It’s time to get those winter jobs done according to a gardening expert (Image: Getty)
With winter here and temperatures already upon us, a expert provided a list of jobs which must be carried out during December.
Michael, who is known as the Mediterranean Gardener on social media, regularly shares his horticultural tips and tutorials online. In a new video, he detailed all the tasks to carry out in the immediate future.
“If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to mow the lawn for the last time this year,” Michael began in his clip. “Your grass pretty much stops growing when the temperature consistently drops below 5°C.”
But once you’ve completed the task, he advised not to put your tools – including the lawnmower – away dirty in order to avoid them rusting over winter. Now is also the time to carry out preparation work on your hosepipe to avoid it splitting or cracking in sub-zero temperatures.
Tender plants also need added care and attention if they’re to survive the cold, meanwhile, as Micahel noted by applying a fleece in their bedding. “Use a horticultural fleece or straw if we get a cold snap,” he recommended.
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Indoors, the expert continued: “If your paperwhites are getting too tall, stunt their growth with one part to seven parts water.” And when it comes to the traditionally festive poinsettia plant you can prevent it from dying by keeping it out of the cold and in a “bright, draft-free position”.
Returning to the garden, Michael explained now is your last chance to plant any bulbs before the ground becomes too hard, and when it comes to protecting your cuttings from the cold and frost, you should place them in a cold frame or greenhouse.
Closing his advice, he recommended bringing out your forced hyacinths now if you would like them to flower at Christmas. “The neighbours would laugh at me if I mowed my lawn in December,” one of Michael’s followers joked. “It’s literally snowing or frosty so naw. October is late enough.” While a second added: “Good reminder, we don’t want a fountain again this year.”
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Michael also took the time to explain why pot-grown Christmas trees are the “perfect choice” when it comes to decorating the home this festive season. He penned the list: 1. They’ll survive after Christmas. Unlike potted Christmas trees, pot grown trees have been grown in a pot and are much healthier and stronger trees with their roots in tact. 2. They’re cost effective and sustainable because you can use them year after year, either keeping them in the pot or planting them up outside.
3. They look great anywhere. They will live quite happily outdoors, but they can also be brought indoors as a kitchen or bedroom tree and then acclimatised to live outdoors again after Christmas.