December Gardening Jobs

December marks the true start of winter, with colder temperatures, shorter days, and increased risk of frost, snow, and wet conditions. While many of the traditional gardening tasks slow down at this time of year, there is still plenty to do to keep your garden healthy, safe, and well-maintained through winter.

Whether you’re a professional gardener or a homeowner, these December gardening jobs will help protect your outdoor space - from lawns and hard surfaces to trees, pots, and winter crops, ensuring everything is ready to thrive again in spring.

Every month brings essential maintenance tasks, even in winter:

• Continue clearing fallen leaves and garden debris to keep spaces tidy and reduce the risk of disease.
• Inspect, clean, and service all gardening tools and equipment so they’re ready for the next season.
• Replace or upgrade worn tools and equipment where needed.
• Ensure greenhouse heaters, cloches, fleece covers, and winter protection are secure and working correctly.
• Insulate outdoor taps to prevent freezing during cold spells.

Damp, shaded winter conditions encourage algae and moss growth on hard surfaces, creating slip hazards:

• Clean patios, decking, driveways, and walls to remove algae and moss and restore a safe, clean finish.
• Treat green or slippery surfaces with a suitable surface biocide for safer winter access.
• Wooden outdoor furniture and fencing can also be treated to remove moss and algae.
• Monitor ponds closely and prevent them from freezing over—especially if fish are present. A pond heater can help maintain safe temperatures.

Products like Mac Hi-Power or AlgoClear Pro excel at the treatment of Moss & Algae in both domestic and managed settings.

Winter can be tough on lawns, so protection is key:

• Avoid walking on lawns during frost or snow, as grass blades become brittle and soil compaction can cause long-term damage.
• Shovel off heavy snow where possible to prevent prolonged stress.
• Clear fallen leaves and worm casts during mild conditions to reduce disease risk.
• Watch for lawn diseases such as Microdochium Patch (Fusarium), which thrives in damp, foggy weather and appears as circular yellow patches. Treat with an appropriate lawn fungicide.
• Feeding with a high-potassium fertiliser can help strengthen grass and prevent disease, but only if grass is still actively growing and no frost is present or expected.
• Remember that lawns are largely dormant in winter, so fertiliser treatments may not always be effective.

Winter weather can cause damage, so regular checks are important:

• Inspect trees, shrubs, and hedges for wind damage and remove any overgrown, sagging, or damaged branches.
• Remove snow from conifers, hedges, and shrubs to prevent branches snapping under the weight.
• Continue planting trees and shrubs, provided the soil is not frozen or waterlogged.
• Prune overgrown shrubs and hedges where appropriate.
• Prune dormant fruit trees such as apples and pears, along with climbers like grapevines and roses.
• Take hardwood cuttings for propagation.
• Protect vulnerable plants with horticultural fleece.
• Move potted plants to sheltered areas during frost; terracotta pots should be moved indoors to prevent cracking.

Preparing beds and borders now helps ensure a healthy garden next year:

• Cut back and remove dead growth to maintain a tidy appearance and reduce pests and disease.
  
• Pile cut vegetation and sticks in a quiet corner to create a sheltered habitat for insects and wildlife.
  
• Prune open-grown apples, pears, acers, birches, and vines before Christmas to prevent sap bleeding.
  
• Continue planting dormant deciduous plants where conditions allow.

December still offers opportunities for harvesting and preparation:

• Harvest winter vegetables such as leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.
  
• Protect soil from freezing before harvest by adding a layer of straw.
  
• Keep mice and pests away from stored produce.

Secure all winter protection structures, including fleece and cloches.

• Check greenhouse heaters regularly to guard against frost.
• Prevent ponds from freezing to protect aquatic life.
• Take hardwood cuttings for future planting.
• Reduce watering of houseplants to suit lower light levels.
• Continue general garden clean-up to prevent pest and disease build-up.

What should you prune in December?
Hedges, shrubs, climbing roses, grapevines, and fruit trees such as apple and pear can all be pruned during December while dormant.

Is it worth planting anything in December?
Yes, ornamental trees, deciduous shrubs, bare-root roses, and potted winter shrubs can all be planted if the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged.

Can I plant grass seed in December?
Grass seed usually requires warmer temperatures to germinate, so spring and autumn are best. However, specialist winter grass seed can germinate at lower temperatures (around 5°C). Even so, young shoots remain vulnerable to sudden cold snaps.