December gardening jobs.
It’s okay, I’ll forgive you for not planning to spend as much time in the garden in December! With unpredictable weather that is often cold, windy or wet, and with the early darkness, and the busyness of Christmas and all the festivities, it can be hard to venture out there. When the weather is fine, and you have a spare hour or so, it’s actually a real tonic to get outside and get some fresh air though. For me, it’s exactly what I need, and the complete antidote to the highly-strung human based Christmas frenzy!

The garden is in slumber, just resting and recouping in readiness for the next season of riotous colour and growth. The insects are either gone, or hibernating, the birds have moved to their winter abodes (some arrived, some gone, others stay all year with us), and all is calm. When I’m out there, I make a point to take note of the ripe red berries that will feed our cheery robins, blackbirds, sparrows, etc, to enjoy the bare naked form of the trees and twigs, and admire the heroic efforts of the worms as they drag any leaf litter into the ground to munch.

The strength of these critters is quite astonishing. To move through the earth, they burrow by forcefully enlarging tiny crevices and cracks in the soil. This can take an enormous amount of pressure and strength – experiments have shown they can push 10 times their own body weight. That’s the equivalent of a human pushing a large polar bear out of his or her way. What’s even more extraordinary is that tiny hatchlings – baby earthworms – can push 500 times their own body weight – that’s the same as a person casually shoving a humpback whale to one side! Phew!

Anyway here’s a little collection of jobs to keep you warm:
Watch out for mice
Winter cold will entice mice into seed and fruit stores. Put seeds in tins with tight fitting lids and ensure that your fruit and veg are protected.

Paths and steps
Cold, wet weather can make surfaces treacherous. Use a wire brush, jet wash or path cleaner to clean them. Wooden steps are particularly tricky. A good tip is to staple down a layer of galvanized wire mesh to provide better grip, or you can buy grip tape to apply too. Also worth noting when you choose new paving and surfaces if slip is an issue, test it out, and ask for the R value if it’s a critical area or being applied to slopes. The ‘R’ value is an industry standard and goes from R9-R13, with the higher number being the most slip resistant.

Bare-rooted trees, fruit and shrubs
Winter is a good time for planting bare-roots. And also for moving trees and shrubs though with Christmas looming it may make sense to order now and plant in the New Year (fab Christmas present idea right there – you can have that one for free!). Just avoid planting when the ground is waterlogged or freezing.

In the borders
Leave seed heads for birds and insects to feed on and hibernate in. Any foliage that has been wasted to black slime by frost, or has signs of fungal disease, should be cleared and removed. If you want to remember where plants are, put down markers now before they completely disappear.

Exotics and tender plants
Tree ferns, bananas and palms need insulating from the worst weather. Wrap in a fleece jacket or with a sandwich of straw and fleece. You can also do this around the more tender shrubs and perennials. Do peg down or tie the protection though, as those fierce winter winds can undo your hard work and deliver it to the neighbours!

Hannah Hobbs-Chell is a horticulturist and garden designer/consultant.
If you have a question for her, email:hannah.hobbschell@outlook.com including a picture if relevant