December Gardening Jobs

December is a key month for keeping your garden in good shape, supporting wildlife, and adding a touch of festive magic outdoors.

With Jack Frost making more frequent appearances, now’s the time to protect vulnerable plants. Our Protective Plant Jackets are ideal for individual plants, trees, and shrubs, while our Heavy Duty Thick Fleece can be draped over groups of plants to shield them from frost.

If you’d prefer not to spend extra at this time of year, try repurposing materials you already have at home. Old sheets, towels, and even worn-out clothes offer a simple, cost-free layer of protection.

Essential Gardening Checklist for December

Remove rotting fruit
General maintenance
Holding off on the holly
Choosing a Christmas Tree
Indoor gardening
Feed the birds

Remove rotting fruit

Clear away any ‘mummified’ fruit from apple and other fruit trees, along with dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Don’t compost these, as they can spread infection. To help prevent insect damage, try Growing Success Winter Tree Wash, which helps control overwintering insects and their eggs.

General December Gardening Maintenance

Winter storms are common, so repair any fallen fences or damaged trees and shrubs.
Keep paths, patios, and driveways clear of leaves, ice, and snow to prevent slips.
Insulate outside taps to avoid burst pipes.
If the ground isn’t frozen, winter digging helps break down heavy soil naturally.
Rake fallen leaves from beds and borders to reduce hiding places for slugs and pests.
December is a great time to prune climbing roses (now–February) and tidy dormant shrubs and hedges. Use high quality secateurs for clean, precise cuts.

TOP TIP – Dig Westland Farmyard Manure into bare soil to improve nutrient levels.

Holding off on the Holly

If you’ve grown your own holly, protect those precious red berries from birds by covering the plant with netting until you’re ready to cut sprigs for Christmas displays.

Choosing a Christmas Tree

Read our full guide on How to Choose the Perfect Christmas Tree for help picking the right type.

If you’re bringing home a cut tree:

Remove netting immediately to prevent damp and mould.
Place the tree in a bucket of water until ready to decorate.
Cut 2.5cm off the base to allow better water uptake.
Shake outside to remove loose needles and any insects.
Keep your tree away from radiators or heat sources to slow needle drop.
Stand it in a sturdy holder and give it plenty of water, up to 1–2 litres per day initially. Always keep at least 500ml topped up.

Container-grown trees typically last longest and can often be planted out in the garden after Christmas if well cared for.

Once the festivities are over, recycle your tree. See our recycling guide for tips.

Indoor gardening

Poinsettias are a festive favourite thanks to their vivid red bracts. They prefer a warm, bright spot and consistently moist (but not waterlogged) soil. Ensure decorative pots have drainage holes, and top up with a Westland’s Houseplant Droplet Feeder for easy feeding that lasts four weeks.

During very cold spells, consider moving delicate outdoor plants inside until temperatures lift.

Feed the birds

If you’ve been feeding your garden birds throughout the year, it’s important to continue through winter, as they come to depend on your garden as a reliable food source.

TOP TIP: Peckish Winter Warmer is an excellent choice, packed with seeds rich in essential winter oils and fats.