A simple guide to gardening jobs throughout the year

Equipment For Gardening Jobs By Urban Undergrowth.

Whether your Garden of Eden is a fruit and vegetable garden, a flower garden or a secret garden there’s always a job to be done. This comprehensive, all year round garden guide is designed to keep you several steps ahead of Mother Nature – whatever month or season it may be.

From weekly weeding to building raised garden beds and even servicing garden tools, we’ll tell you when to do certain jobs, and offer our top gardening tips – so you can create an even better home and garden. To begin, search by season:

Gardening jobs for spring

Gardening jobs for summer

Gardening jobs for autumn

Gardening jobs for winter

Or month:

Download your Free Garden Planner to organise your garden with ease. It also includes a square foot planting guide.

What to do in the garden in January

Prepare for spring: Clean your pots, trays, tools, greenhouse and water butt
Plan ahead: Think about what you’d like to grow this year. Create a list and order anything you don’t have
Dig dry, empty ground: Work in well-rotted manure or compost
Elevate patio pots: This will reduce waterlogging
Prune apple and pear trees: This is best done while they’re dormant
Stored bulbs, corms and tubers: Check regularly for rot or deterioration
Lawn: Avoid walking on grass while covered by snow or frost to prevent damage

Container gardens: Move into a cold greenhouse, or wrap in bubble wrap, hessian or horticultural fleece
Vulnerable plants: Wrap with horticultural fleece to protect from cold weather
Ties and stakes: Check for loosening
Rhubarb: Place a bucket or forcing jar over crowns to encourage an early harvest
Harvest: Parsnips and leeks
Winter brassicas: Remove yellowing leaves
Cut winter-flowering perennials: Down to the ground
Pond pump: If it hasn’t already been removed, do so to avoid winter damage

Continue to feed wildlife: Leave food and water out for birds
House plants: Water winter-flowering houseplants and position in a cool place
Remove leaves: They can become slippery, clog gutters and protect slugs and snails over winter
Gardening jobs like servicing large pieces of equipment: Like lawnmowers
Chit seed potatoes: Store them in a light, cool, frost-free place
White currents and red currents: Remove old stems and prune side shoots to one bud

What to do in the garden in February

Divide perennials: If the weather is mild, split large shrubs or perennials
Dig dry, empty ground: Add well-rotted manure or compost
Early sowings: Cover the ground with a layer of polythene or fleece to warm the earth
Organise seeds: Do this by sowing date to make your life easier
Remove weeds: Dig them up, including the roots
Infestations: Keep an eye out for pests like whitefly on cuttings or plants
Chrysanthemum cuttings: Take these in February
Trim hedges: Before birds begin nesting
Prune climbing vines like ivy or clematis: Clear windows, roofs and gutters
Shred woody prunings: Add them to your compost bin
Deadhead winter/spring bedding plants: This will prolong flowers
Brassicas: Remove yellowing leaves

Raised beds: Build new beds now before the growing season begins
Remove snow from trees: Knock it out with a broom to avoid snapping branches
Tree ties: Check after high winds to ensure they are in good condition and not damaging bark
Continue to feed wildlife: Leave food and water out for birds
Install a water butt: In readiness for summer waterings
Acid soils: Add lime
Learn your soil type: This will help you to prepare your soil and choose the perfect plants. Check out our guide to soil types
Begonia tubers: Plant in compost, concave side up, towards the end of the month
Floating pond heaters: Continue using to prevent ice forming over the entire pond
Rhubarb: If you haven’t already, place a bucket or forcing jar over crowns to encourage an early harvest

Gardening jobs to help you prepare for spring: If you haven’t already done so, clean your pots, tools and greenhouse
Slugs: Start watching out for slugs and snails. Read our guide to safely deterring slugs and snails
Chit seed potatoes: If you haven’t already, store them in a light, cool, frost-free place
Mulch perennial vegetables: Like artichokes or asparagus
Early sowing: Consider early vegetable varieties and grow under a cloche, in a cold frame, greenhouse or propagator – providing the soil is suitable, e.g. beetroot, cabbage, lettuce, or spinach
Asparagus: If you’ve ordered new crowns, prepare the area
Rhubarb: Place a bucket or forcing jar over crowns to encourage an early harvest
Fruit trees: Any unfinished pruning should be finished before new growth begins

