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Jobs for December

What could be better than digging the plot on a mild December day with thoughts of a new season ahead? Not much we say – so get out the fork and get going! But don’t forget that there are plenty of other important jobs to do this month… read on to find out more

 

Fruit in brief

• The pruning of tree (top) fruit such as apples and pears should continue this month weather permitting and providing all the leaves have fallen. Cut out crossing, damaged and diseased shoots. Thin overcrowded branches and cut back over-long shoots to a suitably placed bud.
n If you have not already done so, weed around all types of fruit to prevent competition and help prevent the spread of diseases. Follow this with a generous mulch of well-rotted compost, leafmould or manure.

• Fruit ordered over the past few months should arrive soon as it is lifted from the fields. Plant as soon as possible after it arrives or heel in and water well to prevent the roots from drying out. More on planting in KG next month.

• If possible, consider removing the netting from fruit cages to allow birds access. They will enjoy feeding on any overwintering insects and save you the trouble of trying to eradicate them next year. If you keep chickens – let them loose inside the cage, or place arks at the base of fruit trees so they can forage for pests such as codling moth and pear midge.

Force winter crops

Crops such as seakale and chicory can be forced now for some fresh shoots when there is little else available.
Seakale is simply covered with a plastic bucket or large pot with the drainage holes covered over with all-weather tape or stones to exclude all light. Failing that a rhubarb forcer does the job very well. As spring arrives check the plants regularly and once the blanched white shoots reach a height of about 25cm (10in), they can be cut and steamed and served with a cheese sauce.

Witloof chicory can also be forced now and the method is rather different.
The chicory or chicons which were sown back in June/July are lifted from the ground and those which are 2.5cm (1in) or more at the base potted into large pots filled with fresh potting compost. The tops are cut back to leave a 1cm (1¼2in) stump and the pots placed in a frost-free place such as a well insulated shed or garage or under the staging of a frost-free greenhouse.

Cover as above for seakale using a pot the same size as the one the plants were potted into or a little smaller and cover the drainage holes to prevent any light from reaching the plants.
Within four weeks, if stored at around 10C (50F), you should have tender chicons to cut and if cared for the plants can be harvested from time to time during winter and into the spring. In the spring the pot can be left off and the light will encourage one more crop of tasty leaves.

 

For lots more advice, see this month's issue, available to buy online!

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