The Festive Month of December & the lead up to Christmas often offers some milder warmer days when various jobs can be tackled in the garden without being dressed in arctic weather attire. Understandably the tips being offered this month are limited.
The cold weather has few advantages but here is one. Any remaining leaves can now be swept up and the garden tidied before Christmas. The leaves will have been dried out by the cold making them easy for collection and burning if you have a garden incinerator or fire bowl. Cold also gets rid of a lot of unwanted bugs and pests.
If the ground is not too hard winter digging either the hard way with a spade/fork or somewhat easier with a cordless rotavator will save you time and energy in the New Year. This may be difficult with the ground currently so hard but if we get a few consecutive milder days you could dig over the empty vegetable beds which will then add oxygen to the soil and prevent compaction. Sharp well oiled tools are a must.
For parts of the country who may get a heavy layering of snow make sure that you knock off as much as possible to avoid branches breaking off with the weight of the snow. Surprisingly there are some plants and shrubs that survive the cold well so you need not worry too much about viburnums hellebores wisteria sinensis and some hydrangeas but make sure you leave the dead heads on as protection. Cordyline palms especially if mature should be alright.
Greenhouse - clean out any remaining crops and wash down the glazing and staging work surfaces. An effective but cheap cleaning solution is to mix into a hot bucket of water a bottle of cheap vinegar with a dash of washing up liquid. If you have a larger greenhouse make sure you tackle it in stages wiping down to dry before moving on to the next section.
Protect plants and pots from frost by bringing them indoors or by wrapping them in horticultural fleece. For larger ornamental pots and urns containing plants an old blanket or rug will suffice.
Feed the birds. Keep the feeder well stocked and out of reach of predators. You may wish to offer a selection of different foods which would attract a variety of birds and you can then monitor which foods your garden birds prefer.
Finally if all else fails and you can't face going in the garden there is a huge range of gardening books to browse or study to give you inspiration for next year.
Our Christmas Shop & associated Collections Indoor House Plant Gifts & Luxury Indoor Games have a wide selection of gifts of a gardening & non gardening nature which you are not likely to find in a physical garden centre or other retail outlet. All products are carefully sourced to ensure they are of high quality. Some are regular favourites which we know have been popular in previous years & others are new.
Below are some additional tips for How to maintain a Winter Garden. Shared from our other website :
www.gardenshoponline.co.uk
The Home of the Modern Garden
Maintaining a winter garden in the UK involves a few key tasks to ensure your plants survive the colder months and your garden is ready for spring. Here's a breakdown of essential steps:
Protecting Plants from Frost:
- Insulate vulnerable plants: Use fleece, bubble wrap, or hessian to protect tender plants like olive trees, fuchsias, and palms from frost and freezing temperatures.
- Mulch around the base of plants: Apply a layer of mulch (straw, wood chips, leaf mold) around the base of delicate shrubs and perennials to insulate roots and retain moisture.
- Move potted plants: If possible, move potted plants to a more sheltered location, such as a greenhouse, shed, or even a porch, to protect them from the worst of the weather.
- Raise pots off the ground: Use pot feet or bricks to raise pots off the ground, preventing waterlogging and frost damage.
Preparing the Soil:
- Add compost or manure: Winter is a great time to enrich your soil with compost or well-rotted manure. This will improve soil structure and fertility, and provide essential nutrients for spring growth.
- Mulch bare soil: Covering bare soil with a mulch layer helps suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and improve moisture retention.
- Turn your compost: Turning your compost pile in winter helps it break down more efficiently, so it's ready to use in the spring.
Pruning and Tidying:
- Prune trees and shrubs: Winter is the ideal time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs, as they are dormant. This will encourage healthy growth in the spring.
- Remove dead or diseased material: Clear away any dead leaves, debris, or diseased plant material to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
- Tidy up your shed: Clean and organize your shed, sharpen your tools, and service your lawnmower to be ready for spring.
Wildlife Care:
- Provide food and water for birds: Keep bird feeders topped up with seeds and provide a source of fresh water, especially during freezing weather.
- Create habitats for insects: Leave some areas of your garden untidy, with piles of leaves or hollow stems, to provide shelter for overwintering insects.
Other Important Tasks:
- Protect outside taps: Drain outside taps and insulate exposed pipes to prevent frost damage.
- Check and repair garden structures: Inspect sheds, fences, and other garden structures for any damage and make repairs as needed.
- Plan for spring: Use the winter months to plan your garden for the coming year. Decide what you want to grow, order seeds and plants, and start thinking about your garden design.
By following these tips, you can ensure your winter garden stays healthy and vibrant, and that you're well-prepared for a successful growing season in the spring
We welcome all enquiries for our product range & are happy to give advice without obligation.
Wishing you an enjoyable Festive Season & a Happy Christmas. Keep safe & look forward to planning a satisfying gardening season in 2026.
Best Wishes to all our past customers & welcome to all new ones.
Gilbert
