12 Days of Christmas Gardening: The Ultimate Gardener’s Dozen (With a Prune of Your Favorite Pear Tree!)

You know the song, of course you do – with its joyful assortment of musical birds and hyperactive humans celebrating 12 days to see out the holidays into the new year. But for many of us, the days that fall in this ‘betwixtmas’ phase between the close of one year and the start of the new one tend to be a sleepy blur. Filled with TV guides, instruction manuals for appliances we never knew we needed, and sweaters we wouldn’t dream of wearing at any time but December, these inbetweeny days tend to be a time when the garden has a snooze (and yes, so do we). But allowing for a sense of good will and expectation about the future – well, rather than letting the yard go into total hibernation, why not lean into the spirit of the season?

These 12 days of Christmas gardening can be filled not with leaping lords or piping pipers, but with something a lot more rewarding – and simple. This is the ultimate festive listicle with a twist, geared towards achievable micro-gardening moments. By spending just a few intentional minutes each day on a specific aspect of gardening, you’ll be making a massive head start on your spring checklist and setting up your most beautiful and abundant garden ever. Every weed pulled and tool sharpened in your festive donwtime is a gift to your springtime self. So let’s turn this mid-winter lull into a symphony of positive action, with a hearty dollop of festive fresh air. Read on for a 12-day holiday plan of enjoyable, proactive tasks you can tick off during the holiday break to prep for spring and kickstart your best gardening year yet.

Day 1: A Prune of Your Favorite Pear Tree

The first of our garden tasks at Christmas involves giving our pear (and apple) trees some love. While the tree is dormant, we can prune back dead or crossing branches to open up the center. This improves airflow and guarantees a bumper crop of juicy fruit in summer. Winter is the dormant season, which is the safest time for pruning our pears and apples as the trees are asleep. This is prime time for structural pruning, minimizing sap loss and risk of disease. And the goal is to tackle the three Ds: remove anything dead, damaged, or diseased. Grab your best pruning shears, pruning saw or loppers. Fiskars 15-Inch PowerGear Loppers from Amazon are great for pear trees.

Once you’ve cleared the dead and problematic wood, look for crossing branches that might create wounds in the bark. You want to open up the center of the tree to create a wine-glass shape. This allows light and air to reach the middle, which in turn will help flowers thrive and fruits ripen.

Pro tip: Cut just above an outward-facing bud at a slight 45-degree angle. This directs new growth away from the center and ensures rainwater runs off the cut, rather than sitting on the bud and causing rot. A little snip now leads to a heavy harvest later.

Day 2: Two Tools to Clean

It’s time for a tool tune-up. The next of our Christmas and New Year gardening jobs is about cleaning and polishing winter pruners. So grab a rag and some oil to wipe down your shears or pruning saws. A quick polish and sharpen now means clean, healthy cuts on your shrubs and trees when you need them most, so they heal faster and keep plants healthy. Your cutting tools have worked hard all year, and on the second day of Christmas gardening, it’s time to show them some TLC.

Sharp tools mean clean cuts, Use a stiff brush or some wire wool to scrub away dried sap and rust from secateurs and loppers. If they’re feeling stiff, a drop of 3-in-1 oil or a specialized tool lubricant in the spring mechanism will make them feel brand new. To sharpen, use a whetstone or a diamond sharpener, like the AccuSharp Garden Tool Diamond Honed Tool Sharpener from Amazon.

Follow the existing bevel (the angled edge) of the blade and stroke away from your body in one smooth motion. While you’re in the shed, do a quick safety sweep, and check that no wooden handles are splintering, and that your shovel is dry and not hiding under a pile of damp bags. A dry, organized shed means a happy gardener.

Day 3: Three Fab Seeds

Next, we’re looking forward to the first whispers of spring by starting three ‘early bird’ seeds. First up for seed starting now are chillies. These need a long growing season to develop their heat, so get them into small pots or cells now and place them on a warm propagator or a sunny, south-facing windowsill. You can buy Serrano Chili Hot Pepper Seeds from Burpee.

Third, sowing sweet peas now allows them to develop a deep, robust root system before the top growth takes off. You can buy Everwilde Farms 50 Mammoth Sweet Pea Flower Seeds from Walmart. Finally, tiny snapdragon seeds need light to germinate, so just press them onto the surface of the soil rather than burying them. You can buy Heirloom Snapdragon ‘Fairy Bouquet’ Seed Mix from Amazon.

Pro tip: If you’re sowing this early, light is your best friend. Use a simple LED grow-light to prevent seedlings becoming leggy as they stretch for the winter sun. Keep the soil moist but not sodden, and label everything. You'd be surprised how quickly you can forget which chilli is the super hot one.

