ORCHARD : A fruit day holds steady — a good moment to tend to dormant trees. Bare-root apple trees and pear trees planted now will anchor well through the cold weeks ahead; dig a generous hole, mound the centre slightly and firm the soil around each root with your heel. Quince trees and hazel planted this month establish quietly with little fuss. Walk through your stored fruit crates today and remove any pear or apple showing the first sign of softness before it spreads.
LANDSCAPING : Bare-root roses suit December well — choose a sunny spot, loosen the soil to 40 cm and work in a handful of well-rotted compost. Snowdrop bulbs planted 8 cm deep in cool, light shade will push through in January, a quiet reward for a few minutes’ work today.
INDOORS : Lemon trees overwintering under cover need very little water right now — check the pot weight before reaching for the watering can. Cyclamen in a cool room will flower longer kept away from radiators.