December: the month of maintenance. The start of meteorological winter, home to the deep dark, time of the lowest light, the astronomical midwinter solstice, 21 December. Sunrise will soon be after 8am and will set before 4pm.
There is likely not so much to do on the plot. But it’s a good time for any heavy digging on days your soil is not soaked or frozen. It’s honestly easiest done before the end of the year. Work in well-rotted manure and/or compost. It will be a harder task next month. Otherwise, husband and protect any winter crops, mulch perennials, fruit trees and bushes. Maybe cover remaining maincrop roots with leaf or straw.
If you are lucky enough to have – or share – a shed, give it a good clear and clean. It is time, too, to look to tools. Wirewool them, sharpen the edges, oil the wood (I use linseed, just like when I was a kid with a cricket bat).
As before, remember to pay attention to resident birds and ponds. Try to ensure there is clean water available and leave any plants with seedheads as long as you can. Tidy around the edges of the plot, but not too much, please. Be sure to leave shelter for any creatures that might live there.
The other plots will be largely empty, though I will pop in regularly – more for my peace of mind, particularly this year, than any need to do anything other than vaguely plan.
I like to be there to appreciate the smallest changes. I am (mostly) resigned now to sharing our remaining leaves with the resident pigeons. Their need is greater than mine. I am happy just sitting there listening out for the owls, watching the holly berries redden. I hope for morning mist and mindfulness. I try to be alert to magic. Speaking of which: December is a very good month to start to think about seed.
Allan Jenkins’s Plot 29 (4th Estate, £9.99) is out now. Order it for £8.49 from guardianbookshop.com