Spring gardening jobs

What to do in the garden in March

Fertilise beds: Dig a two-inch layer of compost or rotted manure into soil. Supplement with a general-purpose fertiliser if you wish
Green manure: Dig into the surface of beds while stems are soft
Gardening jobs to support plants: Add supports for plants to grow through
Move deciduous trees or shrubs: While the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged
Early sowing: Consider early vegetable varieties and grow under a cloche, in a cold frame, greenhouse or a propagator – providing the soil is suitable, e.g. beetroot, cabbage, lettuce, or spinach.
Year-round herbs: Sow parsley seeds in pots for a regular supply, and split chives into clumps
Tomatoes: Sow seeds in a heated propagator or on a warm windowsill
Chit seed potatoes: If you haven’t already, store them in a light, cool, frost-free place
Rhubarb: If you haven’t already, place a bucket or forcing jar over crowns to encourage an early harvest
Re-edge lawn: Using a sharp half-moon edger

Feed trees, shrubs and hedges: Add a slow-release fertiliser to the surface of soil
Feed and prune roses: Add well rotted manure around the base, remove dead or diseased stems and trim
Prune fuchsias: To two buds on each shoot
Prune winter-flowering jasmine: Cut back last year’s growth to 5cm from the old wood
Deadhead hydrangeas: Cut to one third of last year’s growth, before new growth appears
Divide snowdrop bulbs: Lift with a spade while they’re still in leaf
Remove weeds: Dig them up, including the roots
Garden soil preparation: Cover with sheets of plastic in readiness for planting
Sow summer flowers: Begin plants like cosmos, petunias and marigolds indoors or in a greenhouse
Remove pond heaters: Clean and put away until next winter
Remove plant debris: Scoop out leaves with a net

Dahlia tubers: Plant in trays of compost
Divide perennials: If the weather is mild, split large shrubs or perennials
Trim winter-flowering heather: To stop plants becoming leggy
Slug patrol: Keep an eye on tender, new plants or seedlings. Check out our slug and snail repellent plant pots to repel pests naturally
Deadhead daffodils: After flowering and let foliage die back naturally
Mow your lawn: Pick a dry day and set your blades high to remove the tips
Prepare flower beds: In readiness for March
Houseplants: Repot into larger containers if necessary
Protect fruit tree blooms: During frosty nights
Clean walkways: Including paths, paving, patios and steps with a pressure washer
Continue to feed wildlife: Leave food and water out for birds. If peanuts are put out, place them in mesh feeders to stop young birds from choking on large pieces
Remove moss from lawns: Where moss is a problem

What to do in the garden in April

Sow hardy annuals: Either indoors or outdoors, following the instructions on the packet
Sow half-hardy annuals: On a warm windowsill or in the greenhouse
Fertilise beds: Dig a two-inch layer of compost or rotted manure into soil. Supplement with a general-purpose fertiliser if you wish
Hanging baskets: Prepare garden boxes and hanging baskets in the greenhouse while plants establish
Dahlia tubers: In mild areas, they can be planted outside towards the end of the month
Gladioli corms: Stagger the planting to prolong the flowering period
Continue to feed wildlife: Leave food and water out for birds. If peanuts are put out, place in mesh feeders to stop young birds from choking on large pieces
Newly planted trees: Remember to water them in dry weather

Strawberry plants: Cover with a cloche to encourage early flowers
Sow vegetables directly: Peas, carrots, beetroot, salad and more
Sow vegetables in a greenhouse or propagator: Courgettes, pumpkins and tomatoes
Beware of frost: Wrap fleece around potato foliage
Onion sets: Plant when the soil is dry
Remove dead moss from lawn: Use a rake or scarifier
Lawn fertiliser: Apply now
Sow lawn seed: Repair bare patches
Fountain pumps: Check wiring and clean before returning to your pond
Sow herbs: Thyme, parsley, dill and fennel
Harvest asparagus: Under 20cm tall
Check compost bins: See if garden waste is ready to use
Enhance soil drainage: Read our blog on soil types to enhance your earth

