What to Plant in December: Winter Vegetables and Flowers for a Thriving Garden

Is your garden ready to flourish, even when the days grow short and the air turns crisp? Winter offers more opportunities than many realize. By choosing the right plants and following expert practices, you can keep your garden productive and vibrant all season.

Cold-Hardy Vegetables to Plant in December

Certain vegetables show impressive resilience in chilly climates and take advantage of the cool soil conditions of December. Consider planting these varieties to ensure a continuous harvest:

• Carrots: These roots appreciate the cold, developing sweeter flavors as temperatures dip. Sow seeds in loose, well-drained soil. Either in the ground or under the protection of a cold frame.
• Spinach: This leafy green thrives in winter. Sow directly outdoors if the ground remains workable, protecting young seedlings with fleece or row covers to shield from hard frosts.
• Onions: Winter onion sets, or overwintering varieties, root deeply and establish themselves before hard freezes. Planted in December, they’ll resume growth once warmer days return.
• Beets: Quick to germinate in mild spells, beets can be sown outdoors beneath a cold frame or under cover in a greenhouse. The cold encourages sweeter roots and vibrant greens.
• Rhubarb Crowns: Early planting allows rhubarb to establish, rewarding you with vivid stalks in spring. Plant dormant crowns in well-composted soil for the best results.

Many gardeners have found that mizuna, chard, and savoy cabbages also cope well with cold snaps and deliver harvests throughout winter. If you have a protected spot. Like a greenhouse, polytunnel, or windowsill. You can sow radishes and herbs for fresh flavor close to your kitchen.

Winter-Flourishing Flowers and Bulbs

While the growing season slows, many flowers stand ready to provide color and life. December presents the perfect time to tuck bulbs and winter-hardy blooms into your beds or pots:

• Tulips: Cold periods are essential for their development. Planting bulbs now ensures a dazzling display when spring arrives.
• Snowdrops and Narcissi: These petite blooms defy frost, pushing through the soil in late winter. Place bulbs in clusters beneath trees or along walkways for the biggest impact.
• Winter Heath (Erica carnea): A reliable winter-bloomer, it offers clusters of pink or white flowers above evergreen foliage, lighting up the garden in the coldest months.
• Hellebores: Sometimes called the Rose of Winter, hellebores boast durable, leathery foliage and delicate blooms from late December through early spring.
• Heuchera: Attractive leaves persist through winter and provide valuable groundcover. Flowers emerge early and complement bulbs beautifully.

While winter pansies, violas, and primroses can be started in containers under shelter, transplant these to outdoor beds on mild days. The right timing rewards you with blooms just when you crave color most.

Extending Your Growing Season: Greenhouses, Cold Frames, and More

Harnessing structures designed to shield your plants from the cold transforms your winter gardening outlook. Greenhouses and cold frames capture solar warmth and moderate nighttime temperatures. This allows you to:

• Grow leafy greens and hardy salads even during frost-prone weeks
• Start seeds for spring crops, giving them a head start
• Shelter tender seedlings and overwinter certain perennials

Cold frames. Simple boxes with transparent lids. Help transition plants from indoors to the garden, protect young starts, and extend the harvest of autumn-sown crops. Place dark-colored stones or water-filled jugs inside to absorb heat during the day and release it at night, boosting frost protection.

High tunnels, row covers, and cloches also offer cost-effective solutions for shielding crops. Sunny windowsills act as mini-greenhouses, fostering microgreens, leafy greens, and tender herbs right in your kitchen.

Indoor Herb Gardening for Flavor All Winter

Short days needn’t put a pause on homegrown flavors. Many gardeners turn to their sunniest windows or set up grow lights to keep culinary herbs at hand:

• Chives: Persistently green and productive when provided a bit of light and regular moisture.
• Oregano, Parsley, and Mint: These thrive in small pots as long as temperatures stay above 65°F during the day. Stagger sowings of annual types for a continuous fresh supply.
• Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage: Overwintering these perennials indoors is a rewarding project. Give them well-drained soil and occasional deep waterings.

Avoid overwatering. Herbs generally dislike soggy roots. Rotate pots regularly to keep stems strong and straight. A winter garden on your windowsill delivers both beauty and flavor, even as outdoor beds rest.

December Gardening Checklist: Key Tasks for Winter Success

Following comprehensive winter gardening trends sets the stage for spring abundance. While planting is a highlight, several foundational tasks keep your garden robust:

• Soil Preparation: Dig in well-rotted compost or leaf mold to improve drainage and texture. Mulch beds to insulate roots and prevent nutrient loss.
• Watering: Monitor soil moisture carefully. Even in cooler weather, wind and sun can dry out beds. Deep-soak evergreens and winter-active vegetables, especially if rainfall is scarce.
• Protecting Plants: Use covers or windbreaks to shield vulnerable crops from freezing winds. Tie up the limbs of columnar evergreens to prevent breakage after heavy snow or ice.
• Pruning and Clean-Up: Remove spent annuals and diseased foliage, but leave ornamental grasses and healthy perennial stems for habitat. Now is also when to tidy up greenhouse glass and clear gutters of leaves.
• Early Planning: Sketch out next season’s rotations and seed orders so you’re ready to move quickly once spring arrives. Prepare seed trays and check indoor setups for pests before starting seeds.

Incorporating cold-weather crop strategies and sustainable winter practices supports plant health, soil resilience, and the vibrant productivity of gardens large and small.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vegetables can I plant outdoors in December?

Many root vegetables and leafy greens such as carrots, spinach, and beets can be sown directly into the soil if your ground isn’t frozen. Using cold frames and row covers gives extra protection and helps your crops thrive.

Which flowers bloom or can be planted in winter?

Tulip bulbs, snowdrops, winter heath, and hellebores are top choices for planting during December. These hardy plants withstand cold spells, ensuring winter color and a beautiful start to spring.

How do I maintain my garden during the winter months?

Focus on mulch, regular watering, and monitoring for pests or disease. Deeply water plants every six to eight weeks if rainfall is lacking, and remove dead or diseased growth to keep your garden healthy.

What are effective ways to grow herbs indoors in winter?

Herbs such as parsley, oregano, mint, chives, and rosemary perform well in pots on sunny windowsills. Keep soil slightly moist, avoid cold drafts, and rotate containers for even growth.

How can I extend my outdoor growing season through winter?

Structures like greenhouses, cold frames, and row covers trap warmth and shield young plants from frost, allowing for year-round growing or an earlier spring harvest.

Every December, the garden’s rhythm shifts, but the opportunities never truly stop. Whether tucking bulbs into chilly earth, coaxing herbs to thrive on a bright indoor sill, or tending rows beneath a cold-frame’s protection, there’s always a new way to nurture your landscape. A bit of planning now delivers rewards as winter wanes and spring quietly approaches.

Step outside and plant something this December. Bring color, flavor, and life to the quiet season. And lay the groundwork for your most productive spring ever.