December Gardening Jobs

Where rain might combine with them to form a dangerous surface. Stuff the leaves into black bags, pour some water in, fold over (don't tie), spike the bags and put aside. And the result will be leaf mould that will be great for potting or as a soil
improver next year.

Continue to transplant shrubs that have overgrown their current location. After deciding on an alternative position, dig in plenty of organic matter and move the shrub making sure it retains a large rootball. As always water well and, if we are suffering a dry period, continue to do so until the shrub is established.

Continue to Prune

Carry on pruning overgrown hardy shrubs such as Forsythia, Exochorda and Hazel, this will keep them in good shape and also encourage new growth next year. After cutting the stems back hard, especially the oldest ones if you have neglected pruning in the past, new buds will soon appear.

Don't forget to apply a good mulch. Shrubs that flower in the summer and those grown for ornamental foliage can be stooled by cutting the stems down to ground level. Firm in shallow rooted trees and shrubs to avoid wind rock that loosens and lifts roots, especially if they have been recently planted. You should have finished pruning roses by now so that should help their stability. Hardy climbers can still be pruned before they are caught by heavy winds.

Propagate perennials such as phlox, verbascum and acanthus that have fleshy roots. Pick them out of the parent plant, cut into 3ins lengths and place into gritty compost. Cover with with 1½ ins of compost and leave in a warm position but don't allow to dry out before new growth shows through in the spring.

Improve Soil

This is just the right time to try and improve the soil. Dig over the vegetable plot, work in lots of organic matter such as compost and well-rotted manure and leave the frost and worms to do their job i.e. breaking the earth down and distributing the goodness. In the borders, fork in compost, loosening the top few inches of soil and mulch with leaf mould or compost to a depth of about 2ins.
Heavy soils can be dealt with using sand or grit to improve the texture and drainage. Make sure the vegetable plot and garden in general are clear from any debris, take out any annuals and remove the remains of your summer crops. After shaking off any loose soil add the dead plants to your compost heap.

Fruit Trees

Remove old and diseased fruit that has fallen from or has remained on trees, they could be the source of infection and should be thrown away. Also compost yellowing brassica leaves. Mulch fruit trees to suppress weeds and improve the soil. Make sure that any netting, cloches and other protective measures, as well as tree ties and stakes, are secure.

Gooseberry and currant plants can be pruned as well as outdoor grape vines. Start storing carrots, turnips and beetroot if it looks as though the ground will be frozen. Continue to plant bear rooted fruit trees and bushes.

Divide rhubarb and re-plant with plenty of manure in a position that isn't likely to get waterlogged In the greenhouse, make sure everything is tidy and clean, removing all the plants that have fruited to be composted. Check and wash the glazing, removing any dirt and algae to enable the maximum amount of light to penetrate. Remember the bubble wrap if plants are overwintering in there, you can also use it to prevent frost damage to large pots left outside.

If you are given a poinsettia for Christmas use a slow release fertiliser to keep the bracts that lovely shade of red. Keep them warm and moist in a light position, away from radiators and not in direct sunlight.