What to Do in December: Gardener's Monthly Checklist

Just because it's chilly doesn't mean your garden has to hibernate! December is a perfect time to get cosy with your plants and prepare them for the months ahead. From smart winter watering to creating cosy shelters for wildlife, there are plenty of ways to keep your garden happy through the cold season. So grab a warm drink, bundle up, and let's dive into some winter garden magic!

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Winter Watering for Garden and Container Plants

During winter, both in-ground and container plants need careful attention to watering. While plants generally require less water in the colder months, maintaining the right balance is key to keeping them healthy without risking root rot or frost damage.

Tips for Winter Watering in the Garden

Outdoor plants still need occasional watering during winter, especially in dry or windy weather. Winter conditions can pull moisture from the soil, so giving plants a light drink every now and then can help insulate roots and prevent damage. However, avoid watering when the ground is frozen, as this can lead to frost heave, pushing plants up from the soil and potentially damaging their roots. Choose mild, sunny days for watering if the ground has been dry, and water in the morning to allow moisture to absorb before temperatures drop at night.

Container Plants in Winter: Keeping Them Hydrated and Protected

Container plants are especially vulnerable in winter, as their soil dries out faster and roots are more exposed to the cold. Opt for frost-resistant containers like wood or plastic, which provide better insulation than terracotta, which can crack in freezing temperatures. Ensure good drainage by using pots with drainage holes and elevating them on bricks or pot feet to prevent water from pooling and freezing, which can damage roots. To avoid overwatering, check soil moisture weekly; if the soil is dry 2–3 inches down, give a light watering. Remember, winter plants in dormancy need less water, as overwatering can lead to root rot.

Festive Holiday Plants: How to Care for Your Poinsettia Year-Round

Poinsettias bring a burst of festive colour to the winter season, but they’re often discarded once the holidays are over. With a little care, though, you can keep your poinsettia thriving all year and even encourage it to rebloom for the next holiday season.

Choosing a Healthy Poinsettia

When buying a poinsettia, select one with lush, deep green leaves and vibrant, undamaged bracts (the coloured "leaves" that resemble flowers). Avoid plants with yellowing or wilting leaves, as these may indicate stress or overwatering. Look for tightly clustered centre buds (the true flowers), which show that the plant is still fresh and at its peak.

Best Care Tips for Poinsettias: Watering, Placement, and Humidity

Place your poinsettia in bright, indirect sunlight, ideally near a north- or east-facing window, and avoid direct sun, which can burn the leaves. Keep it away from draughts, radiators, and frequently opened doors, with temperatures around 13–15°C. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing any excess to drain away, and avoid letting the pot sit in standing water, as poinsettias are prone to root rot. Indoor heating can make the air quite dry, so consider placing a humidity tray—a shallow dish with pebbles and water—under the pot to maintain a moderate humidity level around the plant.

Post-Holiday Care for Reblooming

From January to March, feed your poinsettia monthly with a high-potash fertiliser (like tomato feed) and keep watering moderate. In March, allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to give the plant a brief rest. In early April, prune it back by about 10 cm to encourage bushier growth and stimulate healthy new shoots. By May, it’s time to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining compost, choosing a slightly larger pot and adding grit or perlite to improve drainage.

During the summer, once frost risk has passed, move the poinsettia outdoors to a partially shaded spot, and continue watering regularly and feeding monthly—fresh air and filtered sunlight will support vigorous growth. Finally, in early November, begin a “dark treatment” to encourage festive colouring by giving the plant 12–14 hours of complete darkness each night for 6–8 weeks, while keeping it in bright, indirect light during the day. Be sure to avoid any artificial light at night, as this can disrupt the colour change process.

Extending Your Growing Season With Cold Frames

Cold frames are incredibly useful for winter gardening, as they trap warmth from the sun and protect plants from frost, allowing you to extend your growing season by weeks or even months. With a little planning, you can use a cold frame to grow fresh produce and keep seedlings safe throughout the colder months.

