Gardening

Gardening Tips and Advice from THE POTTING SHED OF THE GENTLEMAN GARDENER

Hello everyone, welcome back to my potting shed. Come in and make yourself comfortable; there’s always room for you .

Wow, December already and still quite warm. Last month, the warmest place in the UK was Newquay with an average temperature of 11ºC, 45ºF in old money.

Here’s my list of jobs for you to do in December: half prune your roses, ventilate plants in frames, prune out your vines and ‘earth up’ your spring cabbages. If you have bulbs in pots, bring them into your greenhouse or a sheltered spot in your garden and control any big bug mites on your blackberries.

At this time of year, it’s a good idea to look at your garden with a fresh eye and see if there’s anything you want to change or if you would like to introduce a new feature. There’s not much work to do with your fruits at this time of year. If you haven’t fi nished pruning, promise me you’ll press on with it - set a deadline before Christmas.

As long as the weather stays open (frost free) and soil conditions are good, tree and shrub planting can continue.

If you’ve got leeks (I love leek soup), lift them from their growing positions in case we get some severe weather. ‘Heel’ them in close together, in the shelter of a wall if possible, until they head into the kitchen.

Thank you very much for your company this year. I hope you’ve found your visits helpful.

I hope you have a safe, enjoyable Christmas and a bloomin’ good 2023.

My kindest regards The Gentleman Gardener

THEGENTLEMAN