Day 4: Four Feeding Birds

On the fourth day, we turn our attention to the sweet ‘calling birds’ that bring our winter gardens to life. Keeping bird feeders clean is vital for attracting birds. A quick wash with a 5% disinfectant solution prevents the spread of diseases like Trichomonosis. Once sparkling, fill them with high-energy treats.

Suet blocks are perfect for chickadees and titmice, providing the calories they need to stay warm through freezing nights. Try tiny, oil rich Nyjer seeds for finches, and a scattering of sunflower hearts for cardinals. You can buy Kaytee All American Wild Bird Seed Blend from Amazon, and Old Potters Sunflowers Hearts from Walmart for a balanced diet. You can also try a few raisins as a little high-energy treat in winter.

Pro tip: Don’t forget the water in your private bird sanctuary. Even in freezing weather, birds need to drink and bathe to keep their feathers in top flight-condition. Float a small ping-pong ball or rubber duck on the surface of your birdbath; the slightest breeze will move the ball and keep a small patch of water from icing over. This simple hack makes a world of difference for your feathered visitors.

Day 5: Five Golden Leaves

On the fifth day, we’re hunting for black gold. Leaf mold is one of the most precious substances a gardener can have. It’s a perfect, free soil conditioner that improves drainage and moisture retention. Any lingering fallen leaves are a powerhouse of nutrients just waiting to be unlocked. Don’t let those golden leaves go to waste! Grab a garden rake and collect any damp, fallen leaves from your lawn or paths. You can buy a Gardzen Leaf Rake with a Dustpan Garden Bag from Amazon.

The secret to great leaf mold is time and air. Stuff your leaves into a sturdy plastic trash bag, packing them down firmly. Take a garden fork and poke at least a dozen holes in the bag to let it breathe. Add a splash of water if the leaves are dry, tie the top, and tuck it away in a shady corner. By next winter, you’ll have an earthy mulch, and by the following year, it will be a dark, crumbly compost, perfect for potting mixes to improve drainage and moisture retention in your pots for free. It’s nature’s way of recycling, and it costs you absolutely nothing but 10 minutes of light exercise now.

Day 6: Six Paths for Sweeping

On the sixth Christmas gardening day, we're focusing on the bones of the garden: our paths and walkways. During these damp, low-light days of winter, stone and wooden paths can quickly become coated in a slick layer of green algae and moss, turning a pleasant garden stroll into a skating rink. Embark on a vigorous garden cleanup with a stiff-bristled broom, clearing away the grit and organic matter that algae love to feed on. You can also use a hand brush like the Weiler Heavy Duty Deck Scrub Brush for Decks and Patios from Amazon.

Pro tip: If you have stubborn green patches, a simple mixture of white vinegar, water and a drop of dish soap can lift the grime beautifully. You can buy Iberia Distilled White Vinegar from Amazon. Spray it on a dry day, let it sit for a few hours, and then give it a scrub. For wooden decking, a sprinkle of baking soda before sweeping can help lift the grime. Keeping paths clear doesn't just look neat, it defines the structure of your garden and keeps you safe on those winter walks, making the space feel cared for even when flower beds are fast asleep.

Day 7: Seven Stakes for Straightening

Next, we’re playing the role of garden guardian. Winter winds can be fierce, and a phenomenon called wind-rock can be a silent enemy. This happens when a tall plant or young tree is buffeted by gales, causing the stem to act like a lever, loosening the roots and creating a pocket of air or water that can lead to rot. So take a brisk lap around your yard to check plant supports for shrubs, young saplings, and climbing roses. Give each stake a firm wiggle, and if the ground has softened, drive the stake deeper or reposition it on the windward side. If you need pole reinforcements, buy Gardgue Store’s Natural Bamboo Poles from Amazon.

Pro tip: Check your ties. You want them tight enough to provide support but loose enough to allow the trunk to expand. A fantastic hack is to use old nylon stockings or strips of soft t-shirt fabric; they have the perfect give and won't bite into the bark like wire or thin twine. A few minutes of straightening now ensures your plants will stay grounded and ready to leap into growth come spring.

Day 8: Eight Minutes Mulching

On the eighth festive day, set a timer for 8 minutes, because we’re going to spread a thick, insulating layer of compost, bark or well-rotted manure around vulnerable plants. This cozy winter blanket will protect roots from deep frost and keep the soil healthy, feeding it for the year ahead.

Mulching is perhaps the best thing you can do for soil health, and by focusing on 8 minutes, you can make it a sprint rather than a marathon. Your goal is to apply a 2-3-inch (5-8cm) layer of organic matter (like wood chips, well-rotted manure, or aged compost) around vulnerable plants (think of those tender perennials or newly planted shrubs). You can buy Back to the Roots Organic Premium Mulch from Amazon.

