YOUR GARDENING YEAR
What to do in the garden in December
The key December jobs for your veg patch, fruit, lawns, borders and greenhouse — tick them off or print a sheet to take outside.
One page, ready to take outside
A few timely jobs to help your garden thrive through the season.
Veg Patch
Fruit & Pruning
Lawns & Borders
Greenhouse
Gardening events in December
- Christmas at RHS gardens DecemberFestive light trails and wreath-making at RHS gardens.
- Wassailing preparations December – JanuaryOrchards plan their traditional wassails to bless the trees.
Dates change each year — please check with the organiser before you travel.
December in the garden
A month-by-month guide from The Gardener’s GreenhouseVeg Patch
Harvest parsnips and sprouts after the first frost.
Dig over heavy soil if it is not frozen.
Fruit & Pruning
Continue winter-pruning apples and pears.
Check stored fruit and remove any showing rot.
Lawns & Borders
Clean and sharpen garden tools and shears.
Avoid walking on waterlogged soil to prevent compaction.
Greenhouse
Wash empty pots and seed trays.
Monitor temperature to protect overwintering plants.
Notes:
Tick each box as you go — and take things at your own pace.
Little jobs. Lovely rewards.
Follow local frost forecasts; northern gardens often start spring jobs later. Avoid frozen or waterlogged soil and take regular breaks.
Got a question about December jobs? Ask in the forum.