December
Garden diary
Your checklist for getting the garden in shape for the festive season:
• Step-up deadheading of flowers. This removal of fading blooms means the energy that the plants would have channelled into seed production now goes to forming new blooms
• Pop in fast-growing annuals now for Christmas colour. Speedy bloomers include petunias, poppies and zinnias
• A light trim will sharpen up hedges and topiary
• Give garden furniture, fences, letterbox and all external walls a brush and wash to remove cobwebs and grime
• In the days leading up to Christmas, mow lawns, trim edges, sweep paths, weed rigorously and fluff up bare soil.
If you are going away for the holidays, give the garden a thorough soaking just
