Gardening Jobs in December
Introduction: December’s Gardening Reverie – Embracing Rest and Cultivating Dreams
As the earth wraps itself in the quietude of winter, December unfolds as a month of repose and reflection in the realms of gardening and allotments. The year’s cycle gently closes, offering both seasoned horticulturists and those tending to allotments a moment of respite—a time to rest, rejuvenate, and let dreams germinate beneath the frost-kissed soil.
December, with its frost-laden mornings and crisp air, carries a serene beauty. Gardens and allotments, though seemingly dormant, pulsate with the potential of the future, mirroring the quiet, yet profound, growth that occurs beneath the surface. It’s a time to marvel at the resilience of the natural world and to envision the verdant tapestry that will once again grace the landscape.
Join us in this introduction as we embrace the gardening and allotment tasks that December whispers. From the subtle art of winter garden care to the joyful contemplation of next season’s plans, December beckons cultivators to find beauty in the stillness, to nurture the earth’s dormant energies, and to cultivate dreams that will bloom in the seasons yet to unfold.
The weather may be frightful but the snow is so delightful! However, there are many gardening jobs in December which need doing. In this article, we will be going through all the jobs that need doing in the garden and allotment in December to keep those gardens and allotments looking great, while also preparing them for the Spring months to come. Maintaining your garden in December is important as it is a good time to do all the maintenance work and improvements as you may have little time in the warmer months to do it while you are planting all your new seeds.
We will be looking at those gardening jobs that need doing in the vegetable patch, flower garden, and fruit orchards.
Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book
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You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.
December Vegetable Garden Jobs
Introduction: December’s Gardening Hush – Tender Care and Winter Dreaming
In the serene hush of December, the vegetable garden dons its winter attire, inviting cultivators to engage in a gentle ballet of care and contemplation. As the year draws to a close, gardeners, their hands weathered by seasons past, find solace in the quietude of the winter garden—a space where the soil rests and dreams of the verdant days to come. In this month of stillness, seasoned cultivators and those new to the soil converge to honor the cycles of growth and prepare for the slumber that winter bestows.
December is a time of tender gardening—a season when the garden, once a vibrant canvas, now stands in subdued elegance, wrapped in frost-kissed stillness. It is a month that beckons cultivators to nurture the soil with a gentle touch, tidying up beds, and perhaps even envisioning the blooms and harvests that will grace the landscape in the year ahead.
Join us in this introduction as we explore the gardening hush of December—a time of reflection, preservation, and quiet anticipation. From protecting delicate perennials to planning for the future, December invites cultivators to cherish the garden’s dormant beauty and to look forward to the promise of a new gardening cycle. As winter blankets the landscape, December becomes a chapter in the gardener’s narrative—a season of rest, reverence, and the continuation of nature’s perennial dance.
You may not be growing much in the vegetable garden in December but there are many jobs that need doing in December preparing all the ground and making it look great for the Spring. Make notes of the jobs which need doing in the garden and tick them off as you have done it.
Brassicas:- Keep these netted up over the winter months to stop the pigeons from eating them due to there being not much around for them. Remove any yellow leaves from the plants. If it snows shake the snow off the netting to stop it from ripping it.
Fleece:- If you have got any delicate plants purchase some horticultural fleece and protect them in the cold weather.
Leeks:- As the ground is getting harder with the frosts you may soon struggle to pull out your leeks so get them out while the ground is still soft to work.
Parsnips:- These are great to be picked after frosts as it gives them their great flavor. However, it might get difficult to pull them out soon if we have heavy frosts. Get these out of the ground while the soil is still manageable.
Asparagus:- If you have not cut back your asparagus yet, you really need to do this. Cut it back to ground level and wait for it to grow again next year into delicious spears.
December Fruit Garden Jobs
Introduction: December’s Orchard Reverie – Embracing the Dormant Symphony of Winter’s Rest
In the quietude of December, the orchard relinquishes its vibrant tapestry, gracefully settling into the serenity of winter’s embrace. Orchard keepers, their hands seasoned by a year’s worth of care, step into a landscape where bare branches and hushed tones herald the dormancy that nature bestows upon its arboreal charges. In this month of stillness, both seasoned cultivators and those newly initiated into orchard stewardship find themselves immersed in a gentle reverie—a time of reflection, preservation, and the nurturing of the orchard’s dormant symphony.
December is a season of hushed beauty—a time when the orchard, now devoid of leaves and fruits, becomes a canvas for contemplation. It’s a month that invites orchard keepers to engage in the thoughtful tasks of winterization, ensuring the trees are fortified against the elements while preserving the spirit of the orchard for the cycles of renewal that lie ahead.
Join us in this introduction as we explore the orchard reverie of December—a month of reflective care, where every gesture contributes to the enduring vitality of the trees. From protective coverings to planning for the coming seasons, December invites orchard keepers to be both custodians and dreamers amidst the dormant branches. As winter blankets the landscape in a tranquil lull, December becomes a chapter of quiet admiration—a reverie where the orchard rests, cradled in the gardener’s attentive hands, awaiting the awakening that the cycles of nature faithfully bring.
