Lawn 

The lawn is always very decisive for a neat appearance of the garden. Therefore, it is also important to maintain the grass properly. As long as it is freezing, it is better not to walk on the grass because this can cause the blades to break off and it really damages the turf. Even after fall, leaves continue to fall from trees or blow on fallen leaves from elsewhere. Those leaves are disastrous to the turf; no sunlight can reach the blades, causing them to turn yellow and, in addition, mold can develop. Both factors eventually cause the grass to die and thus you get ugly yellow, and bare patches in your lawn. Therefore, leaf removal is always a job that just goes on all year round. If there is snow on the lawn, you can just leave it there.

Pruning

As long as it is not freezing, you can prune certain shrubs deep into winter. Especially fruit bushes such as the kiwi, blackberry or grape. Even the holly, full of beautiful red berries, can be trimmed. It will give you beautiful branches for your home. Be careful; if you don't cut now, the birds will eat all the berries!

Pond

If you have a pond in the garden, it requires a little extra attention. If it is a small pond that freezes easily, you may want to bring the pond plants inside to prevent them from freezing to death. If the pond has frozen over and there is snow on it, you need to sweep the snow away, otherwise not enough light will penetrate the water. Make an opening in the ice for oxygen. Fish hide deep under water, half in the bottom and under silt. You can also consider putting an air pump in the water, this will improve the quality of the water.

Maintenance of tools and other small jobs

Winter is an excellent time to take a closer look at all garden tools. Shears, pliers and the blades of mowers can be sharpened and possibly oiled. The garden hose should be empty to prevent freezing. In severe frosts, it is smart to shut off the water from the outdoor faucet and turn over pots where water may remain. As long as frost is not yet in the ground, you can still plant flower bulbs. The soil can also still be turned over; this improves the quality of the soil and ensures that it is ready for use in the spring.

Plants

The expression "tall trees catch a lot of wind" literally applies to plants as well. Plants can be protected from frost and inclement winds; press the soil around the plant and give tall plants support with sticks. Optionally, you can also make a windbreak with bamboo sticks and burlap. 

In mild weather, it is nice to place some plants on the garden table, such as a poinsettia or a few hyacinths. These plants and the plants in the garden that are semi- or not hardy should be brought inside if it freezes hard. A cool place, where there is enough light is good enough.

Birds

The birds could use some support during the cold days. Hanging or putting down some food for each species makes for a cozy crowd. Read more about this in the blog we posted about feeding birds.

Kitchen Garden

The harvest in the vegetable garden in December consists of chard and/or beet, broad beans, kale and sometimes lettuce. Now is also an appropriate time to begin sowing indoors in pots or containers on the windowsill. Seedlings can then be quickly put in the ground in the spring.

So you see; indeed plenty to do. A garden gives you year-round work, but also a lot of fun and a beautiful view!