Landscape gardening experts share a list of chores for December

While it is true that December is short in terms of landscape gardening chores, there are still some things you need to address before you get taken away by the holiday spirit. Don’t worry: there will not be great many chores to drain your energy and distract you from the pleasant time with your family and relatives who have come to visit.

December is mostly a time for inspection to see if everything is ready for the winter and some cleaning up duty. Without further delay, let’s get you started on the list of chores for the month of December:

• Don’t forget to turn your compost pile, if you have one. It is especially important to do this as you add leaves, decorative pumpkins from Halloween and spent plant stems.
• Leave no harvestable produce unchecked. Sometimes kale, greens and cabbage remain hidden under cover. Make sure you pick everything, or else it will die with the first snow.
• Inspect vegetable covers and ensure everything is secure and ready to face potential deep freeze.
• Apply mulch. Shredded leaves work great this time of the year, because there is plenty of material lying around just waiting for you to pick it up. Focus your efforts on mulching around dormant vegetable beds.
• Deadhead perennials. This is important for the easy growing of plants next spring. You can do the same to shrubs.
• Keep an eye out for rodents around shrubs and trees. Sometimes these pests are attracted by the mulch and cover it provides around these areas.
• Wrap vulnerable plants with burlap to keep them safe from snow and wind. This is especially important for new plants that are still vulnerable.
• Consider making some holiday decorations out of shrubs and trees. A natural element to your Christmas décor sure goes a long way.
• Remind yourself not to step on grass when it is frozen. The reason is obvious – frozen stems can easily snap and get damaged.
• Pay some attention to your lawnmower. It is best to give it a service now and avoid the spring rush.
• Your stored vegetable bulbs should be checked on. If you see any that are starting to rot, dispose of them.
• Do not water and fertilise plants that frequently. Most of them are semi-dormant anyway, so you should be less frequent at this task.
• Turn off any irrigation systems. Ensure there is no water trapped in the system, as it will freeze and expand, causing damage.
• Organise your tools. Now that you are not using them, you tools should be cleaned and properly stored for the winter months. See if anything needs repair or replacement.
• Start planning your garden for next spring. Since you will be doing little action, in the garden, you can use the time to plan what your next year’s spring garden.

Remember, you don’t really need to address all of these chores – just do what you have time for.

To find out more, simply call 020 3322 6097 or visit: http://www.fast-landscape-gardening.co.uk/landscape-designer-london/.

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