December in the Garden

Spring in the Making: Bulbs by the Thousand

In preparation for next spring’s cut-flower extravaganza, Rachel, David, and the team have planted an impressive 3,200 bulbs across the garden. A full spectrum of tulip varieties—alongside early-rising ranunculus, which are already pushing up through the soil in our smaller polytunnel!

Tip: Ranunculus appreciate excellent drainage over winter—slightly gritty compost and good air circulation help prevent rot during cold, damp spells.

Christmas Wreath Workshops: Crafting, Community & Creativity

We’ve been busy gathering natural materials from around the garden in readiness for our much-loved Christmas wreath workshops. These sessions are a highlight of our year—creative, festive, and always wonderfully supported by both familiar faces and new friends from the local community and beyond.

This year, attendees can look forward to homemade soup and fresh bread to keep spirits warm. We’re also delighted to offer a limited number of handmade wreaths for sale in our brand-new online shop for those unable to attend in person.

Raspberry Renewal: New Growth for a New Season

Angie and the team have been hard at work rejuvenating our raspberry bed. The canes were carefully dug up, the soil enriched with well-rotted manure, and then replanted along with narcissi bulbs kindly donated by Tesco.

We’re also exploring layering some of the canes—bending and pegging down sections to encourage roots at each “knuckle”, creating a fresh generation of young plants for a future bed and for sale at next year’s Open Day stall.

Tip: Winter is an excellent time to prune summer-fruiting raspberries, removing the old canes that fruited last year and leaving the new green canes for next season’s harvest.

Tending the Tender: Succulents & Winter Protection

Sara has made sure our aeoniums and other tender succulents are safely tucked away for winter. With night temperatures dropping quickly, it’s a crucial moment to offer protection. We extend heartfelt thanks to those generous community members who have chosen to “foster” some of our most delicate plants in the warmth of their own homes for the season.

Tip: Succulents overwinter best in bright, cool rooms with minimal watering—too much moisture is the biggest winter danger.

Tree Care Time: Winter Pruning Wisdom

Our annual tree maintenance is scheduled any day now. Joseph from Top Tree will be making expert cuts to lift canopies and remove any problematic boughs around the garden.

This is the perfect time of year to prune many ornamental deciduous trees at home, as well as apple trees, grapevines, and wisteria.

Tip: Winter structural pruning encourages strong spring growth—always remove crossing, congested, or inward-growing branches first.

A Towering Showstopper: Dahlia Imperialis

Against all the odds—and towering above us at over eight feet tall—our magnificent Dahlia imperialis has decided that Advent is the moment to bloom. These “tree dahlias” are notoriously capricious, so to see one flowering in December is a seasonal treat.

Looking Ahead: Renewal, Repairs & Crafting Materials

As we prepare for our Annual Christmas Feast, shared among members in our own little corner of Eden, we are also planning for the year ahead. Our begonia and fern shade house is in need of attention—repairs that may verge on a full rebuild—and our willow bed will soon be cut hard to the ground to supply fresh whips for next year’s craft workshops.

Tip: Cutting willow in winter not only provides excellent weaving material but also encourages straight, strong growth for the coming season.

Warm Thanks & Seasonal Wishes

There’s certainly never a dull moment at the Garden Gate Project—even as we retreat into the warmth of our log-burner-heated cabins. As we reflect on all we’ve achieved this past year, and look forward to the growth yet to come, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for the wonderful, ongoing support from our community.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year for 2026.

Happy gardening—and we look forward to seeing you in the garden soon!