December

What to do this Month – December

Plant shallots and garlic in mild areas with well-drained soil.
If hard frosts are forecast, cover trenches of stored root crops with a protective layer of cardboard so you can still access your crops to eat and enjoy during cold snaps.
Stake or earth up any Brussels sprouts stalks that look leggy and vulnerable to wind rock.
If you have not done so already, now is the time to dig over and incorporate soil improvers into vacant areas of the vegetable plot.
Clean and store bamboo canes in the shed or other dry place to ensure they’re still in good condition for next year. Broken or rotted ones can be shortened, where possible, for re-use.

Plant new trees and bushes. Don’t plant if the ground is waterlogged or frozen.
Thin out congested spurs of restricted fruit trees (avoid pruning stone fruits in winter).
Prune apples, pears, quinces and medlars.
Prune autumn raspberries.
Prune red and white currants and gooseberries.