VEGETABLE PATCH : A grey December morning — check under the cold frame and harvest leeks that have reached finger thickness. Pull them gently, trim the roots and the darkest outer leaves, then store upright in a cool shed. Spinach growing under cover can be picked leaf by leaf; younger leaves are milder and hold better in the cold. Watercress in a sheltered spot benefits from a light trim to encourage fresh growth.
INDOORS : Lemon trees overwintering under cover need very little water right now — check the compost with your finger and water only when the top 3 cm feels dry. Olive trees in pots appreciate a light wipe of their leaves with a damp cloth to clear dust and help them breathe. Avoid placing any pot directly against a cold wall without insulation beneath.
LANDSCAPING : Rhododendrons and camellias planted now in ericaceous compost will settle quietly before the hardest cold. Mulch the base generously — a 5 cm layer of pine bark holds moisture and protects surface roots. Winter jasmine stems that have sprawled can be tied back to their support today; it keeps the plant tidy and channels energy into the flowering shoots.