Happy December and Merry Christmas! We have been very lucky with the weather in Autumn: sunshine and little rainfall until just recently! I hope everyone has been able to make the most of it and get into the garden or outside for walks and let’s hope December brings sunshine too!
I also hope everyone has a very merry Christmas (if you celebrate) and a happy new year – see you in 2025!!
Greenhouse:
- Check that your greenhouse heaters are working properly. Do this by accurately monitoring the temperature with a maximum-minimum thermometer.
- Pick up any faded leaves and dead flowers regularly from the plants overwintering in the greenhouse, e.g., pelargoniums. And clear leaves and twigs from the gutters of greenhouses and sheds.
- Ensure that there is adequate ventilation in your greenhouse or conservatory; consider opening vents for an hour or two on milder days to encourage air circulation.
Houseplants:
- Reduce the watering of houseplants as temperatures drop. Use tepid room-temperature water when watering, as cold water will shock roots and stress the plant.
- Move houseplants to lighter spots like a sunny windowsill over winter, so they can get as much sunlight as possible during shorter days. But keep them away from condensation on windows, and move off cold windowsills at night.
- Cacti and succulents need a period of relative dormancy over winter; keep them barely moist and do not feed.
Lawns:
- Rake up any remaining fallen leaves on the lawn, this is to ensure that they do not smother the grass and block out any sunlight or moisture. Rotary lawnmowers are great for picking up leaves; start with the mower on a higher setting to simultaneously collect and mulch the leaves. Then, lower the height to give your garden a final trim.
- Look out for waterlogging on your lawn after winter rain. To improve drainage, spike the lawn with an aerator or a garden fork, and brush in a mix of sand and loam into holes. Field No.5 High Quality Fine Grade Topsoil is a finely graded blend of sandy loam topsoil and composted organic material, so is perfect for this if your lawn has not already been aerated during the autumn maintenance programme.
Flowers:
Jobs:
- Keep tubs and containers tidy by cutting back and removing debris regularly and mulch with Field No.11 Pot Mulch – an aesthetic bark mulch for pots and containers.
- Continue to cut back herbaceous perennials and add to compost heaps or leave out until spring so they can be used as winter homes for insects.
- Raise patio containers onto feet or bricks to avoid them sitting in water and getting waterlogged.
Fruit & Veg:
Jobs:
- Tidy up raspberry and blackberry beds; weed and mulch with Field No.24 Ericaceous Soil Improver. This is perfect for mulching soft fruit as it will not increase the soil PH.
- Keep kale, winter cabbages and other brassicas covered with netting to protect from hungry pigeons.
- Keep clearing old crops and debris from the veg plot, but only compost healthy material to avoid the spread of diseases.
To Plant:
- Plant thornless blackberries, e.g., ‘Loch Ness’ for easy pickings of large and sweet fruits. Use Field No.1 Soil Improver to mulch.
- Broad beans. Sow now for a crop as early as May. Sow directly outdoors if the conditions are mild.
- Onions. Choose seeds rather than sets and start off in pots indoors or undercover to aid germination. Use Field No.23 Potting Blend compost.
- Garlic. If you live in mild regions, you can plant garlic sets outdoors in well-drained soil. Use Field No.1 to mulch over planted sets.
- Lettuce, e.g., winter gem, is specially bred for its ability to grow at low temperatures and provide a harvest. Use Field No.23 when sowing.
- Chilli peppers and aubergines. Both can be sown anytime of the year, but you will need a heated propagator or grow lamp to give them a good start. Sow in Field No.23.
Trees & Shrubs:
Jobs:
- The pruning and renovation of many deciduous trees, shrubs, and hedges can be carried out throughout this dormant season. Winter is the perfect time for pruning as it is easier to see what you are doing now that branches have no leaves.
- Prune large fruit trees, e.g., apple and pears (but not those trained against walls). This is to control the shape and size, and to increase productivity.
- As cold winds and frost can loosen and lift roots, you should protect newly planted trees, hedges and shrubs by mulching using our No.1 Soil Improver. Protect branches too by covering them with fleece.
- Check tree ties and stakes are firm enough to stand against harsh winds and winter storms; replace, tighten, or remove as necessary.
To Plant:
- You can still plant and transplant deciduous trees and shrubs; use Field No.1 or Field No.16 Tree and Shrub Soil Improver mixed with the spoil from the planting pit. Choose bare-root shrubs like roses and ornamental trees.
- Plant fragrant winter shrubs in pots (Fill with Field No.23) on your doorstep, e.g., chimonanthus, sarcococca or daphne odora.
