December

Firm the ground around plants lifted by frost.

Dig over ground reserved for annuals next year.

If your pool ices over, create a hole in the ice to allow gasses to escape.

Spray your existing fruit trees when dormant and finish planting.

Protect your valuable trees and shrubs in harsh weather. Plant out new trees and shrubs in containers.

Protect dormant bulbous plants and autumn planted plants.

Ensure lagging is in place around outdoor pipes and fixtures.

Shake off and heavy falls of snow from hedges, shrubs and trees so that they are not weighed down .

Firm the ground around plants lifted by frost.

Complete planting of roses in finer weather if ground is dry.

Clean up any dead tops of plants in your borders.

Dig over heavy soils to be overweatherd.

Plan which seeds you want to plant for spring and dig over beds reserved for annuals.

For indoor colour, bring in your flowering bulbs.

Continue planting shrubs and trees.

Apply a nitrogenous fertiliser to fruit trees and bushes grown in grass.

Cover your vegetables to promote early growth.

Sharpen your cutting tools in readiness for the year ahead.

Wash and clean all seed trays and pots.

Firm the ground around plants lifted by frost.

Clear remaining dead tops of plants.

Dress beds for annuals with bone-meal and sow indoors half-hardy annuals.

Protect your pool from ice and remove weeds from bog gardens.

Cut bach overgrown hedges towards the end of the month.

Sow peas and beans, and start sprouting potatoes.

Plant out your containers with trees or shrubs.