In The Fruit Garden This December

Here are the most useful, timely jobs for the fruit garden in December, when plants are dormant and conditions are ideal for pruning, planting, and protecting crops for next year:

🍎 Top Tips for the Fruit Garden in December 

🌳 1. Prune Apples and Pears 

• This is the best month to prune apple and pear trees while they’re fully dormant. 
• Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches; open up the centre for airflow. 
• Do NOT prune plums, cherries, or apricots now—wait until summer to avoid silver leaf disease. 

🌱 2. Plant New Fruit Trees and Bushes 

• Ideal time to plant bare-root apples, pears, plums, cherries, quinces, and soft fruit (currants, gooseberries, raspberries). 
• Plant when soil is workable (not frozen or waterlogged). 
• Add compost but don’t over-fertilise at planting. 

🫐 3. Prune Soft Fruit 

• Currants (red, white, black): cut out old, dark wood and encourage new shoots. 
• Gooseberries: open up the centre to reduce mildew. 
• Autumn-fruiting raspberries: you can cut them to the ground now, or leave until Feb. 
• Summer raspberries: remove old fruited canes only. 

🍓 4. Care for Strawberries 

• Remove old leaves and any rotting fruits. 
• Clean up debris to reduce vine weevil and botrytis. 
• Mulch beds lightly for winter protection, but avoid covering crowns. 

❄️ 5. Protect from Frost, Wet & Wildlife 

• Wrap young or tender fruit trees with fleece in harsh spells. 
• Use stakes or guards to prevent wind rock. 
• Netting can deter pigeons from pecking buds on fruit bushes. 
• Check tree guards for rabbit and vole damage.

🍇 6. Look After Grapevines 

• December is a good time to prune outdoor grapevines before sap starts rising (usually Jan). 
• Cut back to one- or two-bud spurs depending on your training system. 

💧 7. Reduce Disease for Next Year 

• Clear up fallen fruit to reduce scab and brown rot. 
• Sweep up leaves under apple and pear trees to help break pest/disease cycles. 

🧼 8. Clean, Organise & Sharpen 

• Clean secateurs and pruning saws to stop disease spreading. 
• Check ties and stakes on young trees. Replace any that are rubbing or too tight. 

🫙 9. Check Stored Fruit 

• Inspect stored apples and pears.
• Remove any that show signs of rot or shrivelling. 
• Store in a cool, airy, frost-free space in single layers if possible. 

🌱 10. Prepare for Next Year’s Feed & Mulch 

• Lay compost, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure around (but not touching) fruit tree trunks and soft fruit bushes. 
• Helps build soil health before spring growth.