Gardening Jobs for December: Preparing Your Garden for the New Year

As the festive season approaches and winter settles in, December might seem like a quiet time in the garden. However, for the dedicated gardener, this month is full of opportunities for planning, maintenance, and dreaming of the seasons to come.

Winter Maintenance and Preparation

December is the perfect time to take stock of your garden and prepare for the coming year. Start by clearing away fallen leaves, protecting delicate plants from frost, and ensuring your garden structures are in good condition. Check your garden tools and repair or replace any that are worn out. Clean and oil your pruning shears, spades, and other gardening equipment to ensure they're ready for action in the spring.

Planning Your Garden for the New Year

Now is the ideal moment to sit down with a cup of hot tea and your gardening notebook. Reflect on the successes and challenges of the past growing season. Which plants thrived? Which struggled? Use these insights to plan your garden layout for the coming year.

Vegetable Garden Planning

Order your seeds early to ensure you get the varieties you want
Consider crop rotation to maintain soil health
Think about companion planting to maximize your garden's productivity

Ornamental Garden Considerations

Research new plant varieties that might suit your garden
Plan for continuous colour by selecting plants with different flowering times
Consider adding native plants to support local wildlife

Tasks to Tackle in December

While the garden might seem dormant, there are still plenty of jobs to keep you busy:

Protect tender plants with horticultural fleece or move them to sheltered areas
Continue to prune fruit trees and bushes while they're dormant
Check stored bulbs and tubers to ensure they're not rotting
Prepare your greenhouse for winter – install insulation and check heating systems
Plant bare-root trees and shrubs during dry, frost-free periods

Harrod Horticultural Top Tip

Our team recommends creating a garden journal for the new year. Track your plantings, note weather conditions, record successes and failures, and use this information to become a more strategic gardener. A well-maintained journal is like a roadmap to gardening success!

Looking Ahead

December is more than just a month of rest – it's a time of anticipation and preparation. By taking these steps now, you'll set yourself up for a productive and beautiful gardening year ahead. Our team at Harrod Horticultural is always here to support you with expert advice, high-quality gardening tools, and supplies to help your garden thrive.