Jobs to do this December

1. Check pots & baskets

   With Christmas approaching, it’s easy to forget your outdoor pots and baskets. To keep them looking their best, try to check them at least once a week. Water them if needed and remove any finished flowers.

2. Clean gutters & drainpipes

   Check house, shed and greenhouse gutters and drainpipes and remove any leaves that might be blocking them.

3. Lag outside taps

   Lag outside taps to stop them from freezing and if possible, also turn off their water supply and drain them. Also empty water from hosepipes and store them out of the cold.

4. Extra light for houseplants

   It’s a tough time for houseplants. Give them as much light as possible, wipe any dust off their leaves and also clean the windows. Flowering plants will need regular watering, all others shouldn’t need watering more than once a fortnight.

5. Prep for runner beans

   For a bumper crop of runner beans next year, dig a trench and fill it with vegetable peelings over winter. Cover it over with soil in spring, ready for planting the beans in May.

6. Christmas hyacinths

   Check pots of forced Christmas hyacinths. If the shoots are more than 2.5cm (1in) high, and nicely plump, bring the pot indoors. Put it in a cool, light spot, keep it well watered and the flowers should be in full flower for Christmas.

7. Greenhouse insulation

   Keep the greenhouse heating bill down. Insulate it with bubble wrap. Take care not to cover all the ventilators as you’ll still need to open some on warm days.

8. Protect evergreens from snow

   If snow falls this month, brush it off evergreen shrubs and conifers or the weight of the snow may break the branches.