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The Festive season and New Year will soon be upon us, but there are still a few jobs that need attending so we are all ready for next year’s growing season.
 
1. Carry on with Winter digging of your vegetable plots; This is a job, if possible, I like to have done by the new year, so the cold frosty winter weather can help break down the soil. I think a tidy winter plot always looks great and you have the satisfaction that this is a good job done, and once completed you can sit back and relax whatever the weather.
 
2. If the weather is too cold or wet to do any jobs outside, then there are plenty of jobs to do in the warmth of the greenhouse or shed to prepare for next year. A good clean of all the sowing equipment is required. Wash pots and seed trays with soapy water, so they are clean and ready for use early next year. Propagators and benches can also be washed down so they are clean from any pests or fungal diseases that may be hiding in those tiny crevices. This will give us all a clean start to the year ahead.
 
3. Remember during very cold weather to look after the birds regularly. Leave our bird feed and top up the birdbath so they have some fresh water to drink. If you encourage the birds into your garden at this time of year, hopefully they will also return next spring to nest and feed on some of the aphids and other pests that can cause us gardener’s problems.
 
4. I have one little job I always try to do Christmas Eve, Christmas day or Boxing Day. This is the traditional time for sowing Large Exhibition Onions, plus it will give me a good excuse for getting out of the washing up. I like to sow the variety Globo, Mammoth or Ailsa Craig, as these will grow into whoppers over 1-2lb in weight. Onion Seeds need sowing onto the surface of moist seed sowing compost, and then they should be lightly covered with fine grade vermiculite. Once sown, place in a heated propagator set at 21C (70F). Germination usually takes 10-14 days.
 
5. Whilst you have the Heated Propagator on for the Onions, you can also make an early sowing of Sweet Peppers and Chillies as these need a long growing season. Sowing early will ensure plants will fruit earlier next summer. Sow the seed onto the surface of moist seed sowing compost, and then they should be lightly covered with fine grade vermiculite. Once sown, place in a heated propagator set at a minimum of 21C (70F). Germination usually takes 14-21 days.
 
6 Give yourself time to harvest Vegetables for the Christmas lunch a few days before they are required. This year I will be enjoying Parsnip ‘Gladiator’, Carrots ‘Eskimo’, Brussels Sprout ‘Maximus’ and Leek 'Blue Solaise', all harvested fresh from my plot, along with Pea’s Hurst Greenshaft from the Freezer , and from Storage Onion ‘Santero’ for flavour to the meat juices and Potato ‘Setanta’ to make my Roasties. 
 
7. December is the ideal month for pruning Blackcurrants. Now that all the leaves have fallen off the plants it makes it easier to see what you are doing. When pruning Blackcurrants you should cut out as much old wood as possible to leave just young growth, that is less than 3 years old. The younger shoots will grow more vigorously and in turn will produce more fruit. The older wood is easily recognised because it is much darker in colour than the younger shoots, and often the bark is a lot rougher. Always try to prune down to a healthy new bud as close to the base of the plant as you can. This will help encourage new shoots to grow from the base. Once pruned give the blackcurrant plants a generous mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost.
 
8. As we have had a few frosts and Strong winds, the majority of leaves have now fallen from the trees. These can be raked up off of lawns and out of borders. This will keep the garden tidy and your Lawns will benefit from being clear of the wet leaves, that if left in place can cause fungal disease and moss to appear later on lawns. Raked up leaves can be added to compost heaps or, if short of space put them in black plastic bags and piece a few holes in the sides and tie them up and place out of the way. If left for a year and opened, the contents can then be used on borders as a nicely composted leaf mould , ideal used to improve soil or as a border mulch.  
 
9. If you have some large clumps of Rhubarb, why not cut a piece off and leave it lying on the top of the ground this month to get frosted. This cold period will spur the growth buds into developing sooner. Leave the Rhubarb laying there for several weeks until it has been frosted several times, then pot it up and move it into a warm (Not hot) greenhouse, polytunnel or shed. This will then start to produce some tender sticks of Rhubarb for you to enjoy early next spring.
  
10. Lastly on cold winter evenings, look through seed catalogues and place your orders, and start to create a sowing and planting plan, so you are fully prepared once spring arrives. You can request a copy of our gardening catalogue online or over the phone (Mon-Fri, 9am-12:30, 1:30pm-5pm)

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Gardening New Year.