Pro tip: Never let the mulch touch the stem or trunk of the plant. Create a donut shape, leaving breathing room around the base. This prevents the bark from rotting, while protecting roots from freeze-thaw cycles. Mulching now suppresses weeds, regulates soil temperature to prevent roots from heaving in freeze-thaw cycles, and provides a slow-release feast for earthworms. It’s the best 8 minutes of work you can do this festive season and it will pay dividends for the year ahead.

Day 9: Nine Pots for Cleaning

It’s time to give our empty containers a spa day and clean our pots. It might seem a chore, but scrubbing your pots is essential garden hygiene. Over the season, pots (especially terracotta types) can get crusty with white mineral salts and may harbor microscopic pest eggs or fungal spores that could attack delicate spring seedlings.

Give your container gardening massive a good soak in a bucket of warm water with a splash of eco-friendly dish soap or a bit of white vinegar. Use a stiff brush to get into the crevices. Buy Naturolic Store’s All-Natural Wooden Scrub Brush Set from Amazon. Scrub pots to remove those mineral salts and hidden pest eggs.

Pro tip: If you have stubborn mineral stains on clay pots, a paste of baking soda and water works wonders to lift them. Once they’re clean, stack them neatly (and upside down) in the shed or a sheltered spot. This prevents them from filling with water and cracking if the temperature dips below freezing. You’ll be so grateful for these sparkling, ready-to-go containers when planting fever hits in March.

Day 10: Ten Weeds a-Leaping

Next, we’re going on weed patrol. While most of the garden is sleeping, certain winter weeds (like bittercress, chickweed, and henbit) are jumping into action. These plants love the cool, damp weather and can go from a tiny sprout to a shower of seeds in a few weeks. The trick to tackling weeds-a-leaping is to catch them before they flick seed all over your yard. Spend 10 minutes lifting the roots of these leapers. You can use a hand fork to life the whole root of certain weeds, especially for dandelions. Or buy Grampa’s Weeder Original Stand-Up Weed Puller from Amazon.

Pro tip: If the ground is frozen, don't make the mistake of struggling. Use a hula-hoe or a sharp trowel to slice the heads off at the soil line; this stops them from seeding and buys you time until spring. Just remember, not every weed is a villain. If you spot some dead-nettle or clover, leave a small patch in a corner. These provide vital early-season nectar for those first brave bumblebees that wake up on warm winter days.

Day 11: Eleven Happy Houseplants

It’s time to bring our green thumbs indoors. When the central heating kicks in, our houseplants can feel the stress. To start, use a damp, soft cloth to wipe the dust off plants with large leaves, like fiddle leaf figs or monstera plants, so they can breathe. Dust acts like a barrier to sunlight, and in winter, every photon counts.

You can use leaf shine to boost leaf health. Buy Miracle-Gro Leaf Shine from Amazon. For your snake plants and succulents, less is more, though. They are likely dormant, so hold back on fluid to prevent root rot. Keep a sharp eye out for uninvited guests like fungus gnats or spider mites, which love dry, indoor air. Finally, move calatheas or ferns away from drafty windows or scorching radiators. A little misting or a pebble tray filled with water will keep the humidity high. You can buy Sustainable Village Store’s Copper Plant Mister from Amazon to maintain houseplant humidity levels.

Pro tip: If you see tiny black gnats hovering around peace lilies, try bottom watering by sitting the pot in a tray of water for 20 minutes rather than pouring it on top. This keeps the surface soil dry and discourages pests from laying eggs.

Day 12: Twelve Herbals Humming

On our final day of Christmas gardening, we celebrate by filling our windowsills with herb cuttings. We’re aiming for 12 pots of cuttings to keep our kitchens humming with flavor (but don’t feel like you have to stop at 12). Focus on the Big Three: rosemary, sage, and mint. Take 4-inch (10cm) snips from the tips of healthy stems, strip the lower leaves, and pop them into small pots of gritty compost or even jars of water to see the roots sprout. If you’re feeling adventurous, try Thai basil (my favorite). This vigorous, aniseed-scented grower loves the warmth of a kitchen.

Under a grow-light, herbs will thrive regardless of the short days. An LED light bar set on a 12-hour timer will mimic the summer sun, preventing your herbs from getting leggy and keeping their essential oils (and flavor) truly potent. You can buy Spider Farmer SF4000 LED Full Spectrum Grow Lights from Amazon. For a tighter budget, try the KingLED KP2000 LED Full Spectrum Grow Lights from Amazon.

These fragrant drummers will provide fresh harvests all winter long and a boost of green joy on the shortest days. By the time the snow melts and spring arrives, you’ll have a dozen established herb plants ready to be hardened off and moved into the garden. It’s the ultimate gift to your future self – a year of fresh, homegrown seasoning starting right now.

This gardening action plan has been inspired by the traditional English Christmas carol. If you need even more ideas for getting the most from your garden in the coming year, no problem! You can get all the latest seasonal expert advice delivered straight to your inbox if you sign up for the free Gardening Know How Newsletter!