15 Gardening Tips for December to Prepare Your Winter Garden

Although daylight is limited and the run-up to the holidays is busy, there’s still plenty you can tackle outdoors. When the weather settles, grab a warm coat, head into the garden and give it a little care before winter truly sets in. These fifteen tips will help keep everything on track.

1. Plant bare-root trees and shrubs

If the ground is neither frozen nor clogged with water, it’s an ideal moment to put bare-root plants into the soil or shift established ones while they are resting.

2. Pop in a few bulbs

Tulips and daffodils can still be planted in borders or containers, giving you cheerful colour once spring arrives.

3. Keep borders free of fallen leaves

Clearing leaves discourages slugs and snails from sheltering. Any leaves marked with fungal problems should go straight into the council green waste bin rather than the compost.

4. Freshen up your garden tools

This quieter spell is perfect for washing tools, sharpening blades and arranging a service for the lawnmower.

5. Add a layer of mulch

Spread a thick blanket of compost, soil improver or aged manure over your beds. Aim for a depth of around five centimetres and allow the worms to pull it down as the season progresses.

6. Protect pots from the cold

Wrap outdoor pots in bubble wrap and raise them on feet so they drain well and avoid sitting in pooled water.

7. Tidy climbing roses

Cut out old or damaged stems, secure new growth and shorten flowering shoots by about two-thirds.

8. Lightly prune Japanese maples if needed

They rarely need heavy pruning, yet if a branch needs removing, winter is the safest time to do it without causing sap loss.

9. Cut back grape vines

Shorten side shoots so they finish on one or two strong buds along the main framework.

10. Help garden birds

Keep feeders filled and check bird baths in the morning so ice doesn’t block access to water.

11. Rake leaves off the lawn

Let the grass breathe by removing any thick layers of fallen leaves. Bag them or pile them somewhere discreet and let them break down into leaf mould.

12. Stay off wet or snowy grass

Avoid walking across the lawn when the ground is saturated or covered in snow, as it leaves lasting marks in the turf.

13. Lift and store dahlias

After frost turns the foliage black, trim the stems, lift the tubers and let them dry before storing them in trays of compost in a cool dry place.

14. Move houseplants away from heat sources

Radiators dry out both the air and the compost. Water less often at this time of year but don’t let plants wilt.

15. Gather winter vegetables

Leeks, Brussels sprouts and winter cabbage should be ready to pick and make hearty additions to seasonal cooking.

Whether you’re looking for plants and seeds or Christmas trees and fairy lights, you’ll find everything you need in our centre this December!