December

June is when your garden is brimming full of flowers and iris

foliage. Flower and vegetable beds should be lush and green with new growth, whilst the lawn growth rate has peaked and should be a solid mat of green. This is a busy month in the garden with general garden maintenance taking up most of your time. Watering seedlings in the early morning and late evening should give you the opportunity to spot possible problems as they develop. Watch out for the start of any diseases or infestations and get them early before they get out of hand.

The Vegetable Garden in December

Tasks
Hoe weeds regularly Thin out seedlings Plant later season crops under glass Water salad crops regularly Feed crops with a liquid manure Pick peas to encourage more flowers Harvest early potatoes

Watering
In hot weather the single most important thing you can do in the garden is keep the plants well watered. This is even more critical in the vegetable plot. The key is to water early in the morning, or late in the evening. Do not water in the middle of the day in direct sunlight. Also remember to give the plants a good soaking at the roots and not just a dribble over the leaves. For more info see the Watering guide .

Plant out
Greenhouse raised Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Celery, Courgette's, Cucumbers, Marrows, Runner and French Beans. Beetroot, Carrots and Lettuce rows can be thinned out and further sowings can be continued.

Thinning thick bunch of carrots

Remember smaller crops will be produced when over-crowded sowings are made, and any wanted seedlings should be carefully removed. Protect Carrots from carrot fly and Cabbages from caterpillar damage by covering the crop with Enviromesh. To improve pollination for greenhouse Tomatoes just tap the flowers.

What vegetables need sowing in the garden in December

Beetroot , Broad Beans (Fava) , Cabbages , Calabrese , Carrots , Chicory , Chinese Cabbage , Jerusalem Artichokes , Kohl Rabi , Lettuce , Peas , Radish , Spring Onions , Turnips

What vegetables need pruning or thinning in the garden in December

Asparagus , Aubergines (Eggplant) , Beetroot , Brussels Sprouts , Cabbages , Calabrese , Carrots , Chicory , Chinese Cabbage , Cucumbers , Florence Fennel , French Beans , Globe Artichokes , Jerusalem Artichokes , Kale , Kohl Rabi , Leeks , Lettuce , Onions , Parsnips , Peppers , Radish , Salsify , Scorzonera , Spinach , Spring Onions , Swedes , Sweetcorn , Swiss Chard , Tomatoes , Turnips

What vegetables need harvesting in the garden in December

Beetroot , Broad Beans (Fava) , Broccoli , Brussels Sprouts , Cabbages , Carrots , Cauliflowers , Cucumbers , French Beans , Globe Artichokes , Kale , Leeks , Lettuce , Onions , Peppers , Potatoes , Radish , Rhubarb , Runner Beans , Seakale , Shallots , Spinach , Spring Onions , Swiss Chard , Tomatoes

What vegetables are ready to propagate in the garden in December

Leeks

The Fruit garden in December

Tasks

Cut back excessive growth
Water soft fruit regularly
Prepare netting for trees
Check for parasites on trees

Pest alert
Inspect fruit bushes and trees for pest and diseases, and treat as necessary. As new canes of Raspberries and Blackberries appear tie to support wires, but remember to keep them away from last year’s growth as this will flower and fruit this summer. It is a good idea to drape netting over soft fruit bushes such as currants, as well as strawberries which are either growing in rows or containers, to prevent birds, especially Blackbirds, from stripping unprotected plants of their fruit.

Cockchafer Cockchafer on raspberry cane

The Cockchafer (right) as an adult feeds on flowers and leaves, This large beetle can be up to 35mm long and can consume large quantities of leaves. The Larva also cause damage to roots of grasses, herbaceous plants and trees. The best method of controlling this pest is to use a nematode (Heterorhabditis megidis) which is watered into lawns or flower beds in August or September. This nematode attacks the Cockchafer Larva and breeds inside it's victim, then it moves on in search of it's next meal.

June Drop
Apple trees are likely to drop large numbers of excess fruit around now, this is known as the 'June Drop', and is natures way of thinning out the crop.

The Flower garden in December

Tasks

Water and weed regularly
Mulch round the plants to conserve moisture
'Dead head where required
Sow biennials and perennials
Thin seedlings
Keep a close eye on pests and diseases

Sow
Sowings can now be made outdoors of Alstroemeria, Achillea, Arabis, Canterbury Bells, Coreopsis, Erigeron, Myosotis and Sweet William. Sow in the greenhouse Polyanthus, Primrose and Pansy for autumn planting to flower in spring. In early June apply Sutton's Supergrow natural fertiliser prior to planting out summer bedding plants. Thin out hardy annuals sown direct in their flowering positions.

Plants in the home are always popular and June is an ideal time to raise foliage plants such as Coleus and the Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica). To brighten up winter and spring displays indoors, make sowings of Calceolaria, Cineraria, Primula malacoides and Primula obconica. Although it will be some time before they flower sow Cactus and Strelitzia seed. If you have any spare bedding plants left over such as Celosia, Begonia, Geranium or Impatiens pot them up to provide a colourful display in a light porch or on a windowsill, to provide colour throughout the summer.

The Greenhouse in December

Tasks
Sow late crops and early winter crops
Water and weed regularly
Fit sun screens or paint glass to reduce heat

Plant Out
Cuttings and summer-bedding plants that have been hardened off in the greenhouse can be planted into their flowering places. Don’t let plants wilt so remember to water them regularly. A weekly feed with a high-potash liquid tomato feed should be given to Cucumbers, Capsicums and Aubergines. Prepare for hot days by either using shade netting or a shading paint