Strawberries:- If you have not trimmed back your strawberry plants these really need doing, ready for the new growth. If you have any plants over 3 years old replace these with new plants from the runners.
Rhubarb:- If you are looking at dividing your rhubarb plants, December is a good month to do them while the plants are dormant.
Grapes:- If you are growing grape vines these can be pruned back and tidied up this month.
December Flower Garden Jobs
Introduction: December’s Garden Reverie – Embracing Stillness Amidst Winter’s Hush
In the quiet embrace of December, the flower garden unveils a serene tableau, gracefully surrendering to the hush of winter as petals yield to the inevitable slumber. Gardeners, their hands touched by the cool breath of the season, step into a landscape where nature adorns itself with a simplicity that mirrors the tranquility of winter’s repose. In this month of reflection and dormancy, both seasoned horticulturists and those nurturing their first garden find themselves immersed in the gentle reverie of December’s floral tapestry.
December is a garden reverie—a time when the blooms, having gracefully bowed out, leave behind a canvas adorned with the stark elegance of winter. It’s a month that invites gardeners to embrace the stillness, to appreciate the beauty in dormancy, and to engage in the quiet care that nurtures the garden’s essence through the tranquil winter months.
Join us in this introduction as we explore the garden reverie of December—a month of mindful care, artistic expression, and the harmonious collaboration between gardener and garden. From preserving the subtle remnants of winter blooms to envisioning the garden’s dormant beauty, December invites gardeners to be both stewards and poets amidst the evolving floral narrative. As the garden dons its winter cloak, December becomes a chapter of contemplation—an ode to the enduring beauty of each bloom, even in the hushed lull of winter’s embrace.
Holly:- Take cuttings from your holly bushes to make Christmas displays for in the house.
Climbing Roses:- These can be pruned and tied up this month. Cut off any old flowers and tie them to the supports.
Climbing plants:- Make sure any new growth has been fastened to the supports.
Hydrangeas:- Do not be tempted to cut off the heads yet. Cut the hydrangea heads off in Spring.
Roses:- Check out any roses that have had black spots and treat them. Remove any leaves from the ground and burn them as you don’t want the black spot coming back or infecting other roses.
Top 10 Questions and Answers for Gardening and Allotment Jobs in December
- Question: Can I continue gardening in December?
- Answer: While outdoor gardening slows down in many regions, you can still perform tasks like planning for the upcoming season, checking winter cover crops, and tending to indoor plants.
- Question: How can I protect my garden from winter frost in December?
- Answer: Cover sensitive plants with frost blankets or burlap on cold nights. Mulching around plants can also provide insulation and protect roots.
- Question: What indoor gardening tasks can I focus on in December?
- Answer: December is an ideal time for indoor gardening activities such as starting seeds for early spring, tending to houseplants, and planning for the upcoming gardening season.
- Question: Should I prune my deciduous trees in December?
- Answer: December is generally a good time to prune deciduous trees, as they are dormant. Remove dead or diseased branches and shape the tree for optimal growth.
- Question: How can I protect my garden tools from winter damage in December?
- Answer: Clean and oil your garden tools in December to prevent rust and damage during the winter months. Store them in a dry and sheltered location.
- Question: Can I start a compost pile in December?
- Answer: While decomposition slows down, you can continue adding kitchen scraps and yard waste to your compost pile in December. Turn the compost regularly.
- Question: How can I protect my garden soil in December?
- Answer: Covering garden beds with a layer of straw or leaves can protect the soil and provide insulation for any overwintering plants.
- Question: Can I plant anything outdoors in December?
- Answer: In some milder climates, you may be able to plant cold-tolerant crops like winter greens and herbs. Check local conditions for suitability.
- Question: How often should I water my garden in December?
- Answer: Water sparingly in December, as plants are not actively growing. Monitor soil moisture and water only when necessary.
- Question: What should I do if I notice signs of pests in December?
- Answer: Inspect plants for signs of pests and apply dormant oil to fruit trees to control overwintering insects. Remove any infested plant material.
Conclusion
In conclusion, December marks the gentle hush of the gardening and allotment year as nature settles into its winter slumber. As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, gardeners and allotment keepers engage in reflective and preparatory tasks that bring closure to the current season and set the stage for the dormant months ahead.
The activities of December, from protecting garden beds to planning for the next growing season, embody the essence of a mindful and cyclical approach to gardening. This month invites practitioners to appreciate the dormant beauty of a garden—where skeletal branches and frost-kissed remnants hold a serene allure.
December’s tasks are not only about preserving the health of the garden but also about nurturing the spirit of anticipation. As gardeners clean and store their tools, apply winter mulch, and perhaps dream about the crops and blooms to come, they become stewards of the promise of renewal inherent in every gardening cycle.
As the gardening year gracefully concludes, December whispers of the potential for growth and transformation that lies dormant in winter’s embrace. By approaching the tasks of this month with mindfulness and a sense of connection to the seasonal rhythms, individuals ensure that their gardens and allotments will awaken with vitality and beauty when the first signs of spring emerge.
We hope you have found the gardening jobs in December useful. Make sure you get them all done to keep that garden and allotment looking great all year round. Find out what plants you can sow in December here.
