December
It snowed down here in West Sussex last week. A light dusting, but enough for the children to get excited about and to hide the November brown garden.
The winter woolies and thermals have been dug out, not just for gardening or pottering outside, but because our lovely 18th centrury farm house isn't the warmest unless you're next to the fire.
As our children run around the house singing 'Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat', even with no sign of a goose within miles, I wonder what guise Christmas will be in this year, covid dependant. Either way, I can't wait to start decorarting the house with holly trailing from every picture and to make the Christmas wreaths.
That aside, the garden on the whole falls into hibernation as the last of the perennials die back and recouperate ready for spring. Yet, the winter beauties are just beginning. The cornus have now lost their leaves uncovering their fiery stems and the winter jasmine displaying little pops of yellow.
So where there's a chance, wrap up and enjoy these winter marvels, they are there to be relished before they disappear, along with a few other things that you could be getting ahead with in the garden.
What to do in the garden this month:
Sow/plant:
Broad beans direct outside.
Bulbs for spring, it's not too late!
Plant out bare root roses and hellebores.
Take hardwood cuttings of shrubs and fruit bushes.
Mulch heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve structure and drainage.
Harvest/Pick:
Kale, sprouts, spinach, leeks, cabbage, parsnips.
Get ready for Christmas by making a wreath and cutting holly and other foliage to
decorate with.
Secature/lopper jobs:
Prune vines, currants and Japanese acers that are now dormant.
Remove yellow brussels sprout leaves.
Cut back tall asparagus foliage once yellow and brittle and mulch with manure or compost.
Pinch out autumn sown sweet peas.
Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years. – Unknown
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