Slug patrol: Keep an eye on tender, new plants or seedlings. Read our guide to organic slug control or check out our Slug and Snail Repellent Plant Pots
Fruit tree blooms: Apple, pear, plumb and cherry trees will start flowering
Frost: If frost returns, protect new flowers with fleece or bubble wrap
Check tree ties: Make sure they are secure
Remove weeds: Dig them up, including roots
Gardening jobs to prepare soil: Cover with sheets of plastic in preparation for planting
Support pea plants: Use cane sticks
Thin carrot seedlings: This will give you good-sized carrots
Top dress: Raised beds and containers should be prepared with a fresh layer of compost
Clean walkways: If you haven’t already, clean paths, paving, patios and steps with a pressure washer

What to do in the garden in May

Summer bedding: Start planting towards the end of May
Care for spring bulbs: Allow them to die back naturally, then pour liquid fertiliser around
Weed and feed your lawn: Use a high-nitrogen fertiliser
Lower lawn mower blades: Reinstate your preferred summer height – but avoid mowing new grass seed until it reaches 3 inches
Begin harvesting forced rhubarb: Grip the stem firmly and pull away from the crown
Strawberry plants: Lay straw between plants to discourage mould
Potatoes: Draw earth up around potato plants when they reach 20cm high
Sweetcorn, courgette and marrow: Sow in the greenhouse
Overcrowded plants: Lift, divide and trim stray roots

Dahlia tubers and gladioli corms: Plant directly into the ground providing soil is not too wet
Summer bedding plants: Plant outside providing there is no risk of frost
Support tall plants: In preparation for the growing season
Check moisture: Regularly check plants to ensure they have sufficient water
Liquid feed: Water needy or potted plants weekly
Repot: Any plant displaying pot-bound symptoms
Veg to sow outside or under cloches: Sprouts, peas, lettuce, kale, broccoli, cauliflower swede, spinach, radish
Pansies: Deadhead to continue blooms
Pest patrol: Regularly check for pests like greenfly, slugs and snails. For extra protection, check out our Slug and Snail Repellent Plant Pots

New ponds: Allow to settle for 6+ weeks before adding fish
Feed pond fish: When the water reaches 10ºC (50ºF)
Watch for frost: Protect emerging crops with fleece, hessian or bubble wrap, and protect cold frames with polythene or sacking
Hoe borders weekly: To stop weed seeds growing
Holidays: If you’re planning a trip, arrange for a friend or neighbour to water plants on warm days
Gardening jobs to enhance container gardens: Add a slow release fertiliser and water storing crystals for ease
Pond plants: Waterlilies, etc, can be planted in new aquatic baskets with compost – no not use regular gardening compost
Dry spells: Water fruiting plants
Greenhouse vents: Open on warm days

Summer gardening jobs

What to do in the garden in June

Ground cover plants: Beat the summer drought and preserve moisture
Water daily: If the soil is dry, particularly around newly planted trees and shrubs
Half-hardy bedding plants: Harden off remaining plants
Greenhouse cooling: Open vents and doors on warm days to prevent overheating. Water plants if they are dry
Prune stone fruit trees: Like plum or cherry
Net fruit trees: To protect fruit from birds and squirrels
Lilies: If they’re in pots or borders may require support
Plant vegetables outside: Sprouts, celery, cabbage, cucumbers, courgettes, beans and marrows
Continue thinning: Beetroots, lettuce, carrots
Tap tomatoes: To encourage pollination
Consider hand pollination: Courgettes, marrows or pumpkins
Carefully dig potatoes: Try not to pierce or damage tubers
Pest patrol: Regularly check for pests like greenfly, slugs and snails. For extra protection, check out our Slug and Snail Repellent Plant Pots
Powdery mildew: Watch out for this; treat with a fungicide or remove affected areas

