What gardening should you do in December?
December is the quietest month in the garden, but a few targeted jobs make a real difference to how your garden performs next year. The key tasks are winter pruning, continued bare-root planting, protecting vulnerable plants and infrastructure from frost and storms, and planning ahead for 2027. Most December gardening can be done in 2 to 3 hours across the month. In Cambridge, December brings the coldest temperatures so far (average daily high of 7 degrees Celsius, average low of 2 degrees Celsius) and around 50 millimetres of rainfall. The ground is often workable in early December but can become frozen or waterlogged by mid-month. Get outdoor tasks done in the first two weeks while conditions allow.
Winter pruning: what to cut and what to leave
December is the ideal month to prune deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers while they are fully dormant. Without leaves, you can see the branch structure clearly and make better decisions about which stems to remove. Prune apple and pear trees to maintain an open goblet shape that allows light and air into the centre. Cut back overgrown deciduous hedges hard now for regeneration next spring. Prune wisteria by cutting back summer side shoots to 2 to 3 buds. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches from any deciduous tree or shrub. Do not prune cherries, plums, or other stone fruits in winter as they are vulnerable to silver leaf disease. Leave spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia, flowering currant, and philadelphus until after flowering, or you will lose next year's blooms. If in doubt, the rule is simple: if it flowers before June, prune after flowering. If it flowers after June, prune in winter.
Continue bare-root planting before the ground freezes
The bare-root planting season runs from November to March, and December is an excellent time to plant hedging, roses, fruit trees, and ornamental trees while they are dormant. Bare-root stock is 50% to 70% cheaper than container-grown equivalents and establishes just as well when planted correctly. In Cambridge, the ground is usually workable throughout December, though you may hit frozen spells in the second half of the month. If the ground is frozen when your plants arrive, heel them in temporarily by digging a shallow trench, laying the roots in, and covering with soil until conditions improve. When planting in Cambridge clay, dig wide rather than deep, break up the sides of the planting hole, and add organic matter to improve drainage around the roots. Water well after planting even in winter, as bare-root stock needs moisture to establish new feeder roots.
Protect plants and infrastructure from winter weather
December storms and frost can cause significant damage if you have not already prepared. Check that all tender plants in pots have been moved to shelter or wrapped with fleece and bubble wrap. Insulate outdoor taps and exposed pipes. Check fence panels and posts for any movement or damage, and tighten loose fixings before the next storm. Clear gutters and downpipes of autumn leaf debris to prevent blockages and overflow. If you have a greenhouse, check glass panes for cracks and ensure the door closes securely. Drain and store any remaining garden hoses. For the lawn, continue clearing fallen leaves and avoid walking on frosted grass. ELawnCare offers winter garden health checks from £80 that cover fence assessment, drainage check, lawn condition report, and plant health review with recommendations for spring action.
Plan your 2027 garden now
December is the perfect time to plan what you want from your garden next year. Review what worked and what disappointed in 2026. Order seed catalogues (most are free) and plan your growing list. Book professional services early: ELawnCare opens its 2027 booking calendar in January, and spring slots for scarification, aeration, and lawn renovation fill up by mid-February. If you are considering a garden makeover, get quotes now so work can start as soon as the ground is ready in late February or March. Research plants that solve problems you noticed this year: shade-tolerant options for dark corners, clay-loving species for heavy soil, or low-maintenance ground cover for areas you are tired of weeding. Cambridge homeowners can book a free consultation with ELawnCare to discuss 2027 plans, whether that is a full landscaping project or simply getting on a regular maintenance schedule.