v GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE HERALD v 7th December 2023 • The HERALD • Page 61 ✿ DOWN THE GARDEN PATH ✿ Gardening in December: Winter frost Advice from RHS As we approach the shortest day of the year in December you will need to work to keep you warm outside, such as digging and tree pruning. Check your winter protection and if you have a greenhouse make sure the heater is working. Hopefully there are not too many jobs le to do this year so you will have time for some reside garden planning. Top gardening jobs this month 1. Check your winter protection structures are still securely in place: Cold, wet, windy winter weather can damage trees, shrubs and garden structures such as trellis. Improving shelter, staking plants, mulching, wrapping pots and careful matching of plants to places will help to prevent this kind of damage. 2. Check that greenhouse heaters are working: e pan on the surface, or install a pond heater or water feature to prevent freezing occurring. 4. Prune opengrown apples and pears (but not those trained against walls). 5. Prune acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding. 6. Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops. 7. Trees and shrubs can still be planted and transplanted. Bartley Horticultural Society’s next meeting is on Thursday 21st December for a Christmas Social with evening entertainment. Meetings take place on the third Thursday of the month at Copythorne Parish Hall, Pollards Moor Road, Copythorne SO40 2NW at 7.30pm. New members and visitors are always welcome. Visitors fee applies. For more information you can write to them at: Mavis Cottage, Pollards Moor Road, Copythorne, SO40 2NZ, call: 07789 352505 or visit their website: www.bartleyhs.org.uk Christmas Social 8. Take hardwood cuttings. 9. Keep mice away from stored produce. 10. Reduce watering of houseplants. high cost of fuel and the desire to garden sustainably are concentrating gardeners’ attention on operating greenhouses with the minimum energy usage. 3. Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing: If your pond is stocked with sh and it does freeze over, melt the ice by placing a hot
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=