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December Trees Winter is a very good time for planting trees, as they are dormant now and so less likely to be stressed during planting. Don't plant if the soil is frozen or waterlogged as this will be very difficult and cause untold damage to tree roots. Use a quality compost and mix this into the soil in the planting hole before planting. Choose Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost for excellent results. This compost is formulated to improve the soil around the plant roots; it contains grit to enhance the drainage at root level and also fertiliser to nourish the roots. After heavy winter rain, top up mulches around the base of your trees. Don't add fertiliser or plant food at this time of year as it could promote early growth that would be affected by frost and freezing winds. For large areas use a quality mulch such as Pine Bark or Chipped Bark that will look more natural under a tree and is better suited to large open spaces. If the tree is in a small border in the lawn or part of a smaller ornamental bed choose a finer mulch such as Mini Chipped Bark or Cocoa Shell. Clear up any leaves and debris from around the base of your trees as these may harbour a variety of pests and diseases. Keep the base of your trees free from grass, as this will compete for vital nutrients and moisture during the growing season. It can also provide protected sites for overwintering pests and diseases. Roses and Shrubs Lightly dig over any bare soil around roses and shrubs to expose overwintering pests for the birds to eat. Clear up any fallen leaves and debris from beneath rose plants to reduce the chance of black spot and other rose problems from lurking nearby. Finish planting bare root roses; dig plenty of Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost into the soil in the planting holes to give them the best possible start. Take a look around the garden and locate areas that are bare of winter interest and colour. There are many shrubs that perform during the depths of winter that can be planted now. For plenty of ideas visit your local garden centre where you will find displays of seasonal plants that are looking great now. Make sure you pick up some Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost too to help them establish more quickly and give an excellent display year after year. Good plants to choose include Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price', a lovely evergreen shrub with attractive pale pink flowers that change to pure white. Mahonia 'Charity' has wonderful scented yellow flowers and rich green foliage or consider the dogwoods, grown for their wonderful winter stems and available in a choice of colours for striking winter interest. Fruit and Vegetables Keep the fruit and vegetable garden free from weeds. Dig over any bare soil when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged to allow the frost to break up thick clods and also to expose garden pests to the birds. Dig in plenty of Farmyard Manure or Soil Conditioner to improve the structure of the soil ready for planting in the spring. Buy seed potatoes as soon as they arrive in the garden centre. Take them out of their bags and spread them out on a tray, place in a light, frost-free place to sprout. Mulch around cane fruit with Premium Garden Soil to protect the developing shoots underground. Carry out winter fruit tree pruning, by removing any dead, diseased or crowded stems and branches. Pay particular attention to the centre of the tree which can become tangled and overgrown. The outer stems and branches should be simply trimmed, if necessary, to keep the tree in shape. Lawns Sweep up any fallen leaves and keep the lawn free from any debris. Use the natural break in grass growth to have the lawnmower serviced. Do not feed the grass over the winter. Fertiliser will speed the grass into premature growth that will not withstand the weather conditions and could actually kill the lawn. Instead wait until spring when feeding will give your lawn the best possible start for the season ahead. Root out large weeds from the lawn and keep the garden weeds under control so that they cannot seed and spread into the lawn. Keep off newly sown or turfed areas of lawn. If a heavy frost lifts new turfs then use a heavy roller during a dry spell to level them out again. If you are planning to sow a new lawn dig over the area during the winter and leave the soil in clumps on the surface for the frost to break it up. Use the winter months as a time to plan and prepare for the season ahead. If your garden needs a new lawn then plan it out over the winter so that you are ready for action when spring arrives. Beds and Borders If you haven't yet done so, tidy the borders removing dead foliage and debris and cutting back overgrown plants. Lightly dig over any bare areas of ground taking care not to damage any plant roots that may be present. If the soil is poor then add some Soil Conditioner and work this into the soil. Keep a watch out for slugs and snails that may be active in sunny spells. Use your preferred method of control. Pots and Containers Move any pots that can be moved to the shelter of a house wall or even into a cold greenhouse. This will provide some protection against the worst of the winter weather. Mulch over the roots of containerised plants with Mini Chipped Bark or Cocoa Shell to protect the root ball from extreme cold. Wrap the sides of the pots with bubble wrap to add further protection to the pot and your plants. For some seasonal winter colour choose some winter flowering plants such as Pansies, Heathers, the Christmas Rose or young plants of Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price'. Pot these up into a suitable container using John Innes Potting & Container Compost and place in a prominent position near the house so you get the full benefit of the plants. Seeds and Cuttings Check on any overwintering cuttings and seedlings regularly. Make sure they are not too wet and are adequately protected with horticultural fleece, newspaper or sacking during severe weather. Delay any plans to sow seeds and take cuttings until the weather improves in spring. Use the winter break to order your seeds for the season ahead. Ericaceous Plants After heavy snowfall gently knock snow from the stems and branches of large shrubs including ericaceous plants to reduce damage from the weight of the snow. House Plants Feed and water flowering houseplants such as Cyclamen, Azaleas, Poinsettias, and Chrysanthemums. Use Feed-all Plant Food in the ready to use formulation for fast and easy results. Foliage plants should be checked regularly and the compost allowed to dry out between watering. It is very easy to over-water houseplants and much better to err on the side of caution. Move plants off the windowsill at night to stop them from being chilled when the temperature drops further. Make sure you place them back in a light and airy place in the morning so that they can make the best use of the winter light. Feeding Most plants are not actively growing at this time of year and should not be fed. The exceptions are flowering houseplants that are encouraged to be at their best for the festive season. These plants may be fed weekly with Feed-all Plant Food. The general rule in winter is not to feed your plants. An out of season feed will encourage plants to put on early tender growth that is simply not strong enough to resist the winter weather. Soil Matters If the weather is amenable and the ground is not frozen or waterlogged then it is a good time to dig over bare areas of ground. If you have heavy clay then leave the clods of clay on the surface for the frost to break them up. Any soil that has supported strong plant growth will be in need of a little attention. Dig in some Soil Conditioner into the soil, this will add valuable organic matter to the soil to improve drainage, increase the water retention properties and encourage the activity of healthy soil organisms that breathe life into the soil. Rose beds and vegetable plots will benefit from a generous helping of Farmyard Manure. Dig this into the soil now, in preparation for the growing season ahead. Mulching After heavy winter rain it's a very good time to mulch your garden borders. In the depths of winter the garden is devoid of excess foliage so it is much easier to see the soil between your plants and to apply a mulch. Clear away any remaining garden debris, root out any perennial garden weeds and apply one of the Westland mulches over the garden soil. Each one helps to suppress garden weeds, improve and retain soil moisture and will also insulate plant roots against extreme cold or heat. Choose Chipped Bark or Pine Bark for large areas or around big established plants, or for smaller borders, containers and ornamental gardens opt for Cocoa Shell or Mini Chipped Bark.
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