December Garden Checklist

December may be one of the coldest months of the year, but that doesn't mean the gardening season has come to an end. While the garden may appear quieter, there are still plenty of jobs to keep you busy and help prepare your outdoor space for the year ahead. From protecting plants against frost and maintaining your lawn to planting bare-root trees, winter vegetables and spring-flowering bulbs, December is an important month for looking after your garden.

Whether you're a keen gardener or simply want to keep your outdoor space looking its best, our December gardening checklist will help you make the most of the winter season.

So wrap up warm, grab your gardening gloves and discover what to do in the garden this December.
 

December Gardening Checklist: Essential Jobs for the Month

1. Protect Plants from Frost

One of the most important December gardening jobs is protecting vulnerable plants from freezing temperatures. Tender plants, particularly those growing in pots and containers, are more susceptible to frost damage as their roots have less protection from the cold. Move vulnerable containers into a greenhouse, conservatory or sheltered position where possible. For plants that need to remain outdoors, use horticultural fleece to provide additional insulation.

You can also wrap pots in bubble wrap or hessian to help protect roots from freezing.

Pay particular attention to:

• Tender perennials.
• Citrus plants.
• Young shrubs and newly planted plants.
• Tree ferns and other frost-sensitive plants.
• Plants in exposed pots and containers.

Remember to remove fleece during milder spells when appropriate to allow plants to breathe.

2. Keep Your Lawn Looking Healthy

December isn't usually a month for regular lawn mowing, but there are still a few things you can do to keep your grass in good condition.

Remove fallen leaves to prevent them from smothering the lawn and creating damp conditions that encourage disease. Avoid walking on frosty grass, as frozen blades can become damaged and turn brown. If the weather is mild and the ground is dry enough, you can carry out a light final cut if necessary. However, avoid mowing wet or waterlogged lawns.

December is also a good time to clean and service your lawnmower ready for spring.

3. Clear Fallen Leaves

Autumn leaves often continue falling into December, particularly from trees and shrubs that hold onto their foliage for longer.

Regularly clear leaves from lawns, patios, paths and driveways to prevent slippery surfaces and protect your grass. Rather than throwing everything away, collect fallen leaves and use them to make leaf mould. Simply pile the leaves into a composting bag or wire enclosure and allow them to break down naturally. Leaf mould makes an excellent soil conditioner and can be used around borders, shrubs and established plants once ready.

Consider leaving some leaves in quiet corners of the garden to provide shelter for beneficial insects and other wildlife.

4. Mulch Flower Beds and Borders

December is an excellent time to mulch your garden borders, provided the soil isn't frozen or waterlogged.

Spread a layer of well-rotted compost, leaf mould or organic mulch around established plants and shrubs.

Mulching helps:

• Insulate plant roots during cold weather.
• Improve soil structure.
• Retain moisture.
• Suppress weeds.
• Add organic matter to the soil.

Apply mulch around the base of plants, taking care not to pile it directly against stems or tree trunks.

5. Prune Roses and Fruit Trees

Winter is a useful time for carrying out certain pruning jobs while many plants are dormant.

In milder weather, you can begin pruning established apple and pear trees, removing dead, damaged or crossing branches to encourage a healthy shape. Roses can also benefit from some winter attention. Remove dead or damaged growth and reduce particularly tall stems where necessary to help prevent wind rock. Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs at this time, as you could remove next year's flower buds.

Always check the specific pruning requirements of individual plants before getting started.

6. Look After Garden Birds and Wildlife

December can be a difficult month for garden wildlife, as natural food sources become harder to find.

Make your garden more wildlife-friendly by:

• Keeping bird feeders topped up.
• Providing fresh, clean water.
• Cleaning bird feeders and bird baths regularly.
• Leaving some seed heads and plant stems standing.
• Creating log piles and undisturbed areas for insects.
• Avoiding unnecessary winter garden tidying.

Even small changes can make a big difference to birds, insects and other wildlife during the colder months.

Shop Bird Care

7. Protect Outdoor Taps and Water Pipes

Freezing temperatures can cause outdoor taps and exposed pipes to freeze and potentially burst.

Disconnect garden hoses, drain them and store them somewhere dry. Insulate exposed outdoor taps and pipework using suitable frost protection materials.

If you have a water butt, check that it is secure and that excess water can drain away safely.

8. Clean and Maintain Gardening Tools

Winter is the perfect opportunity to give your gardening tools some attention.

Clean soil and plant debris from spades, forks, trowels and pruning tools. Sharpen blades where necessary and apply a light coating of oil to metal surfaces to help prevent rust. Check garden machinery and arrange any servicing before the busy spring gardening season begins. Looking after your tools now means they'll be ready to use when the weather improves.
 

What Can You Plant in December?

You might think December is too cold for planting, but there are still plenty of plants that can be introduced to your garden during winter.

The key is choosing varieties that are suitable for colder conditions and planting when the soil is workable, rather than frozen or waterlogged.

Here are some of the best things to plant in December.

1. Bare-Root Trees

December is an excellent time to plant bare-root trees while they are dormant.

Bare-root trees are generally more affordable than container-grown alternatives and can establish well when planted during the dormant season.

Popular choices include:

• Apple trees.
• Pear trees.
• Plum trees.
• Cherry trees.
• Silver birch.
• Rowan trees.

Choose a suitable position, prepare the soil with organic matter and water thoroughly after planting if conditions are dry.

Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or excessively wet.

2. Hedging

If you're thinking about adding privacy, structure or wildlife value to your garden, December is a great time to plant hedging. Many hedging plants establish well during the dormant season .

