Gardener's Calendar - December
Things to do in...
Holly and mistletoe. Candles and bells. I know the message. That each of you tells. ~Leland B Jacobs~
As the days shorten towards Winter Solstice there is even less daylight left to spend in the garden. Try to spend this precious time wisely fitting in those maintenance jobs, pruning and tidying up plants on fences and walls. When it is too cold and wet for working in the garden, curl up by the fire with a good gardening book, a pen and paper and plan for the spring to come.
Flower Borders
In this month there is very little to do. Really it is just a case of keeping the garden and, particularly, the 
borders free of weeds and debris. Continue to cut back faded herbaceous perennials and lift and divide them to fill gaps in the borders. Any half hardy perennials you have in the garden should by now be protected with fleece or cloches. It is very important that you check these on a regular basis, particularly after storms.
It is a very good time of year to prune and tidy over grown deciduous shrubs. There is no real hard and fast rule to this. What you are trying to achieve is a good shape and a thinning of the head. You should always try and prune to an outward facing bud and you 
must remove any diseased or cankerous wood.
As long as the ground allows, that is, not to soggy or frozen, it is a good to plant deciduous hedgerows and trees. You can also use the opportunity to transplant some existing ones. Roses can also be planted now but avoid re-planting where roses have already been.
Vegetable and Fruit Gardens
Now is a good time to prune Grape Vines, always prune a vine before January; this prevents the vine from bleeding. Always prune to a strong bud and on laterals, always leave at least two strong buds.
Use this month to prune apple and pear trees, only the open grown ones, not fan trained and espalier. When pruning an established apple or pear tree, the aim is to achieve an open 'goblet' shape with a good framework of about five main branches. This allows light and air to reach most of the leaves and fruit. Start by removing crossing, rubbing, crowded, dead, diseased, damaged and dying branches. Keep the centre of the tree open by removing larger branches with a pruning saw. If several larger branches need removing then spread the work over two or three winters as very hard pruning encourages even more vigorous growth.
It is also a good month to prune soft fruit canes. As a general rule prune this years' fruited canes back to two buds, as most soft fruit bushes fruit on two year old wood.
Those of you that enjoy vegetable gardening, make sure that everything is tidy and free of weeds and debris, then just sit back and relax and think about what you're going to grow next year.
Lawns
Continue to remove fallen leaves from your lawn. These block out light and moisture to the grass. Grass will continue to grow at temperatures above 5°C, so you may have to give a high cut if the weather remains mild. Use this month to re-cut the edges of the lawn, this will save a job in spring and smarten the appearance of the garden. Finally, on frosty mornings avoid walking on the lawn. The pressure often damages the grass and can leave brown footprints across the garden.
Patio and Greenhouse Gardening
Reduce the watering in the greenhouse and conservatory to a minimum now. Make sure that greenhouse heaters are in good working order, all shading is down and fleece and bubble wrap are in place.
December is a great time to buy houseplants. There are many available. To get the best out of Christmas houseplants, follow the guides below.
Hyacinths should be indoors now, do not put them in an area that is to warm as this will just promote leaf growth and the flowers will fade quickly.
Christmas Cacti does not like the temperature to be to warm. Try and keep the plant under 18°C and away from artificial light after dark.
Cyclamen enjoys cooler conditions and plenty of light, water this plant from a saucer below, as getting the leaves wet increases the chances of a fungal infection.
Azaleas once again like cooler conditions. Keep these plants cool and well watered to keep them looking fresh for longer. When watering it is best to use rain water from a water butt, not water from the tap.
Poinsettias, possibly the pot plant that signifies Christmas more than any other and possibly the one that presents the biggest challenge to keep. The first and most important thing is to buy from a reputable plant supplier, who will have had the plants in the right conditions in store, giving them the best start, away from cold air and draughts. Once home, place them in a warm bright area of the house, away from draughts or sudden rises in temperature. It is best to try and keep them at 15°C. Water little and often with water at room temperature.
