December in your garden…

Hi everyone! Here we are for the last time this year, and what a year it has been – with lots of ups and downs. Let’s finish on a festive and positive note – here are my last gardening tips for 2021!

• If your over wintering plants in your greenhouse, be sure to check your heater is in good working order.
• Check your winter protection structures are still securely in place.
• If you have a pond with fish in it and it freezes over, you can melt the ice by placing a hot pan on the surface, or place a rubber ball in the water before it freezes removing it once the ice forms.
• Also make sure your outdoor taps are well insulated
• Prune open grown apples and pears (but NOT those trained against a wall)
• Prune Acers , Birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding.
• You still have time to plant or transplant deciduous trees and shrub
• Take hardwood cuttings
• Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops
• Don’t forget to reduce the watering of your houseplants.
• And most importantly don’t forget to feed the birds! 🙂

We hope everyone has a lovely December, and a very Merry Christmas. Please do consider stopping by Thorngrove for some of your gift shopping. We have everything from season plants, gift ideas, poinsettias, and of course, real Christmas trees! See you soon. – Chris Francis