December
In The Vegetable Garden This December
Harvest winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops.
Remove yellowing leaves from your winter brassicas, they’re no use to the plant and may harbour pests and diseases.
Dig over empty borders and pile well rotted manure on top, let the worms and frosts break up the clods of soil.
If you haven’t already, cut down dead asparagus foliage and the top growth of Jerusalem artichokes.
Protect any remaining celery plants left in the soil by covering with straw or fleece.
Dig a trench for next year’s beans, fill it with compostable kitchen waste (not cooked food) and re-cover with soil. This will rot down and dramatically improve the growing conditions.
Cover winter brassicas with netting to protect them from pigeons.
Top Tip:
Lift your last leeks and parsnips before the soil becomes frozen, and heel them into trench beside a convenient path. They’ll keep for serveral months like this and can be easily brought indoor when required.
This Month's Key Tips
- Check your winter protection structures are securly in place.
- Prune acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding.
- Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops.
- Reduce watering of houseplant.
- Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing.