Display summer hanging baskets: The risk of frost should have passed for young summer bedding plants
Containers and hanging baskets: Tip: when filling with compost, leave a small gap to help water soak in and not run off the edges
Liquid feed: Water weekly to needy or potted plants. And give cucumbers and aubergines a weekly high-potash liquid tomato feed
Pinch young plants: Many young plants benefit from being pinched, read your seed instructions for further information
Weeding: Keep on top of it, don’t make your plants compete for precious water, light or nutrients
Sow spring flower seeds: Like pansies or primroses in the greenhouse
Organic fertiliser: Apply a general fertiliser to summer bedding plants
Hardy annuals: Thin directly into their flowering positions
Roses: Sprinkle rose fertiliser around the roots of plants
Water butts: Use rainwater where possible to water your garden, including hanging baskets and containers
Blanket weed: Remove from your pond

Compost bin: Turn every month to aerate
Bird baths: Regularly change the water, particularly in hot weather
Net soft fruit bushes: Like currents, blueberries or strawberries to protect from birds or squirrels
Fruit plants in containers: Water them with a high potash liquid feed
Strawberries: Peg down runner for next years plants
Blueberries: Water with rain water to retail soil acidity
Spring bulbs: Allow foliage to die back naturally
Water plants regularly: Don’t let them wilt
Prepare for the heat: Use shade netting around plants and shade paint in the greenhouse
Gardening jobs for ponds: Don’t allow algae or blanket weed to build up. Drag to one side of the pond with a stick and allow caught critters to go back in the pond. Then put on the compost heap
Clip evergreen hedges: Yew, boxor privet while they’re in growth
Plant ‘wells’: Create small wells around plants to help water soak deeply

For more help planning or preparing your garden, download our Free Garden Planner

What to do in the garden in July

Install supports: For tall plants and climbers
Plan regular watering times: Early morning to discourage slugs and snails or in the evening to reduce evaporation. Remember to water the base of your plants – not the leaves. Collect rainwater in water butts where possible
Double watering: Hanging baskets, containers and grow bags can dry out quickly in the heat and may require a double watering. Continue to feed with a liquid fertiliser every 2-4 weeks
Deadhead bedding and perennials: To encourage more blooms
Sow biennials: Like foxgloves, forget-me-nots and sweet william
Tidy fallen leaves: To prevent the spread of fungal diseases
Pinch chrysanthemums: To encourage more blooms
Year-round gardens: Plan winter-flowering fruits and vegetables to enjoy your garden year-round
Mow your lawn weekly: If not two times per week, unless there is a dry spell
Harvest and root herbs: For a continual supply
Compost bin: Turn every month to aerate

Pest patrol: Regularly check for pests like greenfly, slugs and snails. For extra protection, check out our Slug and Snail Repellent Plant Pots
Garden preservation: Paint garden fences, sheds or furniture on dry days
Harvest soft fruits: Red currents, black currents, white currents, cherries, strawberries and raspberries
Gooseberries: Trim new bush growth
Support new canes: Of blackberries and loganberries
Container apples: Prune by trimming side shoots to five buds
Net fruit bushes: To protect from birds and squirrels – check daily to ensure none get trapped
Bird baths: Regularly change the water, particularly in hot weather
Clean pond pumps and filters: To ensure clean water
Pond algae: Don’t allow algae or blanket weed to build up. Drag any to one side of the pond with a stick, and allow caught critters to go back in the pond. Then place on the compost heap
Pond water: Keep an eye on the water level – top up if necessary

