Flower Garden in December - Hints and Tips
It may be December but there are still things in flower. An old favourite is the Winter Jasmine with its yellow flowers that never seem to fail. They are not on their own but it is time now to start thinking about getting ready for the next season of flowers. Meanwhile here are a few jobs to think about in the December flower garden.
Perennial Flowering Plant Maintenance
You can still lift and divide herbaceous perennials in December. Do not attempt this if the soil is too wet or if severe frost is forecast. You may find the frost lifts the plants and further frosts could kill them.
Cut back faded herbaceous perennials and add them to the compost heap if they are looking unsightly. However leave any faded flowers and seed heads that are attractive as not only do they look good when frosted but they will provide food for our wildlife garden friends.
Containers, Pots and Tubs
Raise containers onto feet or bricks if you have not already done so, which will help drainage. Many plants are killed in winter by the combination of cold and wet.
Remember to tidy up the surface of the growing medium. A layer of wet leaves may cause to crown of your potted plant to rot.
Cover large tubs with bubble wrap, Hessian or fleece which will insulate and help to stop them cracking during winter.
This is probably your last chance to take tender plants into the greenhouse or conservatory; in some areas it might be too late if an early frost has struck.
General Flower Garden Maintenance
Continue clearing leaves from beds and borders. For me this seems almost a year round job, none to be seen when I go in at night but covering the border the following morning. Where do they appear from? At least my blackbirds seem to have fun rummaging through them for food.
Break up larger leaves by mowing over them. Add to a leaf mould bin, black bin bag with holes or leaf mould heap.
If the ground is not too wet or frozen take the opportunity to remove weeds that have been hidden by summer foliage.
Avoid walking on wet soils; you will do more harm than good and compact the soil as you garden.
Add a mulch to the crowns of perennial plants that are not fully hardy.
In fact it is good housekeeping to keep a watch out for crown rot, downy mildew and similar leaf infections that will spread themselves during the wet and cold winter months when your plants are extremely vulnerable.
Root Cuttings
Root cuttings are a great way of propagating plants with good fleshy roots, perennial poppies for example.
Alpine Plants
Sow the seed of Alpines in December as they need a period of cold to break the seed dormancy.
Place a sheet of glass can be positioned over seed bed to protect it from being too wet.
Planning for the Next Gardening Year
We may not be able to get out into the garden quite as readily now but that gives us the chance and excuse to plan for next year. Where did I put those new seed catalogues?
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