December is a quieter month on the allotment, but there’s still plenty to do. It’s a good time to harvest winter crops, tidy beds, protect plants from cold weather, check your plot after storms, and prepare for the growing season ahead.
Things to do on your allotment in December
From looking after the soil to checking your tools and planning next year’s crops, a little work in December can make a big difference when spring arrives.
December is a good month for tidying, protecting the soil, and planning ahead, rather than doing lots of planting.
- Clear and tidy beds – remove dead annual plants and diseased material, but leave some healthy stems for overwintering wildlife.
- Spread compost or well-rotted manure over empty beds. You can leave it on the surface for worms and weather to work in.
- Dig only if necessary – there’s usually no need to dig every bed, particularly if your soil is heavy or wet.
- Protect tender crops with fleece, straw or other suitable covering when hard frosts are forecast.
- Check stored crops such as potatoes, onions, squash and root vegetables regularly and remove anything that’s rotting.
- Harvest winter crops including leeks, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, kale and winter cabbages as needed.
- Plant bare-root fruit trees and bushes while they’re dormant, provided the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
- Prune dormant fruit trees and bushes where appropriate, but avoid pruning stone fruit such as plums in winter because of disease risk.
- Check fruit-tree ties and supports and loosen anything that’s becoming tight.
- Clean and sharpen tools and oil wooden handles and metal parts before storing them.
- Clean pots, seed trays and greenhouse glass so everything is ready for spring.
- Check fences, sheds, netting and gates for storm damage and repair them before winter weather gets worse.
- Turn or check your compost heap if conditions allow, and keep it covered from excessive rain.
- Look after wildlife – leave some shelter and seed heads, and provide clean water and suitable food if you feed birds.
- Plan next year’s crops and order seeds early, making a rough rotation plan so you don’t grow the same crop families in the same beds repeatedly.
- Take stock of seeds you already have and check their dates and storage conditions.
One important December rule
Don’t feel you have to work the plot whenever you visit. Avoid walking or digging on very wet soil, as it can compact the ground and damage its structure. A December visit can simply be a quick inspection, harvest and cup-of-tea job!