December in your Cool Temperate garden

Prune roses after their first flush of flowering and apply Phostrogen Plant Food to encourage the second flush in the New Year.

If lawns are not taking up water, rake out thatch and apply Debco SaturAid to improve take-up and maximise watering efficiency.

Take cuttings of Azaleas, Daphne and Camellias as well as many native plants, striking them in Debco Propagation Mix.

Prepare your garden beds for your summer holidays by thoroughly soaking them and applying pine bark mulch to reduce water loss. It will also reduce weed growth.

Apply Debco SaturAid to pots to ensure that water take-up is efficient. If friends or neighbours are looking after your plants, you need their efforts to be effective.

Water is important for tomatoes. Inadequate water may cause fruit drop. Apply mulch to ensure water is retained in the soil.