What to Sow and Grow in DECEMBER
As December deepens, the garden enters a quieter phase, with most plants resting or dormant for the winter. The colder weather and shorter days slow down growth, but some work can still be done to prepare for the 2025 season. Whether tending to plants in your polytunnel/glasshouse or getting ready for early spring crops, December is a time to plan, tidy, and make sure everything is prepared for the new growing season.
Now is the perfect time to think about your spring and summer planting if you have not already. Garlic and onions should be planted before the shortest day of the year. We always save the best of our garlic harvest to replant, ensuring a good supply for next year. We sow some onion seeds in autumn to plant out as an overwintering crop. We also buy a few organic onion sets from our favourite organic supplier, Fruit Hill Farm. If you are buying blubs in your local garden centre, just be careful not to bring any diseases or pests into your garden.
With the mild weather over the last few weeks, winter greens are growing well, just enough for our table and a few bunches for the Honesty Farm Shop. Clearing fallen leaves, turning compost, and preparing beds for the winter will all help make next year’s gardening easier - what we keep saying to ourselves when outside in the cold! It’s also the time for reflecting on the past year—what worked well, what didn’t, and what new ideas to try next season.
Here’s our list for December:
Mulch garden beds: Apply a thick layer of compost or mulch to protect the soil and add organic matter for the next season.
Finish planting garlic and onions. It is said to plant before the shortest day but we have planted over Christmas - it depends on the weather if the ground is waterlogged or frozen. Best to plant when it is mild.
Sow spring crops indoors: For an early start, start sowing early spring crops like peas, broad beans, and sweet peas indoors.
Plant spring bulbs: time is disappearing to plant bulbs for a burst of spring colour—daffodils, crocuses, and tulips are all great options.
Check your tools: Clean and sharpen your gardening tools to ensure they’re ready for the growing season.
Clean your pots: We clean a few here and there, so it will not be a big chore in 2025.
Gather leaves and twigs: Collect fallen leaves and twigs for composting or mulching, and avoid leaving them on beds where they might harbour pests.
Reflect on the past year: Take time to think about what grew well in your garden and, most importantly, what tasted the best. Jot down any ideas or changes you’d like to try next year.
Plan your next season’s garden: Look at your crop rotation plans and garden diary to decide what to plant where in the coming year. Think about new crops to try and areas to improve.
Check your seed supplies: Take stock of your seed collection and make a list of what you’ll need to order for spring. We always smile when the Irish Seed Savers and Brown Envelope Seeds catalogue come in the post in December.