and tools available to suit gardeners old and new.
If you receive house plants as presents, check on growing requirements.
Phalaenopsis orchids are very popular. They don’t want to be in bright sun and should be watered sparingly and any surplus poured away. Poinsettias, which are very popular at this time of year, are best not bought from outside stalls as they don’t like cold and may drop leaves when brought indoors. Cyclamen prefer to be cooler, a bathroom is ideal. Both these should not be left standing in water.
Enjoy Christmas and New Year and get ready for lots of gardening next year.
Denise Hill Broadstone in Bloom Leafl et & Flyer Distribution
Would you like your leafl ets or fl yers delivered door to door with this magazine by a reliable delivery team?
Very competitive rates! For more details, please call 01202 657317
karen@broadstonelink.co.uk www.broadstonelink.co.uk
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