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December

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It’s getting even colder…

Prune apple trees this month

Frost, rainfall and winds are increasingly common, sunshine hours are much reduced and it can be bitter with a risk of snow. You may not want to be working outside at this time of year, but luckily there's not a lot to do. Keep an eye on winter protection, and if you have a greenhouse, make sure the heater works. It's time to think about pruning apples and pears too.

Top 10 things to do this month

  1. Check your winter protection structures are still securely in place

  2. Check that greenhouse heaters are working OK

  3. Prevent ponds and stand pipes from freezing

  4. Prune open-grown apples and pears (but not those trained against walls)

  5. Prune acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding

  6. Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops

  7. Deciduous trees and shrubs can still be planted and transplanted

  8. Take hardwood cuttings

  9. Keep mice away from stored produce

  10. Reduce watering of houseplants

Monthly Advice

Things to do in the garden this month:

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Weather

Rain

Rainfall is quite variable at this time of year. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland usually have more rain than England.

Take care not to tread on or work the soil when it is really wet - you will likely do more harm than good.

Sunshine

This can be one of the worst months for sunshine levels, approaching the winter solstice. The sun is also much lower in the sky at this time of year, which means that it hits glasshouses at such an angle as to make its transmission and usefulness less than in the spring or summer months.

Visibility can be further reduced by hill fogs and fogs over inland, sheltered areas. These will take longer to disperse in the cold, damp, gloomy weather at this time of year.

Light levels can limit vegetative growth of plants just as much as low temperatures. Giving extra heat to greenhouse plants will not compensate for this lack of light, and your plants may become leggy. Some plants (e.g. poinsettias) respond to reduced light by induction of flowering, or the colouring up of bracts.

Temperature

Night frosts are to be expected in all areas except for the mildest coastal regions of southwest England and in the shelter and stored heat of cities.

Frosts will help to improve the crumb structure of previously dug soil, and may kill off some pests and diseases. Tender plants will suffer unless protected.

Wind

Gales, gustiness and cold winds are to be expected. This, combined with driving rain or snow, can make for very unpleasant conditions. Frosty days, by contrast, are more likely to be still and clear.

Staking, tying in and protection of plants is a must. The wind can be destabilising, physically damaging, chilling, and very drying for plants.