December in the garden

December might feel like the garden has gone to sleep, but there’s still plenty to enjoy. A bit of gentle tidying, some planning for next year, and a few harvests from hardy crops will keep your green fingers busy.
This is the month to slow down, protect what you’ve grown, and make sure everything is ready for the year ahead. There’s time for seed lists, tool care and a good look around to see what worked well this season.
You can find sowing ideas and reminders in the Easy Seed Planner.

🥕 Vegetable Highlights

Sow under cover (cloches, cold frame or unheated greenhouse): winter lettuce, oriental greens, and salad leaves such as rocket and mustard.
Sow indoors (warm windowsill): microgreens and herbs like basil or coriander for a splash of freshness through winter.
Plant out: garlic and overwintering onions if the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
Top Tip: use cloches or fleece to protect any winter brassicas and salads from cold winds and hungry pigeons.

Veggie jobs this December…
• Harvest leeks, parsnips and Brussels sprouts as needed.
• Keep checking stored crops – remove anything that’s starting to soften.
• Clear the last of the fallen leaves from vegetable beds.
• Firm in tall brassicas that may have loosened in the wind.
• Check fleece, netting and cloches are still secure.
• Add compost or well-rotted manure to empty beds if the ground isn’t frozen.
• Take time to plan next year’s crop rotation and make a note of what’s worked well this season.

🪴 Herby Highlights & Things to Do

• Harvest small amounts of sage, rosemary, thyme and parsley for winter cooking.
• Move pots of tender herbs (like bay) close to the house or under shelter if you haven’t already.
• Check for slug and snail hideouts around containers and in the greenhouse.
• If you’re short of fresh herbs, sow a small tray of parsley or coriander on a bright windowsill.
• Use any old herb stems and trimmings to flavour winter stews and soups.

🌻 December Flower Power

• Protect pots of spring bulbs from waterlogging by raising them slightly off the ground.
• Keep an eye on newly planted bulbs – cover with fleece or cloches if a hard frost is forecast.
• Tidy fallen leaves off borders, but leave some piles in quiet corners for wildlife.
• Bring in a few evergreen sprigs or seed heads to brighten the house.
• Check that containers and hanging baskets are draining well and not sitting in puddles.
• In milder areas, you can still sow sweet peas under cover.

 🍓Fruity Actions

• Continue planting bare-root fruit trees, bushes and canes in mild spells.
• Prune apple and pear trees while they’re dormant.
• Check tree stakes and ties after strong winds.
• Mulch around fruit bushes with compost or leaf mould if you didn’t get to it last month.
• Clear away any fallen leaves or mummified fruit to reduce pests and disease next year.
• Clean tools and secateurs after pruning to keep them sharp and rust-free.

🧹 General Bits and Bobs

• Keep paths, steps and greenhouse entrances clear of wet leaves and moss.
• Ventilate greenhouses on dry, mild days to prevent damp and mould.
• Sweep up fallen leaves and add them to the leaf mould pile.
• Top up bird feeders and keep a dish of unfrozen water available.
• Start collecting cardboard and newspapers ready for mulching and seed-starting in spring.
• Take a quiet moment to walk around your plot – it’s a good time to spot structure, gaps and changes for next year.

🧰 Tools, Pots and Prep

December is a natural pause in the gardening year – the perfect time to look after your tools and get organised for spring.
• Clean, sharpen and oil secateurs, shears and spades before storing them.
• Wash out pots, trays and labels, and stack them where you can find them easily next season.
• Sort through any saved seed packets – discard anything damp or out of date.
• Check you’ve got enough compost, seed trays and labels ready for sowing time.
• Repair or replace damaged canes, ties and netting.
• Give your shed or greenhouse a quick tidy – it’ll make those first spring jobs much easier.
A bit of care now means everything will be ready when the days lengthen and sowing begins again.

🍂 December is a month for care and quiet progress.

Take it steady, enjoy what’s still growing and give your garden (and yourself) a gentle rest. A few small jobs now will make spring feel effortless when it arrives. Check the Easy Seed Planner and our December Offers for ideas to keep your garden flourishing all year round.