As winter graces the garden with its hushed presence, December emerges not as a month of stillness but as a canvas ready for visionary strokes. It’s a moment to look beyond the frost, envisaging the vibrant tapestry that will unfold. In this seemingly dormant period, gardeners find a key to orchestrating a future symphony of colors and life.
December offers a wealth of choices for the discerning gardener—hardy vegetables, captivating flowers, and the promise of sweet fruits. The canvas may appear muted, but with thoughtful planning, it transforms into a masterpiece in progress. Imagine a garden bursting into life as winter wanes—a haven of colors, your sanctuary.
For those yearning for a flourishing vegetable plot, December lays the groundwork for a harvest extending beyond the frosty months. Plan diligently, and your kitchen garden will yield not just sustenance but the joy of cultivating your own bounty.
As the winter garden rests, awaken your imagination. Envision blooms dancing in the spring breeze, hardy vegetables gracing your table, and the sweetness of fruits offering summer delights. Explore December’s garden ideas; this isn’t mere planning—it’s sowing the seeds of a vision blossoming into a sanctuary, a testament to nature’s resilience and the gardener’s artistry. Discover what to plant in December and nurture the promise of a garden teeming with life.
What Veggies to Plant in December:
In December’s embrace, hardy vegetables take center stage, resilient against winter’s chill. Consider sowing garlic, broad beans, and winter salad leaves, laying the groundwork for a robust kitchen garden that defies the frost.
Microgreens:
In the chill of December, when the garden might seem dormant, microgreens emerge as tiny nutritional powerhouses that defy the winter gloom. These miniature greens, bursting with intense flavors and vibrant colors, offer a concentrated dose of essential vitamins and minerals. Sowing microgreens this time of year is a savvy move for gardeners seeking a quick, homegrown solution to fresh, healthy meals. Whether you opt for the spicy kick of radish microgreens or the earthy notes of kale, these small wonders can be easily cultivated indoors, providing a flavorful and nutritious addition to salads, sandwiches, and other culinary creations.
Asparagus:
Asparagus, typically associated with the promise of spring, can find its roots in your winter garden. December marks the opportune moment to lay the groundwork for an upcoming season of tender asparagus shoots. As a perennial, asparagus demands careful planning, especially concerning soil quality and spacing. By initiating the planting process in December, you ensure that your garden will welcome the arrival of this delectable vegetable come spring. With the right care, asparagus becomes not just a vegetable but a perennial investment in your garden’s future harvests.
Radishes:
For a burst of color and a satisfying crunch in your winter garden, turn to radishes. These hardy root vegetables thrive in the cool temperatures of December, offering a delightful addition to your winter planting repertoire. From classic red radishes to the milder hues of watermelon and daikon, the variety in color and flavor is extensive. Sowing radishes in December involves careful selection of varieties, proper soil preparation, and thoughtful spacing. As winter progresses, your efforts will be rewarded with a vibrant harvest, ready to add a crisp and colorful touch to salads, garnishes, or simply enjoyed fresh from the garden.
Broad Beans:
In the heart of winter, broad beans emerge as resilient and nutrient-rich legumes, defying the seasonal chill. Planting broad beans in December not only aligns with their cold-hardy nature but sets the stage for a wholesome harvest when temperatures begin to rise. These beans, known for their buttery texture and earthy flavor, thrive in well-prepared soil with adequate spacing. With proper care during the winter months, broad beans promise a robust and nutritious addition to your culinary repertoire, from hearty stews to simple sautés.
Winter Salad Leaves:
Bring a burst of freshness to the winter garden with an array of winter salad leaves. Sowing these greens in December ensures a steady supply of crisp, vibrant leaves for your salads even in the coldest months. From the peppery kick of arugula to the delicate flavors of mâche, winter salad leaves are a testament to the diversity of cold-tolerant greens. Container gardening is an excellent option for cultivating these winter wonders, offering flexibility for gardeners with limited space. Harvesting and enjoying these fresh leaves add not only nutrition but also a touch of vitality to your winter meals.
Super-Hot Chillies:
As winter casts its chilly embrace, introduce an element of heat and excitement to your garden with super-hot chillies. Known for their fiery intensity and diverse range of flavors, these culinary powerhouses add a thrilling kick to your winter harvest. Whether you opt for the scorching heat of habaneros or the intense spice of ghost peppers, super-hot chillies are a bold addition to any culinary adventure. Planting them in December sets the stage for a vibrant and spicy harvest, ensuring a fiery touch to your winter dishes. From salsas to hot sauces, these chillies bring warmth and intensity to the winter table, turning each meal into a culinary journey.
Red Kale:
In the winter garden, red kale stands out as a vibrant symphony of color and a nutritional powerhouse. With its deep red and purple hues, red kale not only adds visual appeal to your garden but also provides a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants during the colder months. Planting red kale in December is a strategic move, allowing it to establish roots and thrive in the cooler temperatures. This cold-hardy green becomes a versatile addition to your winter kitchen, perfect for hearty salads, sautés, or even as a flavorful garnish. Red kale transforms the winter garden into a tapestry of hues and a source of wholesome nutrition, making it an indispensable part of the winter planting repertoire.
Edible Dill:
Bring a touch of aromatic sophistication to your winter garden with edible dill. Known for its feathery foliage and distinctive flavor, dill is a versatile herb that adds a burst of freshness to your winter culinary creations. Planting edible dill in December allows it to establish its roots during the colder months, ensuring a ready supply for your kitchen. The delicate, anise-like taste of dill complements a variety of dishes, from creamy soups to fish and salads. As the winter garden weaves its seasonal magic, edible dill becomes a fragrant thread, enhancing the overall culinary tapestry with its distinctive aroma and flavor.
Elephant Garlic:
Make a statement in your winter garden with the bold presence of elephant garlic. As a larger and milder cousin to traditional garlic, this bulbous beauty imparts a subtle, yet distinctive, flavor to your winter culinary creations. Planting elephant garlic in December ensures that it establishes strong roots during the winter chill, ready to flourish in the upcoming seasons. Known for its colossal cloves and mild taste, elephant garlic is a versatile addition to various dishes. From roasts to savory spreads, its presence elevates the flavor profile, offering a unique garlic experience that lingers delicately on the palate. Embrace the grandeur of elephant garlic as it takes center stage in your winter garden, promising culinary delights in the seasons to come.
Potted Mint:
Even in the heart of winter, the aromatic allure of mint can find refuge in your garden, thanks to the convenience of potted mint. Whether nestled by a windowsill or adorning your garden space, potted mint ensures a steady supply of this refreshing herb throughout the colder months. Planting mint in December not only allows for its roots to establish in cozy confines but also provides an accessible source for teas, garnishes, and culinary creations. The invigorating scent and taste of mint add a lively touch to winter beverages, desserts, and savory dishes alike. Amidst the winter chill, potted mint becomes an aromatic haven, offering a burst of freshness and flavor that defies the season’s muted tones.
Chicory and Chicons: A Winter Symphony of Bitter Elegance
Embrace the elegance of bitter flavors in your winter garden with chicory and chicons. Chicory, with its distinctive bitter notes, adds depth to winter salads and dishes, making it a sophisticated choice for culinary enthusiasts. Planting chicory in December ensures a robust growth during the cooler months. As winter progresses, chicory undergoes a unique transformation, giving rise to chicons—blanched, tender shoots that bring a delicate sweetness to the bitter symphony. These winter delicacies, both chicory and chicons, elevate your culinary endeavors, providing a balance of flavors that complements a range of dishes from simple salads to complex, multi-layered creations.
Cress:
In the winter garden, cress stands out as a peppery accent, adding a lively kick to your winter bites. Sowing cress in December ensures a steady supply of these tender, piquant leaves for your culinary adventures. With a flavor profile that ranges from mild to spicy, cress is a versatile addition to salads, sandwiches, and even as a garnish for soups. The cold-hardy nature of cress makes it a resilient companion in the winter garden, offering a burst of peppery freshness that invigorates your winter palate. Incorporate cress into your winter dishes to infuse them with a dynamic and flavorful punch.
Lambs Lettuce:
Lambs lettuce, also known as corn salad or mâche, graces the winter garden with its tender, spoon-shaped leaves, bringing a touch of delicacy to your winter salads. Planting lambs lettuce in December allows it to thrive in the cool temperatures, offering a reliable source of crisp, mild leaves throughout the season. The subtle, nutty flavor of lambs lettuce complements a variety of winter dishes, making it a favorite in salads or as a bed for heartier mains. As the winter garden weaves its tapestry of textures and flavors, lambs lettuce emerges as a gentle yet essential element, adding both visual appeal and nutritional value to your winter culinary creations.
