December’s Gardening Jobs
I may have a lot of spring bulbs left to plant but when a new allotment plot was offered to me, I just couldn’t say no!
I love the slight lull in the festive period where everyone slows down just a little bit. It’s my favourite and most creative time, being able to dream up the big plans for the following year. This week I will be making plans for the new allotment plot now that I’ve picked up the keys. My plot is mainly reserved for trialling new plants that I haven’t yet had hands on experience growing. I have loved seeing the ornamental grasses develop that I’ve grown on my last allotment site and am definitely planning on expanding my selection on the new plot.
Amongst the plant research I hope to get out into the garden to plant the final spring bulbs that are still yet to get in the ground. It’s not too late to plant them and remember, they’re much better in the ground late than still in the bags - so just go for it.
If you don’t have any bulbs left to plant, I’m letting you off easy and have just one task for you this month. I decided you deserve an end of year treat for your good behaviour…
Review your garden’s structure
This is a really good time of year to look at the bones of your garden and decide if you might need to bring in some more structure. This can come in many forms; it can be strong trees with interesting form or attractive bark, evergreen domes or shrubs within borders, hedging around the boundaries of your garden etc. etc. I’m a HUGE believer that your garden is not just for the warmer months, even if you’re not a cold weather lover you look out onto your garden all year round so why not make it a beautiful view 365 days a year?
Tall ornamental grasses and perennial seed heads look divine over the winter time, giving height and visual interest to your borders. I adore the look of seed heads when there’s a hard frost and they sparkle in the low winter sunlight. They’re also a great place for your garden’s beneficial insects to seek refuge in the colder months so leaving those stems and seedheads are a good idea over winter. You may spot some places around your garden that would look wonderful with some grasses swaying in the wintery breeze.
Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves during the winter) can provide such incredible foliage colours before their leaves drop in the Autumn and can let precious winter sunlight in on short gloomy days. However, you may be looking out at your garden and think that there’s too many bare stems and not enough greenery right now.
Now is the time to consider such changes as winter and early spring are the best times to plant new trees, hedges and shrubs in your garden.
Enjoy the festive period (whoops, task number 2)
Give yourself a break and enjoy all the festivities to celebrate the year. I’m hoping for a sunny day or two this week to be able to sneak a moment in the garden with a Baileys coffee, wrapped up warm and thinking up all the new plants and projects next year is going to bring.
I hope you have a wonderful time, however you may spend your Christmas and New Year.
From my house to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.