If we go by the calendar, December is the second month of winter. This may not be everybody’s favourite time of the year, as it can be drab and dreary.

Some people find it difficult to cope with the extra hours of darkness, and it may affect their mental health.

I find one of the best things to do is to get outdoors as much as possible. Even if it’s cold, just wrap up well and go for a long walk.

Here in the garden we have reached the end of the growing year. When the shortest day of the year has passed, it is a good time to take stock of what seeds will be needed for the next growing season. A slow walk around the garden to plan for next year’s sowing is a good idea.

It’s also a good idea not to grow a crop in the same place two years running. Potatoes need to be changed around each year. Some plots will benefit from a bit of digging and adding some farmyard manure, as the manure will break down during the spring and summer months.

Even though it is December, there are always plenty of jobs to do in the garden. In our garden the glasshouse was cleaned and frost protection was placed in by sealing the roof and sides with clear plastic.

All container plants are now stored there on the shelves, safe from the elements. Most of the potted plants got some farmyard manure and fresh soil.

Herbaceous plants from the borders that were beginning to ramble were divided and planted in other parts of the garden.

New fruit trees were sown and roses were pruned.

Walls around the garden were painted on the few good days we had.

You can see we love to be outside. The only thing that stops us is when it is lashing rain.

The weather has been reasonably mild for all the cattle, as some of them are still out as I write and get fed daily even though the grass is still good.

December is the month of family and friends, as Christmas is getting very near. It brings cheer meeting family and friends that some have not seen all year.

I would like to say to my gardening friends who have read my articles all year, thank you for all the emails and phone calls where we discuss the pros and cons of gardening, I do appreciate them.

I would also like to thank the photographers, Philip and Ramona, who take it in turn to come each month and to all who know me at the Irish Farmers Journal office. CL

You can email me at lilysgarden1@gmail.com.