December must be one of the quietest times for amateur gardeners. The days are short, the light levels are low, it is cold, and the garden looks brown and sad. The lack of colour can be combatted by having a range of evergreens that will give it structure and a glimpse into how the garden is going to shape up in the months to come.
Lawn Maintenance
- Rake leaves from lawns so they don’t smother the grass, blocking out light and moisture.
- Mow your lawn if the weather stays mild, as grass continues to grow in temperatures above 5°C (41°F). But raise the cutting height to 2–4cm (1–1½in) – about 5mm (¼in) higher than in summer.
- Repair bare patches around lawn edges, using turf cut from other areas of the garden if available.
- Recut lawn edges with a half-moon edging iron or flat-bladed spade, to neaten up the appearance of the garden and save work next season. Also maintain a 7.5cm (3in) ‘gutter’ around the lawn edges to prevent grass spreading into your borders.
- Look out for waterlogged areas in your lawn. To improve drainage, spike the lawn with a garden fork or mechanical aerator, then brush a mix of sharp sand and loam into the holes.
Borders
Tidy up borders – cut back faded perennials to 5cms above ground level. You can leave the attractive seed heads like fennel as they are sculptural and look so interesting when frost covered. Once your borders are tidy add a layer of mulch usually about 5cm deep of compost, bark chip or well-rotted manure.
Garden Tools
Look after your garden tools, spades and forks will benefit from a good wash, dry them, and oil metal parts to prevent rust. The wooden handles can be treated with linseed oil.
Roses
Plant bare root roses as long as the soil is not soggy or frozen or alternatively keep in moist compost until weather conditions improve.
Poinsettia
There are a number of plants that flower well in our homes in December. The poinsettia is the one that readily springs to mind. Poinsettia is known for its red and green foliage and is widely used at Christmas. When purchasing a poinsettia make sure it is in good condition and no leaves are wilting as this may indicate it has been stored in conditions that are too cold for it. Avoid buying poinsettias that have been displayed near open doors as the conditions will again have been too cold.
Wrap your plant up or cover with a plastic bag to protect it on the way home.
A plant in good condition that receives good care can flower for 2 to 3 months, but most flower for 4 to 6 weeks before the flowers start to fall.
To get the best from them grow in bright, indirect light, in a draught free place with a temperature of 13–15-degree C. Water sparingly when the surface of the compost has started to dry out. Mist with water regularly to increase humidity to keep them looking their best for longer.
Christmas Cactus
Wonderful plants to have in your home and they flower for weeks and weeks. They have bright blooms, green stems, and an attractive trailing habit.
The Christmas cactus is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae) but feels soft to the touch unlike the desert cacti.
The tubular blooms are red, pink, yellow or white, and are pollinated by hummingbirds in their native environment.
These plants are commonly called Christmas cacti because they tend to bloom between November and February. Flowering is triggered by the shorter daylight hours.
How to care for a Christmas Cactus
- Stop watering your plant for 6 weeks after flowering finishes in January.
- Feed your plant during the growing season, which is between March and October. Use a good quality general fertiliser every couple of weeks, following the instructions on the packet.
- Every few years, completely replace the compost in the pot.
- Move into a slightly larger pot every few years, but not too big as it enjoys having its roots restricted.
- Keep your cactus away from intense sunlight. It prefers bright but cool conditions.