What to Grow in a Cold Frame During Winter

Cold frames are ideal for growing cold-tolerant greens like spinach, rocket, and winter lettuce, which can handle low temperatures and provide fresh produce even in the depths of winter. Hardy herbs such as parsley, chervil, and coriander also benefit from the stable environment a cold frame provides, helping them stay healthy and productive. Cold frames are also perfect for overwintering young plants like perennial flowers, brassicas (such as cabbage and kale), and onions, giving them a head start for spring.

To make the most of your cold frame, remember to open the lid on sunny days to prevent overheating and reduce humidity, which can lead to mould. Place a thermometer inside to monitor temperatures, ensuring they stay within a safe range. For extra cold nights, adding a layer of straw or a frost blanket can help retain warmth and protect your plants.

Winter Greenhouse Maintenance: Preparing for a Productive Spring

Winter is the perfect time to tackle greenhouse maintenance and prepare your growing space for the busy spring season. Regular upkeep during the colder months will maximise sunlight exposure, reduce pest problems, and create a healthier environment for your plants.

Essential Winter Greenhouse Tasks

Start by cleaning both sides of the glass or plastic panels with a soft brush and mild soapy water to remove dirt, algae, and grime that can block sunlight. For stubborn spots, a diluted white vinegar solution works well. Next, disinfect benches, shelves, and any corners where pests or pathogens could be hiding, using a solution of white vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) or hydrogen peroxide, which is a natural disinfectant. Rinse thoroughly to remove any residue.

For eco-friendly insulation in an unheated greenhouse, place straw bales around the base to help retain warmth, use wool fleece to seal gaps and block draughts, or line the interior with sheets of cardboard, which holds heat effectively.

Creating Winter Shelters for Hedgehogs, Amphibians, and Small Mammals

Winter is a challenging time for wildlife, but creating small shelters in your garden can help them survive the colder months. These habitats provide warmth, protection and contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem.

Hedgehog Shelters

Hedgehogs hibernate through winter, and a simple leaf pile or log stack in a quiet corner of your garden can provide them with an ideal shelter. Alternatively, you can build or buy a hedgehog house—fill it with straw or dry leaves to keep it cosy. Place it away from foot traffic to ensure undisturbed hibernation.

Insect Hotels and Habitats

Beneficial insects like bees and ladybirds need safe places to overwinter. You can create insect hotels by bundling bamboo canes or hollow stems together, which provide shelter for solitary bees. Leaving leaf mulch in garden beds also offers a natural refuge for insects. These shelters help pollinators and pest controllers survive until spring.

Winter Shelters for Amphibians and Small Mammals

Amphibians like frogs and toads, as well as small mammals such as voles and field mice, benefit from simple, insulated shelters during winter. To provide refuge, create habitats by stacking rocks, logs, or leaf piles near ponds or other moist areas, which will help retain the dampness amphibians need. Compost heaps are another great option, offering a warm, decomposing space that can support amphibians through the colder months.

Small mammals also appreciate piles of branches, stones, or thick leaf cover, which offer warmth and protection. Place these shelters in quiet areas of the garden where they’re less likely to be disturbed, helping both amphibians and small mammals find safe, cosy spots to survive the winter.

Winter Pruning: Boosting Garden Health in the Dormant Season

Winter pruning is an effective way to encourage healthy growth and prepare plants for a vibrant spring. Pruning during the dormant season allows you to shape plants, improve airflow, and remove dead or diseased wood without causing stress.

Winter Pruning Tips for Trees and Shrubs

For trees and shrubs, focus on fruit trees like apple and pear, cutting back branches to promote strong structure, better air circulation, and increased fruiting. Prune hybrid tea and floribunda roses into an open vase shape to reduce disease and encourage airflow, and trim wisteria in late winter by cutting back last year’s growth to stimulate flowering.

Always use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts that heal quickly, and sterilise them between plants to prevent disease spread. Remove any suckers and watersprouts, as these energy-draining growths don’t contribute to the plant’s health. Remember to prune conservatively, taking off no more than 25% of the plant to avoid undue stress.

Closing Out the Year with Winter Garden Care

With these December gardening tasks, you’ll not only help your garden survive the winter but also set the stage for a productive growing season next year. Winter may be quiet, but the work you do now will pay off in a healthy, thriving garden come spring. Happy gardening!