December: shine a light?

So, this shopping Black Friday turned out to be sunny celebration Friday: three cheers!

I have to be honest: I secretly celebrated by merrily sniffing my freshly dug leeks and kicking some gloriously coloured leaves into the air. I also reflected on the admirable initiative some friends of mine are embarking on: they are making their own Christmas decorations by using solely natural materials. Evergreen leaves, colourful stems, berries and fir cones are all being used to great effect.

If you ever get tired of dragging last century’s decorations out of the attic, there is very likely to be a course near you at a garden centre or a farm shop. It will initiate you into this very wholesome and satisfying world. If you need a further incentive, they usually serve mulled wine too.

December can be a very mild month but as the shortest day of the year approaches and the calendar fills up, so enthusiasm for anything strenuous in the garden can dip. However, getting the essential tasks done can be time well spent:

  • Make sure outdoor taps are insulated against the frost, either by wrapping them in that pesky bubble wrap we get with our parcels, or by draining them and turning off their water supply

  • Prune acers, birches and vines now as they are less likely to “bleed” sap at this time of year

  • Secure plants that may get blown around by the wind, especially climbers and newly planted trees

  • Deciduous hedges such as beech and hornbeam can be renovated now. If drastic reduction is needed, then this task is best done over several winters

  • Keep raking the leaves off the lawn as grass that does not get oxygen and light will soon become mouldy and start to deteriorate

  • In order to improve drainage, use a fork to spike areas of the lawn that usually get flooded

  • Hellebores that have very small flowers can be greatly improved by cutting off the leaves that obscure the flowers

  • Prune open grown apples: refer to books or the net for more advice on this as the extent of pruning depends on the age and type of plant

  • If you ever wondered why you hadn’t thrown away those old footballs, now is the time to remind you that they can be used in ponds to prevent total coverage by ice. This helps the fish and wildlife by maintaining more even oxygen levels in the water

  • Try to keep off the lawns in frost as footprints will leave their mark

If you are wondering about a Christmas present, then maybe consider one of the many “green” options some of which includes sponsoring sustainable agricultural projects in developing countries. I have to say, I find them utterly inspiring and a very bright light in a rather murky season!