December Gardening Guide: Embracing the Festive Season with Essential Tips and Delightful Recipes

Explore essential gardening tasks and plant recommendations for December, along with delightful recipes to spice up your winter season.
December Gardening Guide: Embracing the Festive Season with Essential Tips and Delightful Recipes

Embracing the Festive Season: Gardening Tips for December

As December rolls in, the air is filled with the promise of frost and the warmth of Christmas celebrations. While we cozy up indoors, our houseplants may need a little extra care to thrive in the colder months.

Top Gardening Jobs for December

Flowers

  • Winter Houseplant Care: The changing temperatures, humidity, and light levels of winter can challenge our houseplants. Expert tips from Chris Collins on how to care for them during this season.

  • Elegance in Containers: Bay trees in pots add a touch of elegance, especially when they adorn a doorway. Learn how to maintain the beauty of bay trees in containers.

Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs

  • Harvest Winter Vegetables: Roasted parsnips and nutty Brussels sprouts are essential for a festive Christmas dinner. Discover the joy of growing and sharing your own vegetables.

  • Citrus Delights: Compact evergreens bearing scented flowers and winter fruits can thrive under cover in the UK, with harvests ready just in time for Christmas.

  • Nut Trees: Explore the world of nut trees for a unique addition to your garden. Opt for manageable species and dwarf cultivars to enjoy your very own nuts.

Miscellaneous

  • Greenhouse Warmth: Hartley Botanic shares strategies to keep your greenhouse warm while reducing heating costs during the winter.

  • Snow Protection: RHS expert Guy Barter provides insights on safeguarding your garden from the potential damage caused by snow.

Top Plants for December

Bergenia cordifolia

Helleborus foetidus

Phlomis russeliana

Saxifraga urbium

December Recipes

  • Christmas Clementine Chai Spice Mix: Transform your clementine peel into a delightful winter chai spice mix by drying and blending it with sweet spices.

  • Cheeseboard Fondue: Utilize your cheesy Christmas leftovers to create a rich fondue, perfect for dipping with an assortment of crudités and pickles.

Stay tuned for more seasonal gardening tips and inspiration!