Essential Winter Garden Care in South East London: What to Do in December

December is a quieter month in the garden, but it’s also one of the most important for long-term plant health. The work you do now protects your outdoor space through winter and sets the stage for strong spring growth. As a South East London gardener, here are the key winter garden care tasks I recommend.

1. Protect Plants from Frost

Cold snaps can damage even hardy plants. Use fleece, mulch or straw around the base of tender shrubs. Raise pots off the ground to help drainage and prevent roots from freezing.

If you have palms, tree ferns or exotics, make sure their crowns are wrapped and protected. Proper frost protection is essential for gardens in South East London and Kent.

👉 Learn more about our winter protection and plant care services: Winter Garden Maintenance

2. Tidy Beds and Borders

Clearing dead growth and fallen leaves prevents pests and diseases overwintering in your borders. Cut back faded herbaceous plants, remove annuals and finish with mulch to insulate the soil.

This simple task is the backbone of effective garden maintenance in December.

👉 Need help tidying borders?Garden Maintenance Services

3. Light Winter Pruning

December is a great time to shape evergreens and remove dead, diseased or crossing branches. Proper pruning improves airflow and sets up healthier spring growth.

For larger shrubs or trees, professional tree care ensures everything is cut safely and correctly.

👉 Book a pruning or tree care visit:Tree Care & Pruning

4. Care for Your Lawn

A well-kept winter lawn leads to a strong spring lawn. Key December tasks include:

• Keeping grass clear of leaves

• Avoiding foot traffic when frozen or waterlogged

• Light aeration of compacted areas

• Brushing away moss and debris

If your lawn suffers from standing water, deeper lawn drainage work may be needed — winter is the ideal time to fix this.

👉 More on our drainage solutions:Lawn Drainage & Aeration

5. Check Your Garden for Winter Safety

Storms and strong winds highlight weak branches, leaning fences and unstable structures. A quick safety check now can prevent damage later.

If anything looks unsafe — especially trees or large shrubs — it’s worth getting a professional assessment.

👉 Get expert help:Garden Safety & Tree Inspection

6. Plan Ahead for Spring

December is one of the best months to plan bigger garden projects such as:

• New planting schemes

• Turfing or re-turfing

• Raised beds

• Complete garden redesigns

• Seasonal garden clearance

Booking early ensures your garden is ready for the spring rush.

👉 Explore design and landscaping:Garden Design & Planting PlansGarden Clearances

Need a Hand This Winter?

If you'd like help with winter garden care, pruning, lawn drainage, or general garden maintenance, South East Green Care provides reliable, professional gardening services across South East London, Bexley, Greenwich, Dartford and Kent.

👉 Contact Us TodayFor advice, bookings, or winter support.