I prepared this blog a couple of weeks ago and with all the busyness of Christmas, didn't get around to finishing it. So as it's about things I have been doing in the garden in December I decided to publish it as this month's 'Through the Garden Gate' post, joining with Sarah at Down by the Sea.
There's not been much gardening done in December except to sweep up leaves and cut back the odd plant which has got messy. But I've had lots of fun doing other things.
Christmas is a busy time, I love all the sparkle and glitter, it just seems to brighten up this dark time of year, not just in the house but also in the garden.
I've always enjoyed making my own evergreen door wreaths at Christmas. I put one on the front and one on the back door. But in the last two or three years I have felt inspired to decorate the garden too. I have loads of foliage available in the garden and at the allotment. There are seedheads, moss, twigs, berries and many other things freely available. So I have been making use of them.
I got a few ideas from our December visits to RHS Harlow Carr who decorate the greenhouse and summer house with rustic stuff, but who also add quirky things like hanging big baubles from trees and twiggy stars from the pergola.
So this year I have made twiggy wreaths wrapped in moss and berries and hung them on the garden gates and the shed. I have also arranged pots of seasonal colour on the garden table and potting benches. I made stars and hearts out of twigs to hang from the apple tree and other places. And I have hung big red baubles from the apple tree too.
I am expecting that the berries will all be eaten by the birds, but that doesn't matter they can have a feast for Christmas. Storm Barbara arrived here in the north yesterday and this morning I spotted a bright red shiny bauble on the lawn which had been blown off one of the stars in the apple tree. I'm hoping for some calmer weather soon.
Thank you to all who follow and comment on my blog I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.