Treat moss and weeds in your lawn: Don’t apply these clippings to your compost heap as the chemicals could harm plants
Powdery mildew: Treat with a fungicide or remove affected areas
Encourage aphid eaters: Think ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings
Damp down the greenhouse: On hot days, increase the humidity to deter red spider mites
Gardening jobs for greenhouse ventilation: Open doors and vents. Consider using blinds or shade paint
Onions: Give plenty of water
Tomatoes: Remove side shoots, while watering and feeding regularly with a high potash fertiliser
Harvest second early potatoes: Examine one plant, if the tubers are big enough then harvest; if they’re not water well and leave a bit longer
Harvest and sow crops: Like beetroot, lettuce, spinach and carrot
Sweet corn: Plant out in blocks 45cm (18″) apart each way

What to do in the garden in August

Ponds and bird baths: Top up regularly
Water daily: Particularly fruit and vegetable plants, plus container plants and hanging baskets
Prune summer-flowering shrubs: When blooms have finished
Aubergines: Pinch the growing tip once they have 5 or 6 fruits
Squash: Allow 3 to 4 fruits per plant and leave to establish before pinching the growing tip
Harvest spring-sown carrots and beetroot: Or, leave in the ground to keep growing
Harvest potatoes: Second Early potatoes will be ready. Main crop will be ready once the leaves yellow and die back. Consider planting Late Season potatoes for another crop in October
Onions, shallows, garlic: Lift, dry then store in onion bags to discourage mould
Diseases: Tidy up fallen leaves. Watch out for tomato and potato blight – remove and destroy affected plants
Cabbage butterfly eggs: Check brassica leaves for eggs and caterpillars
Runner beans: Pinch the climbing shoots before they reach the top of supports
Spring bulbs: Consider next years spring bulbs
Divide chives: Do this to established clumps

Weed regularly: Remove roots as they compete with plants for water, light and nutrients
Pest patrol: Regularly check for pests like greenfly, slugs and snails. For extra protection, check out our Slug and Snail Repellent Plant Pots
Mow your lawn weekly: Or more if necessary. If the weather is hot, set your mower’s blades higher
Sweet corn: Water regularly and feed with tomato food. It’s ready to harvest when you can pop a kernel with your thumbnail, and the juices are milky
High potash fertiliser: Feed sweet corn, tomatoes, aubergines and cucumbers regularly
Tomatoes: Continue to remove side shoots, then pinch out the top of plants, leaving 6 trusses of fruit
Parsley: Thin plants to encourage a decent root system
Cucumbers: Harvest regularly, old fruit left on plants affects future flowers
Roses: Deadhead regularly, try to propagate using stems
Lawn length: Heighten your mower blades as it begins to grow slower
Dry lawn: Don’t worry, the autumn rain will help restore greenery
New lawn: If you plan to install a new lawn, begin preparing your area
Lawn edging: Recut lawn edges

Holidays: Ask a friend or neighbour to water your garden, greenhouse or indoor plants while you’re away
Greenhouse shade: Open doors, vents and windows. Apply netting or shade paint to the outside of your greenhouse to prevent scorching. On hot days, damp down the floor to increase humidity
Gardening jobs for water butts: Clean to remove trapped dirt or debris
Clean your pond: Remove dead flowers or leaves with a net, thin overgrown plants and clean pond filter
Feed fish: Do this regularly, try not to overfeed
Pond water level: Keep it topped up
Wild flowers: Consider a wildflower section in your garden, sow seeds for next year
Runner beans: Pick regularly to prevent stringy pods
Courgette: Harvest before they grow too large
Herb cuttings: Take them now, and place in moist, well-drained potting compost
Collect seeds: Do this on sunny days
Harvest herbs: Dry or freeze excess herbs to use later
Garden preparation: Sketch your garden; this will aid next year’s planning. Download our free garden planner to help

Autumn gardening jobs

What to do in the garden in September

Net your pond: Clear pond weed and remove fallen leaves with a net
Water daily: Particularly fruit and vegetable plants, plus container plants and hanging baskets
Pest patrol: Regularly check for pests like greenfly, slugs and snails. For extra protection, check out our Slug and Snail Repellent Plant Pots
Clean cold frames and greenhouses: Before the autumn growing season
Plant spring-flowering bulbs: Daffodils, hyacinths and crocus
Remove summer bedding plants: Replace with spring bedding plants
Sow hardy annuals outside: Like larkspur, poppy, nigella, calendula and godetia
Pot tender plants: Protect them from cold weather to display outside next year
Sketch your garden: If you haven’t already done this, do so to help plan your garden next year. You can also download our free garden planner to help
Clear fallen leaves: Use a leaf rake on your lawn then add to your compost heap

