A few jobs for December
There’s not too much to do at this time of year, but keep up to date with the jobs below and your garden will get through winter and you’ll be ready for the new growing season.
- Make sure any protection for the winter is still in place over plants and pots.
- Make sure your greenhouse heaters are functioning properly
- Protect stand pipes and ponds to stop them freezing
- Prune vines, acers and birches
- Harvest root crops such as parsnips, along with sprouts, leeks and winter cabbage.
Still time to sow and propagate
Did you know you can sow Alpines this month? They need to experience the cold weather in order to germinate. Place a sheet of glass over the sown area, to stop too much wet getting in – or you can put them in the fridge to be sown in the spring! There’s still some work to be done on herbaceous perennials – keep cutting them back and put the clippings on your compost heap. If you live in a mild area you can still lift and divide them – this will bring tired clumps back to life and help you make more plants. You can also take root cuttings from perennial poppies, Verbascum and Phlox.
Garden birds at Christmas at Rosemoor 13-14 December
Find out how to help out the garden birds as Christmas approaches and the hunt for fruit and berries gets harder for our native birds. Come along and listen to the special talks at 11.30am and 2.30pm, where we will talk about feeders and bird tables, creating shelter for birds and the best plants to attract these beautiful creatures to your garden. Normal garden admission applies.
Harlow Carr at Christmas – guided walk 12 December
Katherine Musgrove will take you on a guided walk to find all the special plants that offer winter beauty in the Garden’s ornamental and woodland borders and winter walk. Katherine will also be on hand to give hints and tips on how to make the most of your garden at this time of year – and show you some of Harlow Carr’s own natural Christmas decorations. A hot drink and a mince pie are your reward at the end of the walk! 10am-12.30pm
£15 for RHS members, £23 for non-members. Hot drink and mince pie included. To book call 020 31765830
Listen to the latest RHS podcast
Listen to our latest podcast, where we offer seasonal information, you can hear tips on growing fruit and veg, and get up-to-the-minute help and advice.
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