Other Jobs Around The Garden, Patio and Home Area for December

Here are the best, practical and timely tips for the garden, patio and around the home in December — a month of cold snaps, short days, and important preparation for the new year. 

🏡 Top Tips for Around the Garden, Patio & Home in December 

❄️ 1. Protect Outdoor Pots from Frost 

• Group pots together in a sheltered spot near the house wall. 
• Raise them on pot feet to improve drainage and prevent cracking. 
• Wrap terracotta pots with bubble wrap or fleece to stop frost damage. 

💧 2. Prevent Slippery Paths & Patios 

• Sweep away leaves and algae — wet leaves make paths dangerously slippery. 
• Use a stiff brush or pressure washer on mild days to remove moss. 
• Spread grit sparingly in icy weather (avoid salt near plants if possible). 

🍂 3. Clear Gutters, Drains & Water Butts 

• Make sure gutters and downpipes are free of leaves to avoid blockages. 
• Empty or insulate water butts so the taps don’t freeze. 
• Clean filters on water features and pumps. 

🪴 4. Protect Patio & Container Plants 

• Wrap tender shrubs (e.g. olives, bay, citrus) with fleece during cold spells. 
• Move vulnerable plants to a greenhouse, cold frame, or sheltered porch. 

🐦 5. Support Wildlife 

• Clean and refill bird feeders regularly — birds rely on steady food sources in December. 
• Break ice on bird baths and top up with fresh water. 
• Leave some leaf piles for hibernating insects and hedgehogs. 

🔥 6. Look After Outdoor Furniture & BBQs 

• Store furniture under cover or use waterproof covers. 
• Clean BBQs or fire pits and store fuel in a dry place. 
• Treat wooden furniture with oil or preservative if conditions are dry. 

🌬️ 7. Storm-Prep the Garden 

• Check trellis, fences, sheds and greenhouses for loose fixings. 
• Secure anything that might blow over — pots, ornaments, small furniture. 
• Tie in climbing roses and long shoots to prevent wind damage. 

🌿8. Manage Garden Waste & Compost 

• Add kitchen scraps, fallen leaves, and shredded cardboard to the compost heap. 
• Turn your compost on a mild day to add oxygen and speed breakdown. 
• Cover open compost heaps with a tarp to stop winter rain leaching nutrients. 

🚪 9. Prepare the Home for Winter Weather 

• Wrap outside taps or turn them off at the stopcock to prevent freezing. 
• Clear boots, tools, and outdoor kit from porches so they don’t freeze or get damp.