December 2024

GARDENING JOBS

Fruit and Vegetables

Start to force a crown on Rhubarb now by placing a layer of loose straw over the plant and

then covering with an upturned bucket.

Move Blueberries growing in pots to a sheltered place in the garden and wrap the pot in

hessian or straw to protect the roots from any prolonged frosty spells which may occur

from now on.

Grapevines can be pruned now when they are fully dormant (all leaves have gone).

Pruning now or in January will prevent “bleeding”.

Check over any stored fruit and vegetables on a regular basis to check for rotting and

remove urgently before the others become infected.

Brussels Sprout plants can be severely weakened by strong winds so if yours are in an

exposed site staking each plant will improve the situation no end and prevent the plants

from being uprooted.

Flowers

Make sure that plants growing in containers do not dry out, especially if against a wall.

This is often neglected at this time of year.

Keep gift plants such as Azaleas and bulbs cool to prolong the display. If you had an

Amaryllis last winter and it has been rested, it can be given a first watering now to start it

back into growth.

Pests and Diseases

To control Brown Rot on fruit trees, cut away all mummified fruits from the trees at this

time to help prevent infection next year.

Spray small fruit trees now while they are dormant with Vitax Winter Wash to lessen the

number of over-wintering pests.