December:

Harvest Vegetables for Christmas. Parsnips, leeks, and winter cabbages can be left in the ground until needed for festive meals. If temperatures drop and the soil freezes, cover it with straw for easier harvesting. Pick Brussels sprouts when they reach about an inch in diameter, before they start to open, working from the base of the plant upwards and twisting them off.

Winter prune. December is a good month to winter prune apple and pear trees to control their shape and size, and to increase their productivity. You can also prune blackcurrants, gooseberries, redcurrants and whitecurrants this month.

Plan Next Year's Veg Plot. Use the colder, darker days to plan next year’s vegetable garden. Reflect on what thrived and what didn’t, and consider crop rotation to maintain soil health and improve yields.

Divide Rhubarb. There's still time to lift and divide large rhubarb clumps, replanting the outer sections into nutrient-rich soil with well-rotted manure. Alternatively, choose a mature clump to force for an early spring harvest.

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