Popular options include:

• Beech.
• Hawthorn.
• Hornbeam.
• Hazel.
• Field maple.
• Privet.

Hedging is particularly useful for creating natural boundaries and providing shelter for birds and other wildlife.

3. Garlic

December can still be a suitable time to plant garlic in milder parts of the UK, provided the soil is well-drained and workable.

Choose a variety suitable for autumn or winter planting and separate the bulb into individual cloves. Plant each clove approximately 5cm deep, pointed end upwards, with around 15cm between cloves. Garlic prefers a sunny position and well-drained soil. If your garden has heavy, waterlogged soil, consider planting in raised beds or containers instead.

4. Broad Beans

Broad beans are another vegetable that can be planted in December in sheltered gardens and milder parts of the UK.

Choose a hardy autumn-sowing variety such as 'Aquadulce Claudia'. You can sow seeds directly into prepared soil or start them in individual pots for planting out later. Autumn-sown broad beans can establish roots over winter and often provide an earlier harvest the following year. In colder areas, wait until conditions improve or grow them under suitable protection.

5. Winter Onions and Shallots

December can be suitable for planting overwintering onion sets and shallots, particularly in milder regions with well-drained soil.

Choose varieties specifically recommended for autumn or winter planting. Plant onion sets with their tips just showing above the soil surface, spacing them according to the variety's instructions. Avoid planting in areas where water collects, as bulbs are more likely to rot in saturated soil.

6. Spring-Flowering Bulbs

If you missed planting bulbs earlier in autumn, December can still offer an opportunity to plant some spring-flowering varieties, particularly if the bulbs are still firm and healthy.

Suitable choices include:

• Tulips.
• Daffodils.
• Crocuses.
• Alliums.
• Snowdrops in the green, where available.

Tulips are particularly suitable for later planting, as they can be planted into December while the ground remains workable.

For other bulbs, earlier autumn planting is generally preferable, so check individual planting recommendations.

7. Winter Bedding Plants

Winter bedding plants are perfect for adding colour to containers, window boxes and garden borders when much of the garden is looking dormant.

Popular choices include:

• Winter pansies.
• Violas.
• Winter-flowering heathers.
• Cyclamen.
• Primroses.
• Ornamental cabbage and kale.

These plants can provide welcome colour throughout winter and into early spring.

Plant them in good-quality compost and ensure containers have adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging.

 

December Greenhouse Jobs

If you have a greenhouse, there are several useful jobs to complete during December.

Although growth slows considerably during winter, a little maintenance will help protect your plants and keep your greenhouse in good condition.

Here are some useful greenhouse jobs:

• Clean greenhouse glass to maximise available daylight.
• Remove dead leaves and old plant debris.
• Check greenhouse heaters and frost protection equipment.
• Insulate the greenhouse using horticultural bubble wrap.
• Water plants sparingly, avoiding waterlogged compost.
• Check regularly for pests and fungal diseases.
• Ventilate on mild days to reduce excess humidity.

You can also continue growing winter salads such as lettuce, rocket and mustard leaves in a suitably protected greenhouse.

Winter Garden Maintenance: Preparing for January

December is all about protecting your garden and getting ahead with preparations for the new year.

As well as planting and tidying, there are a few additional jobs that can make life easier when spring arrives.

Check Fences, Sheds and Garden Structures

Winter winds can cause damage to fences, sheds, pergolas and trellises.

Check for loose panels, damaged posts and unstable structures, and make any necessary repairs before stronger winter weather arrives.

Secure climbing plants and remove loose or damaged growth where necessary.

Protect Pots and Containers

Terracotta and ceramic pots can crack when moisture freezes and expands.

Raise containers off the ground using pot feet or bricks to improve drainage and reduce the risk of frost damage.

Move particularly vulnerable plants into sheltered positions and wrap containers where appropriate.

Plan Your Garden for Spring

December is a wonderful time to start thinking about what you would like to achieve in your garden next year.

Take a look at your borders, containers and vegetable beds and consider what worked well during the previous growing season.

You might want to:

• Introduce new flowering shrubs.
• Create a colourful spring bulb display.
• Grow more vegetables.
• Add pollinator-friendly plants.
• Improve garden pathways and seating areas.
• Create a dedicated wildlife-friendly space.

Planning now gives you plenty of time to research plants, order seeds and prepare for the busy spring gardening season.

What Not to Do in the Garden in December

Although there are plenty of jobs to tackle, it's important to avoid disturbing plants and soil unnecessarily during winter.

Here are a few things to remember:

• Don't walk on frozen lawns, as this can damage the grass.
• Avoid digging or cultivating waterlogged soil.
• Don't plant into frozen or saturated ground.
• Avoid heavy pruning of spring-flowering shrubs.
• Don't leave tender plants exposed to severe frost.
• Avoid overwatering dormant plants in pots.
• Don't remove every seed head or dead stem, as these can provide valuable wildlife habitats.

Always choose a suitable day for gardening and avoid working the soil when conditions are particularly wet or cold.

Make the Most of Your December Garden

Although December brings shorter days and colder temperatures, there is still plenty to enjoy in the garden.

From planting bare-root trees and fruit bushes to adding colour with winter bedding plants, December offers plenty of opportunities to improve your outdoor space.

It's also an important month for protecting established plants, supporting garden wildlife and preparing your garden for the challenges of winter. A little time spent maintaining your garden now will help ensure everything is ready to flourish when spring arrives.

So, whether you're planting something new, tidying your borders or simply enjoying the fresh winter air, make the most of your December garden.

Happy gardening!