8 Best Vegetables to Grow in December

10/06/2024 Sav Taylor

Planting vegetables in December is a great way to keep yourself moving and busy during the winter months.

There are plenty of crops that can withstand the cold temperatures and even thrive in winter conditions, and they’re very easy to grow.

Whether you have a big garden or allotment or just a few raised planters on a balcony, we’ve got a list of 8 best vegetables that can be grown in December.

So, grab your gardening gloves, your trowel, and your woolly scarf and let’s get growing!

Popular Vegetables to Grow in December

The veggies you plant in December can be harvested in early spring, providing you with fresh and delicious produce when the rest of your garden is still waking up from its winter slumber.

These are the 8 vegetables we find ourselves planting every December…

1. Hardy Kale

Hardy Kale is a staple in many winter gardens, and for good reason. It can withstand cold temperatures and even snow, making it the perfect choice for planting in December.

Plus, its deep green leaves are packed with nutrients and can be used in various dishes such as salads, soups, and stir-fry recipes.

Expect your potted yields to generate a lot of vitamin-rich leaves that are perfect ingredients for soups, salads and stir-fries after about six to eight weeks.

Shelter your containers against heavy rain to prevent the soil from leeching nutrients. You could consider a cloche for this as they can provide protection while still allowing sunlight to reach the plants.

2. Weather Resilient Carrots

Sturdy Napoli, Amsterdam Forcing, and Purple Haze seed varieties can mature before the frost damages root formations.

Sow bi-weekly indoors from December through February to protect the young plants, and then transfer into dug garden beds with enriched compost mixed deeply. Water thoroughly until shoots appear, then space plants precisely as they start growing.

Sow seeds earlier indoors in planting trays first before taking them outside from January onwards, allowing developing tops enough time to establish themselves before being exposed to heavier frosts experienced as winter deepens.

Use deep containers like drainage-punctured bottomless buckets or rectangular boxes to allow straight taproot descents. Check your containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

Transfer young plants and space them 10-12cm apart to give them enough room to grow.

3. Nutrient-Rich Spinach

Spinach is a good veggie to grow in December as it can tolerate cooler temperatures. Not to mention, it’s a versatile and nutritious addition to any meal!

Spread seeds across trays indoors on heating mats first, then put them into polytunnel beds.

You want a spread of leaves rather than singular stems, so space specimens 2 inches apart, ideally in all directions. Allow most leaves to reach 5 inches in size before harvesting by twisting and pulling to avoid stem damage and slowing further production.

4. Poly Tunnel Radishes

Quick-growing radish selections are perfect for impatient winter gardeners! You’ll be able to see crisp bulbs ready for pulling just three weeks after your early plantings with the protection of your poly tunnel from December onwards.

Polytunnels and cold frames are ideal for shielding delicate crops against persistent chilling, biting winds or frosts. Position enclosed beds near south-facing walls to soak up sunlight, providing nurturing warmth.

5. Asian Greens

Trying lush Asian vegetables expands your winter repertoire beyond starchy roots. Noteworthy Pak Choi, Tatsoi or Mizuna thrive when started in December. They’ll typically be ready for harvesting around 45 days later.

The Best Garden Fleece Nets for Winter Gardening

You’ll need to protect these with garden fleece to keep them shielded against the sometimes harsh weather.

Our Horticultural Garden Fleece is perfect for this as it can be easily draped over your plants, creating a protective barrier while still allowing air and moisture to circulate.

You can purchase this net by the metre, allowing you to get the exact amount you need for your garden beds. Be sure to anchor it securely so it doesn't blow away or get damaged – we also stock pegs and net clips for this!

6. Ever-Ready Leeks

Leek seeds can be started indoors in December and then transplanted into your garden beds once they have germinated.

You should sow them around 8 inches apart, which should give them plenty of room to grow. It's also a good idea to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during their growing period.

Again, a plant fleece will be essential for when you move them outdoors to protect them from pests and harsh weather conditions.

7. Parsely & Chives

Beyond hardy vegetables, herbs flourish too! Curly-leaved parsley strains thrive inside partially sunny windowsills, while chives can line porch planters to give chefs easy access to tasty seasoning.

Though herbs play supporting roles in the kitchen, their cultivation proves marginally more straightforward than those vegetables discussed earlier. They allow kitchen gardeners to practice their green thumbs or younger gardeners to try gardening basics.

With little heat protection and shallow rooting depths (as long as they’re kept moist), both parsley and chives adapt to container confinement splendidly.

You can pretty much grow herbs on any windowsill, and you can grow plenty outside as long as the area is covered to keep the rain off!

8. Sweeter Sprouting Broccolis

Red Fire and White Sprouting broccoli varieties deliver a lot of rewards for December green thumbs, so attempt sprouting broccolis today!

Space each deep-rooted specimen generously at 24-30 inches apart to maximise per-plant productivity. A lot of beginners will clump their broccoli plants too close together and it’s not going to end well.

Apply balanced feed formulations to boost your bud-setting success rates. Shelter plants using garden fleece during plunging temperatures or storms.

Summary: Grow Tasty Veggies in December With WM James

Planting vegetables in December is a surefire way to lift your spirits and give you something to look forward to as the year comes to a close.

Use our list above and take note of our tips to ensure a successful harvest for your winter garden.

Don’t forget to grab your garden plant fleeces to keep your crops protected from the chilly weather! We have a super range of covers that will keep your veggies snug and happy through the winter months.

Shop Garden Fleece for Plants

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