What to Plant in December

Embracing Winter Gardening – The December Planting Guide

As the chill of December sets in, it’s easy to assume that the gardening season has drawn to a close. Yet, this is far from true. December offers a magical time for gardeners, presenting unique opportunities to plant and prepare for both immediate and future harvests. This blog post delves into a range of plants suitable for December planting, tailored to various climate zones.

Understanding Your Climate

The first step is recognizing the climate zone you’re in. December in a temperate zone is vastly different from December in tropical, desert, or colder areas. Your plant choices should align with your region’s specific winter conditions.

Vegetables for Cooler Climates

For gardeners in cooler regions, December is ideal for sowing hardy vegetables. Key choices include:

• Garlic: Plant now for a summer harvest.
• Broad Beans and Peas: These legumes are robust enough to endure frost.
• Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard can survive mild frosts and provide early spring greens.
• Onions and Shallots: Overwintering these will result in early summer yields.

Options for Warmer Regions

In warmer climates, December gardening can be more diverse:

• Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, and radishes are still good to plant.
• Herbs: Cilantro, dill, and parsley do well in cooler, frost-free temperatures.
• Leafy Greens: Continue growing lettuce, spinach, and arugula.
• Citrus Trees: Plant these in frost-free areas for a bountiful yield.

Flowers and Ornamentals

Don’t overlook flowers in your December garden:

• Pansies and Violas: Hardy enough to bloom in winter or early spring despite frost.
• Bulbs: Plant tulips and daffodils for spring flowering.
• Evergreens and Winter Shrubs: Add color with holly, winter jasmine, or witch hazel.

Indoor Planting

Indoor gardening is a great option in December:

• Microgreens: These grow quickly on sunny windowsills.
• Herbs: Many can be grown indoors over winter.
• Potted Plants: Start these indoors to move outside in spring.

Preparing for Spring

December is also a time for garden preparation:

• Composting: Keep up with your compost heap.
• Mulching: Protect perennials with mulch.
• Planning: Begin outlining next year’s garden.

Climate Zones and Specific Planting Tips

Understanding climate zones is crucial for successful December gardening. Here are some zone-specific tips:

• Zone 3-5: Focus on protective measures like mulching and consider indoor planting.
• Zone 6-8: Hardy vegetables and some flowers can still be planted outdoors.
• Zone 9-11: Take advantage of the milder climate to plant a wider variety of vegetables and flowers.

Embracing the Season

Enjoy the unique beauty of your garden in December. The frost on leaves, the quiet, and the anticipation of spring make winter gardening a special experience.

Conclusion

December gardening offers a blend of immediate planting opportunities and preparation for the coming seasons. Whether planting garlic for summer harvest, enjoying winter blooms, or planning next year’s garden, there’s something deeply rewarding about gardening during this festive month. So, embrace the season and enjoy the unique joys of December gardening!