In the garden... December

December is a quiet month in the garden, nothing much is growing, days are short and often wet and cold. As a result most of us retreat inside and turn our attention to other pastimes and/or preparing for Christmas, on that note...

Tips for Happy Christmas Trees

If possible choose a locally sourced and grown tree, or one that has at least been grown in the UK rather than abroad (imported trees may have been cut as early as the beginning of October and sat on a dockside for weeks!).

When displaying trees indoors, avoid placing them too close to a fire or radiator, as this will cause excessive moisture loss and needle drop - even the ‘non drop’ varieties will shed their needles if not cared for properly.

Cut trees - treat them as you would a cut flower

• When you get the tree home, saw 2.5cm (1in) off the bottom with a saw.

• If you have bought your tree, before it is going into the house leave the netting on and stand it in a bucket of water out of the sunshine and wind.

• On taking your tree indoors, place it in a stand with a well of water in the base.

• Check daily and top up the water when the level drops - a 6ft tree can drink a pint of water a day.

• With care, cut trees should last about four weeks.

Trees in pots

• To reduce stress and damage to living trees, display them in a cool room.

• Bring trees indoors as late as possible - the weekend before Christmas is ideal.

• Do not keep living trees in the house any longer than 12 days, but be guided by the tree. If it looks unhappy, put it back outside.

In spite of the weather, splashes of colour can be found in the garden as berries (Pyracantha, Cotoneaster, Holly and Skimmia); variegated leaves (Ivy, Eleagnus, Holly and Aucuba); bark (Dogwood, Acers, Birch and Cherry) and flowers (Hellebores, winter flowering Jasmin, Viburnum and Bergenia), there may even be a few spring flowering bulbs starting to come into flower.

If you are feeling energetic and want to ‘blow some cobwebs away’ on fine days there are a few tasks you can do...

• Dig over the garden (don’t attempt this if the ground is wet and sticky, you will do more harm than good).

• Clear any remaining leaves that are still lingering in nooks and crannies, and clear away the remains of any old crops.

• Give your pots and containers of seasonal bedding an occasional liquid.

• Continue to feed the birds and make sure they have fresh water.

Sending best wishes for the festive season, and thanks for reading my column!

Jane Dale of ‘Designed Gardens’. Tel: 07983 392 411.