December Gardening
Jobs
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 Quick checklist – 10 jobs to do now! |
1) Winter protection
2) Pruning
3) Planting
4) Containers
5) Take cuttings
6) Aplines
7) Compost heap
8) Check stored crops
9) Harvest
10) Christmas decorations
There are still some things to do outside, but not so many
that you have to force yourself out in the freezing cold! Fortunately, in this
part of South West France, we have lovely spells of winter weather. I love
these beautiful misty mornings that turn into warm afternoons with sunshine and
bright blue skies, when it’s really nice to go out into the garden.
1)
Winter protection
Freezing water expands and causes damage, so insulate outdoor taps or turn the water off. I loved Val’s empty bottle in the water butt tip! Check your greenhouse heaters (if using), but also open up the greenhouse on warmer days, as ventilating it will reduce humidity and reduce the risk of disease.
Freezing water expands and causes damage, so insulate outdoor taps or turn the water off. I loved Val’s empty bottle in the water butt tip! Check your greenhouse heaters (if using), but also open up the greenhouse on warmer days, as ventilating it will reduce humidity and reduce the risk of disease.
2)
Pruning
Fruit trees such as apple and pear trees (but not stone fruit trees). Keep some of the twigs to use as pea sticks.
Climbing roses - if not already done, do so now. Prune old flowered side shoots back by 2/3 of their length and cut away any diseased/damaged growth. Tie-in new shoots to the support.
Acers (Japanese Maples), birches and vines – before Christmas, as they will bleed sap if you do it any later.
Do not prune the old flower heads on your hydrangeas – leave them in place until the spring, as they provide frost protection to the new buds further down the stems.
Fruit trees such as apple and pear trees (but not stone fruit trees). Keep some of the twigs to use as pea sticks.
Climbing roses - if not already done, do so now. Prune old flowered side shoots back by 2/3 of their length and cut away any diseased/damaged growth. Tie-in new shoots to the support.
Acers (Japanese Maples), birches and vines – before Christmas, as they will bleed sap if you do it any later.
Do not prune the old flower heads on your hydrangeas – leave them in place until the spring, as they provide frost protection to the new buds further down the stems.
3)
Planting
Deciduous trees and shrubs (planting and transplanting).
If you have not done your onions and garlic – do it now!
Raspberries and blueberries.
Deciduous trees and shrubs (planting and transplanting).
If you have not done your onions and garlic – do it now!
Raspberries and blueberries.
4)
Containers
Create some winter interest in your garden by planting containers with hardy plants such as cyclamen, grasses, ivy, skimmia etc.
Take
cuttingsCreate some winter interest in your garden by planting containers with hardy plants such as cyclamen, grasses, ivy, skimmia etc.
Hardwood cuttings from trees and shrubs.
see the rest in the Gardening tab
Debbie Le Jardin Des Espiemonts
lejardindesespiemonts@gmail.com
Tel 0563646876
