The Gardener's Journal is a free monthly gardening guide delivered direct to your inbox.

Each month, receive tips on the top jobs needed in your garden as well as a wealth of information on a range of gardening topics. From sowing seeds to picking fruit, each month get access to information on the care and maintenance of your flowerbeds, vegetable plot and lawn. As with your own gardening diary, the journal is split into separate sections, each covering a different area of garden care.

Tuesday 1 December 2015

This Month in your Garden - December

Check your list


Well, the choice is yours, you can put your feet up and peruse the seed and plant catalogues by the fireside or take advantage of milder days when you can get things done in the garden. It’s handy to make a check list of things to do in December.

Check for damage to fences and trellis, gutters and drains that may have leaf blockage, plant supports, fishponds freezing over, greenhouse heaters and winter protection structures. All’s well? Good.

Lawn Care Guide - December

One more mow to go?


Depending on your location it may still be mild enough for the lawn to need a light mowing which will also give a tidier look through the winter. Grass will still grow in temperatures above 5ºC (41ºF).

Keep the lawn clear of fallen leaves which block out light and repair damaged edges and any patches. If you are planning to sow a new lawn in spring you can start deep digging, raking and tramping down the soil in preparation.

Lawn Care: Questions & Answers

Q.  We treated the lawn for moss in the autumn and raked it out but it has got worse. What would cause that?

The Vegetable Plot - December

Enjoy your festive vegetables


Are you enjoying the fruits, or rather the vegetables of your labours? Crops in season include Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, celeriac, leeks, parsnips and more. All set for Christmas.

But what about next year? You can be digging over the vegetable patch and incorporating well-rotted manure and your homemade compost but consider what is to be planted and where. Potatoes and carrots won’t like the soil rich whereas peas, runner beans, leeks and marrows like lots of organic matter. So take the time to do a little planning and consider other aspects of planting around the garden to add to your list for the coming months.

The Big Glut Recipe - December

Traditional Lamb Hotpot


A classic meal for four on a cold day, before the festive season’s proliferation of turkey meals. You’ll need greaseproof paper and some chunky country bread.

Ingredients

  • 4 thick lamb neck chops
  • Plain flour
  • 3 onions
  • 8 small potatoes
  • 3 large parsnips
  • 6 cloves of garlic
  • Olive oil
  • 8 fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper