Studies show that people who garden are more likely to be satisfied with their lives, and less likely to display signs associated with depression or unhappiness. In fact, 93% of gardeners think that gardening improves their mood.

But for those whose unhappiness is related to the seasons, this provides a challenge. What gardening can you do in December?

Well, it turns out quite a lot. And we’re not just talking clearing leaves and mulching. There are lots of fun gardening options for those of us who are less hardy than most of our plants:

• Cloning. What could be a more cheery prospect than pretending that you’re a mad scientist wanting to clone things? Plants like the silver spurflower (plectranthus argentatus) and moses in the cradle (tradescantia spathacea) can be cloned by cutting stems about 5-8cm from the tips and rooting them in water, before potting.
• Dividing – the peace lily (spathiphyllum wallisii), a very common house plant, can be divided into two or three sections and planted into individual pots. Great fun if you live with a control freak, as this is likely to make a huge mess.
• Spice it up – winter is a time for warming spices and yours can be grown at home. Ginger is a good option; it tastes delicious in cake and has a number of medicinal effects that will keep you healthy throughout winter. If you want to grow your own ginger, all you need is a pot of compost and a sunny windowsill (well, as sunny as it gets in December).
• Grow mushrooms  - from December to January you can buy mushroom logs that are ready to be planted outdoors . They’ll provide you with a source of delicious food – and make you look like a fun guy.

Photo credit: Michael Behrens