What I Do in the Garden in December

The Last Garden Clean-Up Before Winter

I collect cut and fallen branches and leaves and remove them from the garden.

I am especially careful with plant debris from diseased plants. I do not want spring to bring back some of last season's problems along with the new growth.

I clean and organize empty pots and containers. Plastic ones go into storage so they are not unnecessarily exposed to sun and cold and do not deteriorate faster.

Garden tools deserve a little attention too. I clean soil and plant debris from spades, rakes, hoes and pruning shears, then store them dry and ready for the next season.

This is one of those moments when my future spring self will probably be grateful to me.

What I Bring Indoors and What I Leave Outside

Before temperatures remain consistently below freezing, I finish preparing everything for winter.

I move oleanders and the more sensitive balcony plants into an enclosed but unheated space.

My roses in containers overwinter well outside, and so far I have not needed to wrap them.

I also insulate outdoor taps and parts of the irrigation system that could be damaged by freezing.

I cover the compost so it does not become waterlogged from winter rain.

The Birds Stay in the Garden Too

During winter I leave feeders out for the birds.

I am fairly relaxed about the squirrel. We have two walnut trees and hazelnuts in the garden, so I suspect it has prepared for winter considerably better than I have.

I like the garden not to feel completely abandoned during the colder months.

There are no flowers and very little active growth, but life is still there - it is simply quieter.

December Is a Month for Looking Back

When the weather is not suitable for working outside, I go through photos from the previous summer.

For me, this is much more useful than simply trying to remember what happened during the season.

The photos quickly remind me what grew well, where I planted things too densely, and what I produced in quantities that no reasonable person could possibly use.

In fact, the last part applies to almost everything.

I definitely overdid the cucumbers, for example. At one point I had to teach the dog to eat tarator.

That is probably a fairly reliable sign that the quantities had got slightly out of control.

What I Would Change Next Season

Next year I want to grow more vegetables that I can preserve easily.

I would also really like to try some old Bulgarian tomato varieties.

Not simply another hybrid with an attractive photo on the packet, but varieties with history, flavor and seeds that can be saved.

And that brings me to one of my mistakes from the past season - I saved far too few of my own seeds.

Next summer I want to plan this much better.

I do not want to reach the end of the season and suddenly remember that a particular tomato was wonderful, only to realize that all the best fruit has already been eaten.

Winter Is Part of the Garden Too

In December I do not really miss the constant activity of the growing season.

I actually enjoy the pause.

This is the time when I can think about what I would change, what I want to add, and which ideas have absolutely no chance of fitting into the garden, no matter how convincing they look on Pinterest.

I make plans and projects. I collect inspiration.

Then I sit by the fireplace, pour myself a glass of our wine and watch the fire. I cook dinner for the person I love. What more could I ask for? It is winter.

And somewhere in the garden, the next season is already quietly being planned.