Strawberry plants: Remove used straw then pot up runners for more plants
Harvest plums: De-stone and freeze if you have too many
Pick blackberries: Pick straight away or freeze
Enhance clay soil: Use horticultural sand or organic matter before the ground gets waterlogged
Green manure: Sow now on uncultivated land to retain nutrients and suppress weeds
Burn diseased matter: Don’t compost diseased plant matter as the spores could harm next year’s plants
Continue weeding: Remove as much root system as possible
Water butts: Install to collect rainwater
Grass: Now is the time to sow a new lawn, repair and aerate your current lawn, and fertilise
Mow your lawn: Reduce how frequently it gets cut
Onion sets: Plant over-wintering varieties
Maincrop potatoes: Lift, dry then store in a cool, dark, frost-free place

Sweet peas: Sow in an unheated greenhouse for early blooms in March/April
Feed, water and deadhead: Annuals, perennials, container pots and hanging baskets
Prune late-flowering plants: Like cistus, or rambling or climbing roses after flowering
Gardening jobs for dahlias: Tie stems to supportive canes to protect during wind
Apple trees: Pick ripe fruit when they are sweet enough to eat
Remove rotting fruit: To prevent spreading diseases
Net soft fruits: To protect from birds and squirrels – but check daily for trapped animals
Divide perennials: To keep plants healthy
Spring cabbages: Transplant to their final locations
Winter herbs: Pot up fresh herbs like basil, mint, parsley and marjoram and grow on your kitchen windowsill
Pick crops regularly: Like beans and courgettes. Don’t allow to grow too large
Pond pumps and filters: Check and clean regularly

What to do in the garden in October

Clean your greenhouse: If it’s empty, clean and disinfect to prevent pests and diseases. And remove summer shading
Protect half-hardy plants and tender perennials: Wrap with horticultural fleece, hessian or bubble wrap, or if they are in pots, place inside the greenhouse
Winter hanging baskets and containers: Plant up now, with primroses, pansies and spring flowering bulbs
Indoor plants: Check any plants you plant to bring inside for pests like aphids
Greenhouse heater: If frost occurs, set up a greenhouse heater
Root crops: Lift and store potatoes, beetroots and carrots
Asparagus: Cut to 1cm above ground level
Relocate: Move any dormant plants you wish to move
Raise pots: Use bricks or pot feet throughout winter to prevent waterlogging
Dahlia tubers: Lift and store once the foliage has turned black from frost. Cut stem to 10cm above the tuber and allow to dry before storing

Spent compost: Reuse compost from plant pots as mulch around the garden
Water butts: If you haven’t already, clean debris from your water butt
Garden shed: Paint or oil sheds and fences before the cold weather begins
Cold frame: If necessary, build a cold frame to protect tender plants from freezing weather
Onions and garlic: Check stored bulbs in onion bags, remove rotten bulbs
Potatoes: Check stored potatoes in hessian sacks, remove rotten tubers
Gardening jobs for evergreen hedges: Trim before the bad weather arrives
Reuse grow bags: Grow late salad leaves by cutting away the top
Gladioli bulbs: Lift and dry, then store until spring
Prepare ground for soft fruit: Dig compost or well rotten manure into the ground
Create supports: For cane fruits like raspberries
Blackberries: Once the fruit has been harvested, cut old stems to the ground level and tie in new canes