General Tasks
Weed borders; perennial weeds are at their most vulnerable now and very susceptible to weed killers. Pruning on deciduous shrubs can still be done now. Good housekeeping will pay dividends next year.
Keep a watchful eye out for fungal infections such as black spot and botrytis, treat with a systemic fungicide.
Continue to plant as long as the ground is frost free. Protect all vulnerable plants. Plant Roses Now. Place rabbit guards around any new hedge or tree planting.
And remember to take special care of the birds and wildlife in the garden.
Plants of the Month
A selection of plants that are especially interesting this month.
Fruit trees and bushes
Christmas trees
Viburnum Tinus
Sarracoccoca
Skimmia
Roses
Euonymus
Helleborus
Christmas Trees
Selection
For many families, selection and purchase of a Christmas tree is an annual tradition. Indeed, bringing home the tree often signals the official start to Christmas. Proper selection of a tree, like any other product, will help to make the season even more enjoyable.
Height
Determine where in your home you will display your tree. With this in mind, you will be able to tell what height tree you will need and whether all four sides of the tree must be suitable for display.
Shape
Some prefer a slender tree; others want one which is larger and more bulky. It is nothing more than your personal preference!
Last of all check your trees for freshness; the tree should have a good strong blue / green colour, stiff needles and a good scent. Here at Redfields all our trees are fresh, being cut no more than 48hrs before delivery. They are harvested from sustainable plantations. An interesting fact:- "Christmas trees benefit the environment by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. One acre of trees provides enough daily oxygen for at least 18 people. Two and a half acres of Christmas Trees will absorb 6 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year" So by now you have picked your tree, helped the environment, gone to pick your stand and new decorations, now all you have to do is get it home. Once you have got the tree home and decorated it, you need to look after it.
Care
Here are some great tips to keep your tree through the Christmas.
Once you have returned safely home with your Christmas tree, its continued freshness depends upon the type of care you provide.
The tree should have a fresh cut across the bottom, about 1 inch above the old base. This removes any clogged wood that may not readily absorb water. Next, the tree should be placed in a stand with a large reservoir of water and located in the room. Depending upon the size, species, and location of the tree, it may absorb up to 4 litres of water in the first day, so it should be checked frequently and re-watered as necessary.
It is important that the tree always be kept watered and not allowed to dry out. If the tree does become dried out, it may not be able to adequately absorb moisture once it is re-watered, and it will shed its needles prematurely. Taking the tree down and cutting about a 1-inch slice off the bottom of the trunk, then replacing the tree in the stand and re-watering, will remedy this problem. Although inconvenient, it is the only way to prevent early needle loss. Overall, a good rule of thumb is to treat a green Christmas tree just like a fresh bouquet of cut flowers.
The Christmas tree should be located in a safe place, preferably near a wall or corner where it is not likely to be knocked over. Keeping the tree away from heat sources such as hot air ducts, wood stoves, fireplaces, etc., will help to preserve freshness. Similarly, light cords and connections used in decorating the tree should be in good working condition. Lights should always be turned off at bedtime or when leaving for an extended period of time.
At Redfields
The Noble Fir is often classed as THE Christmas tree. It has thick, soft, blue-green needles that have excellent needle retention properties and a beautiful fragrance. Noble Firs are a very heavy tree and this is due to the need to trim heavily to gain the fullness and shape. Our Noble Firs are specially selected for uniformity and density. Highly labour intensive but well worth the wait. This is a cut tree without roots and requires a stand.
The Nordman tree is one of our best selling trees and easily a family favourite. The original non-drop tree with good needle retaining properties, soft, wide and flat, dark green needles. The tree presents a wide conical shape with good dense branches.
If you’re looking for ideas or some inspiration, visit Redfields where our staff can help you with all of the above and MUCH MORE.
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Opening Times
Monday to Saturday
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Address
Ewshot Lane
Telephone
Tel: 01252 624444 |