What Flowers to Plant in December:
As winter graces the garden with its quiet charm, December offers the perfect canvas for floral beauty. Delphiniums, sweet peas, and hellebores are ideal choices, promising a symphony of colors and elegance in the seasons to come.
Delphiniums:
In the enchanting embrace of December, the garden takes on a regal aura with the introduction of Delphiniums. These majestic perennials, known for their towering spikes of vivid blues, purples, and whites, defy the winter chill, promising a spectacle of elegance even in the coldest months. Planting Delphiniums in December sets the stage for a grand display come spring, as their vertical blooms reach towards the sky. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil, providing these winter beauties the perfect foundation for their stately presence. Delphiniums, with their commanding allure, become the garden’s winter sentinels, standing tall against the frosty backdrop and laying the groundwork for a regal floral display in the seasons to come.
Sweet Peas:
As winter wraps the garden in its quiet embrace, Sweet Peas emerge as fragrant ambassadors of winter romance. With their delicate tendrils and sweet fragrance, Sweet Peas offer a charming touch to the winter garden. Planting Sweet Peas in December, amidst the winter slumber, allows these climbing vines to establish strong roots, ensuring an early bloom that captivates the senses. Provide sturdy support and well-draining soil for these floral companions. The result is a cascade of pastel hues and a fragrance that delicately perfumes the winter air. Sweet Peas become not just flowers but aromatic whispers of love, adorning the garden with a romantic allure that defies the winter chill.
Hellebores:
In the quiet elegance of December, the garden welcomes the graceful presence of Hellebores, also known as Christmas or Lenten roses. These evergreen perennials bring an enchanting touch to the winter landscape with their exquisite, nodding flowers in shades of white, pink, and deep purple. Planting Hellebores in December is a strategic choice, allowing them to establish roots and prepare for a show of subtle beauty in the colder months. Select a shaded area with rich, well-draining soil, providing these winter gems the perfect conditions to thrive. Hellebores become the garden’s quiet harbingers, heralding the promise of floral elegance and adding a touch of grace to the winter garden.
Pansies:
As winter paints the garden in muted tones, Pansies emerge as vibrant brushstrokes, infusing a playful splash of color into the winter palette. Planting Pansies in December transforms the garden into a resilient canvas of blooms, braving the winter chill with their cheerful faces. These cold-hardy annuals thrive in well-draining soil and partial sunlight, making them the perfect winter companions. Whether nestled in borders, containers, or hanging baskets, Pansies offer an instant lift to the winter garden, adding a whimsical charm to the seasonal landscape. Pansies become not just flowers but lively ambassadors of color, enhancing the winter garden with their joyful presence.
Roses:
Roses in December become a testament to enduring beauty, a promise that the garden’s allure persists, transcending the winter frost. In the quietude of December, Roses unfurl their petals, proving that beauty can endure even in the coldest embrace of winter. Selecting hardy varieties suitable for winter climates, planting Roses in December establishes a robust foundation for these timeless beauties. With well-draining soil and thoughtful care, Roses become the garden’s everlasting symbols of elegance and romance. As the winter months unfold, these perennial favorites hint at the breathtaking blooms that will grace the garden in warmer seasons.
What Fruits to Plant in December:
Amidst winter’s slumber, envision the sweetness of summer with fruits planted in December. Raspberries and blueberries, chosen strategically, become the promise of future harvests—a taste of sunshine in the chill of winter.
Raspberries:
Amidst the winter chill, the prospect of cultivating your own juicy treasures beckons with the planting of Raspberries in December. These versatile berries, known for their sweet-tart flavor and vibrant hue, are a delightful addition to the winter garden. December marks the strategic moment to sow the seeds for a bountiful harvest in the seasons to come. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil for your raspberry patch, ensuring these delectable delights have the ideal conditions to thrive. Raspberries become the winter gardener’s promise, a commitment to future moments of indulgence as the garden transforms into a haven of succulent, homegrown berries.
Blueberries:
As winter blankets the garden, the dream of summer sweetness takes root with the planting of Blueberries in December. These antioxidant-rich berries, with their burst of flavor and vibrant color, offer a taste of sunshine even in the coldest months. December planting allows Blueberries to establish their roots, ensuring a fruitful yield when summer arrives. Opt for acidic, well-draining soil and a sunny spot to create the optimal environment for these delectable berries. Blueberries become not just a winter investment but a delicious anticipation of the warmer days ahead, promising a harvest of sweet, plump berries straight from your own garden.
