Top Tips for December 

Christmas draws ever-closer, and the days are getting shorter and shorter, but there's still plenty of time to make the most out of your garden in the last month of the year, as well as get ready for the following seasons.

Here's our list of things to do in the garden this December:

1. Protect your exotic plants. Things like ferns, banana plants and olive trees will need protection from the cold weather, so wrap them up in burlap sacking or fleece - two layers should suffice (any more and the plant will be unable to breathe properly).

2. Finish planting your bulbs. All spring flowering bulbs should be planted before mid-december, to ensure that they are not 'caught-out' by any cold snaps (such as those we had last year).

3. Transplant shrubs. If you find yourself thinking 'I don't like where that plant is', then now is the ideal time to dig up and transplant any mis-placed or unwanted shrubs. However, be sure not to disturb or damage the main root-ball, as this will upset the plant.

4. Tidy up! It might sound like a small task, but once you get going, it's bound to keep you busy for hours. Bring in any watering equipment before the frosts, remove debris from ponds and guttering, tidy up the tool shed, the list goes on and on…

5. Keep an eye on your houseplants. It's easy to forget about them during the colder months, as most are quite docile at this time of year, but they still need attention! Pick off any dead or yellowing leaves, keep an eye on moisture levels (but don't over-water) and use a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris.

Christmas Trees!

For some people they signal the coming of winter festivities, and for others they just pose as a mess, but whatever your view, we have a few tips on picking the best Christmas tree for your home this year.

Real or Fake?

It's a tough decision.

A real tree looks, feels and smells wonderful, adding an authentic touch to your Christmas decorations.

Here's a few things to look out for when purchasing a real Christmas tree:

- Strong green colouring to the needles

- Symmetrical shape throughout

- Branches are still soft and supple

However, you also have to consider how the children and pets will react to it, and whether you can bring yourself to face the inevitable onslaught of needles and general mess that comes with taking the tree down at the end of the festive season.

A fake tree offers the perfect solution to that, and with varying types available, you can make sure your Christmas tree is the envy of the whole street!

 

There's fibre optic trees, trees with added snow (sadly, also fake), abstract metal trees, trees of all shape and sizes, to suit all tastes and budgets. All you have to do it put it up and decorate it!

Where to buy