Sweep up fallen leaves: Use them to make helpful leaf mould, instead of providing a home to slugs and snails
Divide perennials: To keep your plants healthy
Bird baths and bird feeders: Begin leaving food and water out for local birds
Fertilise lawn: Use an autumn feed on established lawns
Mow lawn: Make your final mowing this month
Sow sweet pea seeds: Sow in an unheated greenhouse to plant outside in spring
Indoor hyacinths: Plant now for floral Christmas displays
Beans and peas: Finish harvesting, then cut to ground level
Squashes and pumpkins: Harvest before the first frost to prevent turning mushy
Harvest cabbages: Cut off the cabbage to encourage more leaf growth
Tomato or pepper plants: Hang stems upside down, inside to help ripen green fruit
Asparagus: Cut back foliage to 5cm

What to do in the garden in November

Insulate outdoor containers: Prepare for frosty weather by wrapping plant pots with horticultural fleece, bubble wrap or hessian, held in place with twine
Raise pots: Use bricks or pot feet to prevent waterlogging
Feed birds: Keep bird feeders and baths topped up
Prune roses: To one third of their height to protect from windrock
Globe artichoke: Protect crowns by wrapping straw around the base
Potted herbs: Bring indoors to grow on your windowsill over winter
Collect fallen leaves: Use them to make leaf mould – consider shredding them to help them break down quicker. Instead of providing a home to slugs and snails
Apples: Pick ripe fruit to eat or store
Spring bulbs: If you haven’t already, plant bulbs at the correct depth. If the final planting space is not yet prepared, plant in pots and transplant later
Geranium seeds: Consider sowing now, but germinate at a minimum temperature of 15ºC
Trim evergreen hedges: Before the cold weather arrives
Photograph herbaceous plants: To prevent damaging roots during a winter dig
Chives: Split large clumps

Check over-wintered plants: Ensure they’re healthy and disease-free, you can also removed dead leaves and flowers
Prepare pots: Disinfect pots and trays in readiness for next year
Used compost: Repurpose used compost from plant pots as mulch around the garden
Prepare a bonfire: Collect sticks, twigs and garden waste from around the garden and cover with plastic to keep dry. Before lighting, always check for hedgehogs
Net pond: If you haven’t already, net your pond to prevent leaves from falling in. Deposit by the side of your pond for a day, to allow critters to escape back into the water
Houseplants: Begin to water plants less frequently as temperatures drop
Clean water butt: And allow the rainfall to refill it
Paint: If you haven’t already, preserve and protect sheds and fences during the last of the good weather
Dahlias and canna lilies: Lift once the top foliage has been frosted
Chrysanthemums: If stored in pots, keep moist and deadhead regularly
Cyclamen: Remove yellowing leaves and faded flowers
Cacti: Sow now

Rose leaves: Collect and burn any rose leaves that have suffered from rust or blackspot to reduce infection in next year’s rose garden bed
Lift corms and tubers: From begonias, dahlias and gladiolus. Leave to dry, remove dead leaves then store in a cool, dry place
Plant soft fruit: Do this in ground prepared with rotted manure or compost
Gardening jobs for your lawn: If you haven’t already done so, use a lawn aerator or a garden fork. Brush grit into the gaps to improve drainage
Cut your lawn: Weather-permitting, set your mower’s blades high and perform your final cut
Edge your lawn: To create a neat and tidy appearance
Frosty lawn: Stay off the grass if it is covered with frost or snow
Wash your greenhouse: If you haven’t already done so, clean grime or algae from the outside of your greenhouse with a hosepipe. Use a hosepipe and a brush
Greenhouse: Close the vents on your greenhouse, and wrap the inside of your frame with bubble wrap to conserve heat in preparation for winter
Winter-flowering plants: Continue to water throughout winter

