Gardening in December – Latest newsletter from Jane Folis

THIS is the time of year where other events take over and there is little time for anything other than Christmas preparations. The garden is no exception. The weather doesn?t help and although we have had some glorious days just recently there seem to be more of the wet, windy and cold variety.Although frost is a perishing nuisance early on a weekday morning when you are trying to thaw out the car, I do love the ethereal beauty it gives to plants in the garden particularly if you have left seed heads on your perennials.

However, if we have had severe frosts it is best not to walk on the grass as it burns it.

If you are not proposing to work in the garden, now is a good time to look at what you have got and what you might be able to use as decorations for the festive period. If you are lucky enough to have Chimonanthus praecox or Viburnum x bodnantense in the garden ? do pick it and put it amongst a table decoration. The scent is heavenly.

Evergreen shrubs and berried branches, such as variegated Euonymus, ivy, holly and laurel are useful backdrops for flower arrangements, as are Sarcococca, Eleagnus and Cotoneaster.

I like to make chocolate leaves to decorate puds and if you can bear the mess, children love to make these too. Cut ivy leaves in varying sizes leaving just a little bit of the stalk to hold on to. Firstly, wash the leaves and allow them to dry out completely. Melt the chocolate in a bain marie ? a saucepan of boiling water with the chocolate in a pudding basin ? make sure the bottom of the basin doesn?t touch the water. When the chocolate is melted, take a paint brush and paint the leaf. Place on greaseproof paper and allow to dry. It is probably worth painting two layers. When completely set, peel the leaf away from the chocolate. No two leaves are ever the same and they tend to dry with a curled effect. They look really great with almost any pudding ? though maybe not the traditional plum!!

Talking of food, which of course I love, I have still been trying to track down Monkfish cheeks to make one of the most delicious dishes I sampled on my Food Orgy weekend in Ireland. I think I have been successful. They are available from www.fishinabox.co.uk. At a price of course! However, I might have found a more local source and am waiting to hear whether she can obtain small quantities. If any of you are interested, please let me know as the more we can order the more likely she is to be able to supply. I have included the recipe which blew me away overleaf. I am definitely ordering before Christmas, so let me know
asap if you want any.

Remember to look at The Garden Boutique Website ? www.gardenboutique.co.uk. Quote the promotional code JF268 and you will be entitled to a discount.

And, I nearly forgot ? I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas?

RECIPE: Monkfish Cheeks and Chorizo

Monkfish cheeks Olive Oil
Chorizo sausage Whiskey
Double cream

Put the cheeks in a bowl and coat in oil. Heat the pan until hot and then add the cheeks. Cook on one side and then add the chorizo. Throw in a slug of whiskey and flame. Add the cream and let it cook down on a low heat. Simmer gently for a few minutes and serve.

This was truly one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten and although Carmel said you could substitute the cheeks for scallops ? it just isn?t the same.

SEASONAL TIPS
Plant spring-flowering bulbs without delay.

Remember to begin feeding the birds and offering a constant supply of clean, unfrozen water. There are plenty of proprietary products available in the shops, but again perhaps the children could be encouraged to make some goodies. You will basically need some melted lard and loads of nuts and seeds. Mix them all up and then pour, when cooled, into something like a yoghurt pot. If you make
a hole in the bottom of the pot and thread some string through and tie a knot, the fat can be poured around the string and when set you have an instant bird feeder to hang outside.

Protect slightly tender plants. We had quite a severe frost last night and more are forecast. It is difficult to know which plants are susceptible as a lot of the more tender varieties have now acclimatised themselves to our colder winters. However, if you have recently introduced new plants
or have had your garden planted, pay particular attention to Phormiums, Astelias, Dickinsonias (tree ferns) and Arbutilons. Protect the base by
covering with straw (available from pet shops in manageable sizes), and wrap fleece around them tied with raffia or string. Not a pretty site in the
garden but worth it if you can save the plant. Agapanthus and lilies can be protected by covering with a layer of compost.

Plant roses, shrubs and trees as soon as they are delivered and if bare root plants look at all dry, soak the roots in water for several hours before planting.

If your seed catalogues have arrived spend some time planning for next year. At the same time, clean old pots and seed trays ready for next spring.

Dig over any vacant ground and work in compost or manure. This helps to break down the soil over the winter months.

Check stakes and tree ties.

Raise containers on feet or bricks to prevent waterlogging.

VEGETABLE & FRUIT GARDEN
Root crops such as potato, beetroot and celeriac will not survive if we have continued frosts. It is best to dig them up and put into store.

Start winter digging. We all have quite heavy soils around here and by digging over at this time of year it does help to break it down to a finer tilth for next spring.

Lift parsnips and Jerusalem artichokes as required.
Blanch endive in small batches.
Plant and prune new fruits. The leaders of bush fruits should be pruned by a half to two-thirds (to outward facing buds) to encourage branches to continue upwards and outwards and keeping the centre open.

Inspect stored apples and pears for rot and remove any damaged fruit. Force rhubarb outdoors. Cover the crowns with straw and place a bucket over the top making sure it is lightproof.

For more detailed information on what to do in the garden in December, visit: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/calandar.asp.

GREENHOUSE
Grape vines can be encouraged to produce buds along the length of the rods by supporting them in the middle and letting the top hang down. Spray with a 4% solution of tar-oil winter wash to prevent
pests.

Clear up debris both inside and outside the greenhouse and wash the glass to let more light in.

Check heaters.

POINTS OF INTEREST

BBOWT
I have a great friend, Maggie Piggott, who works at the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust as the Community Wildlife Officer for Bucks. She is an expert on wildlife gardening. BBOWT has a Wildlife Information Service which takes over 700 calls per year. The service is open on a Monday ? 01865 788307. There are over 38 fact sheets available. For a list please visit ? www.bbowt.org.uk. Maggie will send me an article each month which I am happy to forward on to anyone.
This month she is covering ?Hedgehogs?.

A naturally grown Christmas tree is five times more environmentally compatible than a plastic tree. www.christmastree.org.uk.

PLACES TO VISIT

RHS Wisley Christmas Shopping Weekends December 13th and 20th – Tel: 01483 211113

EVENTS
Waddesdon Manor
?Make a Spectacular Christmas Centrepiece?
Saturday 6th December ? 10.30 ? 12.00 & 2.30
Tel: 01296 653226 www.waddesdon.org.uk

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton
Thomas and Santa ? a chance to meet Father Christmas
December 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th
01296 655720

Cinderella
Aylesbury Civic Centre
01296 486009

Christmas Farmers Market
Market Square, Aylesbury
Tuesday 23rd December

The RHS have created an Event Finder online. Visit
www.rhs.org.uk/rhseventfinder for details.