Seasonal Tips for December
Well, December certainly started wet and windy this year! It is often one of the wettest months of the year, and can also bring fog and frosts. Despite the gloom there’s still some colour to be found among leaves and berries. Winter-flowering shrubs such as Mahonia media hybrids, winter honeysuckle and Viburnum bodnantense will bring gorgeous fragrance to the short days. Try to spend a little time tidying up your borders – you’ll have less to do in the Spring, and slugs will have less places to hide.
Essential jobs checklist for December
- Plant conifers and evergreens (if it is dry and the soil is not frozen)
- Clear leaves and compost them as they fall but avoid too much walking on rain sodden lawns to avoid compaction.
- Sow peas and broad beans (and sweetpeas)
- Protect tender outdoor plants from frost with fleece (don’t use bubble wrap as plants will sweat and rot underneath)
- Keep the greenhouse well-ventilated to keep diseases at bay
- Established trees can be winter-pruned this month
- Keep houseplants on the dry side of moist, unless in a well heated room.
- Bring in prepared hyacinths to bloom indoors for Christmas
- Come and browse our collection of summer seeds!
Last Chance To...
Do your Christmas shopping; we have a HUGE range of gifts and decorations in our Holme-Living department!
And please remember to..........
Start leaving extra food out for birds and squirrels to ensure they can build up fat reserves for the colder days to come. We have a big selection of bird and squirrel food at Holme-Living, plus a variety of feeders.