Outside it is dark and bleak, so we make it extra cozy inside and outside. In the garden, on the terrace and on the balcony there is still plenty to do in December. Here are some fun and practical tips:

• Fill pots and baskets with winter blooms and greens such as Christmas rose, skimmia, heather, winter violets, mountain tea, holly or mini conifers. Perfect for on the garden table, balcony or by the front door.
• Until mid-December, as long as it’s not freezing, you can still plant spring bulbs – even in pots.
• Bring winter color to the garden with evergreen shrubs, berry plants, trees with beautiful bark and winter bloomers such as winter jasmine, mahonia and Prunus ‘Autumnalis’.
• Make a beautiful Christmas wreath for the front door from greenery and berry branches, possibly supplemented by pine cones, Christmas figurines, a ribbon or a string of lights.
• Get mood makers in your home such as (scented) candles, lanterns, fire pits and light cords. Hang strings of lights in trees, along the balcony railing or around the garden table.
• Winter is a great time for chores: building a path or patio, installing lights, repairing the fence or building a canopy.
• Remove water dishes from under pots, tidy up the shed and clean garden tools. Grease metal against rust and care for wooden stems so they don’t dry out.
• Check overwintering tub plants regularly for pests, remove infested leaves and water sparingly.
• Prune roses, fruit trees, berry bushes and deciduous hedges. From trimmings you can make a branch trellis or insect hotel.