The night extended, the temperature slipped back a degree or two, the leaves tumbled and we were in to December. It has been a strange year and the autumn too mild for the seasonal replanting. I was still looking at good summer bedding plants at the end of November and was in no rush to pull them up. So, bulbs and autumn bedding sales have been slow and should you still want to try your luck with some late planting, there are bulbs and pansies everywhere at greatly discounted prices.

In the out-turn vegetable productivity has been down, though some late rain has resulted in some over sized potatoes, but somethings just never got going. It has been amazing to see how the winter vegetables have romped with many gardens boasting Sprouts, Cabbage and even Purple Sprouting already.

Do stay vigilant with the netting of greens, the pigeons are hungry. If the weather offers some good moments, there is as always plenty of cleaning up to do and you may want to consider a bit of well protected rodent control. There have been a lot of rats and mice around. If you fancy a bit of structural planting, there are a few bare root hedging plants as well as Raspberries and they will all cope with late planting.

As we move through the month attention switches to Christmas, so I felt that was worth in mentioning pot plants. They will be everywhere but avoid any that are just stuck on a trolley outside. Poinsettia’s and Cyclamen can be really sulky and are very easy to chill, especially when they are over watered. So indoor Christmas plants need modest regular watering and most prefer to be out of a draught, though don’t need tropical temperatures. Pot bulbs are always good,but use them in the cooler rooms or they will flower and be gone. Of all the Christmas plants, the most underrated is the Solanum (sometimes called the Christmas Cherry). It is great value, pretty tough and in the spring can transfer and thrive in the garden.

And finally, don’t rush to get your Christmas tree in. Before taking it in saw off and inch from the base of your tree and allow it to stand in a bucket of water to rehydrate for a day or so. The market demand is now for the slow needle drop varieties like the Nordman which can last for weeks, but If you buy a traditional Norway Spruce, just know, that with luck it will stand for two or three.

Happy Christmas

Chris Evans
www.dundrynurseries.co.uk
www.thebutterflygarden.org