With preparations for Christmas Day looming, then shopping for presents and food and decorating the house in a festive way may take precedence over anything else this month but there are still chores which need to be carried out in the garden. For some people, getting out in the fresh air may be a pleasant distraction from writing Christmas cards and making a batch of mince pies for the freezer.
So, what needs to be done in the garden at this time of year?
Lawns. If your lawn is covered with leaves, then rake these up and place in your council garden waste bin. You can put some in your own compost bin but too many will make your home-made compost slimy. Aerate your lawn with a garden fork if it suffers from poor drainage.
During mild spells, you can still plant roses and shrubs.
Examine dahlia tubers for signs of rotting and withering.
Make sure biennials, which are already established in your garden, are not covered in wet, dead leaves.
If you have bulbs growing in pots, make sure they do not dry out. Once shoots appear and grow an inch or two, remove them to a greenhouse or a sheltered spot in the garden.
Protect ponds from freezing over by placing matting over the surface. Floating rubber balls on the surface can lessen ice pressure.
Continue winter pruning of fruit trees. You can still plant new trees during mild spells.