Gardeners' notes - jobs to do in December

Harvest sprouts
If you’re growing your own Brussels sprouts for Christmas, they should be ready to pick this month.  They taste sweeter after a frost, so bear the weather forecast in mind when planning your harvest.  Simply twist the sprouts off the stem, starting at the bottom and working your way upwards.  Only take as many as you need, as they are best eaten straight after picking, although they can stay fresh for a few days in the fridge.

Alternatively, you can cut a whole stem and keep it in water or hang it in a cool place to pick the sprouts as needed.  For those stems left standing, it’s a good idea to stake them for support before they become top-heavy.

Plant fruit in containers
Gardening in a smaller space doesn’t mean you can’t grow fruit.  If you’ve got a small plot, patio or balcony, it’s perfectly possible to get a great crop from container-grown plants.  Not only will these provide a tasty harvest, but many will also give spring blossom and autumn leaf colour too.  A wide variety of fruit can be grown in pots, including raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, blueberries, figs, plums, apples and pears.  Look for dwarf or miniature varieties which will cope well with container growing and won’t take over your space.

During winter, many types of fruit are available as bare-root plants, which means they can be planted straight away and will establish roots during the colder months, ready to spring to life with new leaves and fruit during the growing season.

Use good-quality compost and a generous-sized pot – most kinds of fruit will do well in a planter of 18-20 inches in diameter or more.  It’s helpful to add grit or perlite for drainage and a slow-release fertiliser too.  Fruit plants enjoy full sun and will need regular watering when they’re in growth.

Lift and divide rhubarb
Large, mature clumps of rhubarb should be divided every five years or so to ensure they continue to give a good crop.  Dig the whole plant up while dormant, retaining as much root as possible.  Using a spade, garden fork or sharp blade, cut off sections of the newest growth from the outside of the crown, making sure they each have at least one strong shoot and plenty of roots.

Each section can then be replanted with the shoots at ground level, and mulched with lots of organic matter.  Avoid harvesting the stems from these new plants for the first year – this allows them to establish properly.