Winter gardening jobs

What to do in the garden in December

Gardening jobs for beds and borders: Dig with a garden fork in preparation for next year
Shelter potted plants: Group them in a place protected from harsh winter winds
Winter prune: Fruit trees, wisteria, Japanese maples, roses
Feed and water birds: Keep bird baths and feeders clean, and topped up daily. Buy or make fatballs
Store and service tools: Wash all tools, check they’re in good condition, then service and sharpen mower
Clean pots and trays: In preparation for next year’s spring planting
Clear leaves: Sweep paths, patios and driveways to remove algae and leaves. This will prevent slipping and remove shelters for slugs and snails. Remove leaves from gutters to prevent blockages, and lawns to avoid dead patches
Watering: Water outdoor plants sparingly to eliminate waterlogging
Lift veg: If the ground is prone to freezing, lift your last parsnips and leeks and heel them into a convenient trench. They will store for several months
Ponds: Cover with netting to stop leaves entering. And remove pump to prevent ice damage
Plan for next year: Decide what vegetables you wish to grow, and plan your crop rotation for spring
Old crops: Clear the remains and add to your compost heap
Quality street wrappers: Add the colourful, compostable wrappers to your compost heap

Plant soft fruit: Like raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries and currents while they’re dormant
Established black currents: Prune to let young wood flourish and fruit
Currents: For red currents and white currents, prune all but the top four buds on each branch. For black currents, leave all buds
Rhubarb: Lift, split and cover all roots with compost
Greenhouse heaters and propagators: Check they’re working properly
Pests: Greenfly, whitefly and red spider mites may overwinter on plants, so watch out for infestations
Winter brassicas: Remove yellowing leaves and cover with netting. Remember to check the netting daily
Winter salads: Keep horticultural fleece or bubble wrap to hand to protect salads on cold nights
Clay soil: Prepare clay soil for vegetable garden by covering with plastic sheeting to allow for winter digging
Lawn: Avoid walking on grass while covered in snow or frost
Aerate lawns: Spike with an aerator or garden fork, then scatter grit to improve drainage
Shed safety: Tidy your shed on a clear day, taking care to check the security
Large onions: Sow seeds now to transplant in spring
Sow seeds: Of cyclamen, geranium and coleus
Check plants weekly: Water if the compost is dry

Hydrangeas: Leave the faded flower heads intact until spring for frost protection
Roses: If any plants have suffered from blackspot or rust, collect and dispose of the leaves. If you haven’t already cut back large plants to prevent wind rock
Dahlia tubers: Lift, dry and store once leaves have blacked from frost
Supports and ties: Check climbers and young trees to make sure they’re secure
Hardwood cuttings: Take from suitable shrubs and trees
Alpine plants: Scatter grit thinly
Treat and repair wood: Like pergolas, fence posts, trellises that are rotten at the base and could cause damage if they collapsed
Spread compost: Prepare vegetable garden soil for spring planting by working an inch of compost over the surface of cleared soil with a garden fork
Turn your compost heap: This will help it to decompose quicker
Cover compost bin: Use plastic sheeting or carpet to prevent it getting too wet
Build a log pile: For wildlife, including newts and toads
Gardening jobs for empty vegetable gardens: Prepare soil by digging well rotted compost into the first few inches, to prepare your vegetable garden for spring
Dig borders: Pile on manure

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a fairy garden?

A fairy garden is a fun, miniature addition to any garden. Start by selecting your base – be that a teacup or a tree stump. Plan your surface – think fairy cottages, seating areas or ladders. Consider a range of miniature plants like bonsai, moss, succulents or even pinecones. Then put it all together.

How to plan a rose garden

Consider where in your garden you would like them to feature – in a bed, over an arch, as a showstopper. Pick your favourite rose colours. And prepare your ground; roses like well-drained soil, plenty of rotted manure and sunny positions.

What is an English garden?

An English garden is a style of landscape garden from the eighteenth century. It is based on an idealised view of nature and often includes sweeping lawns, lakes, trees and often architecture.

Garden hose guide:

Consider length, diameter, strength, material and flexibility. This will be different for each person, depending on the size of your garden, the type of blooms and the purpose of your hosepipe. Click here to learn more.

Rebecca Taylor, founder of Urban Undergrowth.

Rebecca is the face behind Urban Undergrowth. She became addicted to gardening before it became popular and started writing this blog as a way to share her learnings. After all, sharing is caring. When she’s not digging potatoes, carrying caterpillars or sprinkling cinnamon, she’s a copywriter, painter, vegan chef and Muay Thai fighter.

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