Head of Horticulture blog: December 2024

From maintenance and planning to planting and wildlife care, here are the key gardening jobs to tackle in December.

 December is an excellent month to tidy up the garden, ensuring it’s in good shape before harsher weather arrives.

• Clear Leaves and Debris: Fallen leaves can smother lawns, breed pests, and encourage fungal diseases. Rake them up and add them to your compost bin. Leaves from plants like oak or beech are perfect for creating a fantastic soil conditioner.
• Clean Tools and Greenhouses: Wash, oil, and sharpen tools to keep them in good condition for spring. If you have a greenhouse, clean the glass to maximise incoming light. Disinfect pots and seed trays to prevent disease.
• Protect Plants and Containers:  Move tender plants to a greenhouse or conservatory, or wrap them in fleece to guard against frost. Raise pots off the ground with bricks or pot feet to improve drainage and prevent freezing.

Pruning and Cutting Back

Winter pruning is a vital task in December, particularly for maintaining healthy plants and encouraging vigorous growth next season.

• Fruit Trees: Apple and pear trees (but not stone fruits like cherries or plums) can be pruned now to improve their shape and encourage better fruiting. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
• Roses: Cut back hybrid tea roses to about half their height to prevent wind damage. Clear fallen leaves to reduce the risk of black spot.
• Deciduous Shrubs: Prune shrubs like wisteria, reducing long stems to two or three buds to ensure an abundance of flowers next year.

Planting and Sowing

While December isn’t the busiest month for planting, there are still some jobs to keep green thumbs busy.

• Bare-root Trees and Shrubs:Deciduous trees, fruit bushes, and hedging plants can be planted while they’re dormant. Bare-root plants are often more affordable and establish well when planted during the winter months.
• Spring Bulbs:If you haven’t already planted daffodils, tulips, or hyacinths, do so now before the ground freezes. They’ll bring vibrant colour to your garden in early spring.
• Winter Vegetables:Sow hardy varieties of broad beans and peas under cloches or in a cold frame. Garlic and onions can also be planted in well-drained soil.

Care for Wildlife

December is a challenging time for garden wildlife, and small actions can make a big difference.

• Feed the Birds:Install bird feeders and fill them with seeds, nuts, or suet to provide much-needed energy. Clean feeders regularly to prevent the spread of disease.
• Provide Shelter:Leave some areas of your garden untidy. Piles of logs, leaves, or stones can offer refuge to hedgehogs, frogs, and insects. Consider installing a bug hotel or birdhouse for added support.
• Break the Ice:If you have a pond, ensure part of it remains unfrozen to allow fish and amphibians to breathe. Place a floating ball on the surface to prevent it from freezing over entirely.

Maintain Lawns and Borders

Your lawn and borders may not be growing actively, but they still need some attention.

• Avoid Walking on Frosty Lawns: Frost can make grass brittle, and walking on it can cause damage.
• Edge Borders: Tidy up the edges of your flower beds to maintain a neat appearance and make spring planting easier.
• Mulch Beds: Spread a thick layer of organic matter, like well-rotted manure or compost, over beds. This will improve soil structure, suppress weeds, and protect plant roots from freezing temperatures.

Plan for the Year Ahead

December is also a time for reflection and planning.

• Review This Year’s Garden: Think about what worked well and what didn’t. This will help you make informed decisions for the next growing season.
• Order Seeds and Plants: Browse catalogues or online stores to stock up on seeds and plants for spring. Popular varieties can sell out early, so it’s wise to plan ahead.
• Design New Features: Whether you’re considering a new vegetable patch, flower bed, or wildlife pond, December is the perfect time to sketch out your ideas.

Enjoy the Festive Spirit

Finally, remember that gardening in December doesn’t have to be all work.

• Decorate Outdoors:Use natural materials like holly, ivy, and pinecones to create festive wreaths or garlands. Add lights to trees and shrubs to bring some cheer to dark evenings.
• Harvest Winter Produce:Enjoy fresh vegetables like leeks, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts straight from the garden for your holiday meals.

A year to remember at Furzey Gardens

Over 36,000 visitors welcomed, 26,456 teas and coffees served, more than 6,000 slices of cake enjoyed, 29 nights of theatre captivating over 4,000 audience members, thousands of stunning blooms to admire, six enchanting new fairy doors added, magical fairytales brought to life with artist decorated scenes, exciting children’s trails explored, and one spectacular RHS Hampton Court Flower Show Garden created. These are just some of the headlines and highlights from a busy year at the gardens.

As the year draws to a close, we are delighted to see so many young visitors enjoying our festive ‘How to Train a Reindeer!’ craft activity and trail. This enchanting experience runs right up until Christmas Eve, with spaces still available on weekends, as well as on December 23rd and 24th. It is the perfect way to add a little magic and adventure to the holiday season and create some unforgettable memories.

While most of our autumn display has now faded, there are still plenty of beautiful sights to enjoy as you wander through the gardens. Look out for the vibrant hips on our Rosa Rugosa, planted earlier this year, or the delicate pink-lilac berries of the Callicarpa, aptly named Beautyberry. This season also offers the perfect opportunity to admire the unique forms of trees and shrubs, from the gnarled bark of the Dawn redwood to the twisted, sculptural branches of our rhododendron collection. On your next visit, take a moment to pause and discover these captivating shapes—nature’s artistry at its finest.

As you plan your visit to Furzey Gardens, please remember that the gardens and tearoom will be closed for a short winter break from Christmas Eve until 14 February. This time allows us to prepare for the new season and ensure the gardens are in full bloom for your next visit. We look forward to welcoming you back from 14 February to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of our enchanting gardens. Thank you for your support, and we wish you a peaceful winter season!