December arrives with its softer light, low sun and colder mornings, and the garden finally settles into its winter rest. Growth has slowed right down, leaves have mostly fallen, and the structure of the garden begins to reveal itself again. Many trees have held onto their leaves a little longer this year, so you may still find the odd flurry settling on lawns and paths. It’s a peaceful time outdoors – ideal for gentle tidying, winter preparation and making the most of any vegetables still standing. Winter may feel calm, but there are still small, worthwhile jobs that will help your garden stay healthy through the colder months.

Simple Winter Jobs for Early December

Clear the Last of the Leaves

Even if some trees have shed later than usual, a final sweep keeps lawns breathing and paths safe. Gather leaves into a corner or compost bin and let time transform them into leaf mould – an excellent soil conditioner for spring.

Tidy Beds and Borders

Remove any lingering annuals, cut back collapsed stems and clear away fallen debris. This reduces places for pests to hide and gives your beds a clean, fresh start for the year ahead, allowing new growth to come through unhindered.

Check on Winter Vegetables

Milder early-winter spells often keep leeks, parsnips, kale and winter cabbages growing beautifully. A light frost improves their flavour even further, and harvesting little and often keeps everything crisp and fresh for winter cooking.

Protect Pots and Tender Plants

Terracotta pots can crack in freezing conditions, so raise them onto pot feet or small bricks to help drainage. Move tender plants to sheltered spots, keep fleece handy for sudden cold snaps, and add a layer of bark or straw around pots to insulate the roots.

Look After Tools and Structures

Winter is a great time to clean tools, sharpen blades, repair broken handles or mend fences and sheds. A little attention now means everything will be ready when spring returns and work in the garden begins again.

Need a Helping Hand This Season?

If you’d like support with winter tidy-ups, clearing, pruning or general maintenance, our team at Gardens of England is here to help. We’d be delighted to assist you in keeping your garden looking its best all year round.

Method

1. Soften the vegetables.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced leeks and chopped onion, then cook gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant but not browned.

2. Build the soup base.
Add the potato cubes to the pan and pour in the vegetable stock. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a knife.

3. Blend and season.
Remove the pan from the heat and blend the soup until completely smooth—either with a stick blender in the pan or by transferring batches to a jug blender. Return to the pan if needed and season well with salt and pepper.

Serving suggestion
Ladle the soup into warm bowls and finish with a crack of black pepper or a swirl of cream, if you like. Serve alongside thick slices of warm, crusty bread for a simple, comforting winter meal.