December arrives with cold weather, fewer hours of daylight, and its own particular pause in the gardenBut that doesn't mean there's nothing to do. In fact, it's a perfect month to protect crops, organize planting areas, start seedlings in sheltered locations, and pamper the plants typical of this time of year, from poinsettias to... berriesAlthough the pace is slowing down, some sowing and transplanting can continue if we understand the... times, the climate of each area and adequate protection.
If you're wondering what to sow or plant during the Christmas season, here's a... planting and task calendar designed for urban gardens, patios, terraces and indoors, including seasonal plants such as ornamental dwarf tomatoYou will find options for leafy vegetables, root vegetables, winter legumes, aromatic herbs, and beneficial plants. bare-root fruit trees and lawn and indoor care, plus key advice on mulching, drip irrigation, frost protection nets and spring planning.
What to sow and plant in December in urban gardens and pots
At this time of year, the soil is usually cold, which complicates germination and plant development. Therefore, if you are going to transplant, Use a lightweight greenhouse or thermal blanket to give the seedlings extra protection. Winter vegetables withstand the cold well once established, but new seedlings, without protection, struggle. In direct sowing, germination will depend on... Don't let the temperatures drop too much.
leafy vegetables
Endive is a safe bet in cold climates: It keeps better than many lettuces. And it offers sweeter varieties than we usually find in stores. Cabbage (cowrie shell, Chinese cabbage, Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, savoy cabbage, kale) tastes better in the cold, so go for it. You can also continue with Swiss chard, celery, borage, spinach and arugulaadjusting the sowing to protected seedbeds or transplanting on frost-free days.
Root vegetables
This month is the peak time for garlic, whether you're looking for spring garlic or bulbs for June. If you live in a very cold area, prepare onion (late or short cycle) and leek seedbeds to transplant in late winter, once the risk of frost has passed. If you ran out of seed onions for calçots, you can try burying any onion and hilling it up as it grows: It will sprout again and you will get spring onions, an interesting experience even as an experiment.
Shallots, related to garlic and onions, are ideal for growing in pots. You can get four or five shallots from one long bulb, and their flavor is wonderful in stews. Furthermore, although turnips, radishes, beets and carrots They germinate and grow worse in the cold, don't despair: it's normal; with patience, they will pull through.
Flowering and fruiting vegetables
We're already too late for cauliflower and broccoli: at this time of year they tend to form small heads. However, in temperate zones you can continue with broad beans, peas (dwarf and climbing), snow peas and ice peasEven lentils can be planted if the weather is favorable. In colder areas, it's best to wait until late winter to ensure more stable germination.
Aromatic plants, auxiliary flora, green manures and red fruits
Among the aromatic and medicinal plants, you can plant catnip, parsley (flat and curly), chervil and thymeand auxiliary flora such as ruscus aculeatusTo attract pollinators and allies, sow beneficial flora such as alder, borage, calendula, nasturtium, lobelia, pansy, and viola. They work very well in green manures. broad bean, vetch, fenugreek and white mustardwhich improve the soil. And December is still a good time to transplant berries: blueberries (blue and red), raspberries (red and yellow), goji berries, currants, and blackberries. It's normal for it to look like you're planting "sticks": Many lose their leaves in the coldBut they're still alive. Mulch with pine bark and, if you're worried about hard frosts, add a thermal fleece. With strawberries, leave the rooted runners exposed to accumulate cold; in late winter you can Select them and transplant bare-root..
Essential gardening tasks in December
The month is quiet: everything grows slowly, there are hardly any pests, and you have time to... fine-tuning tools and organizing products (fertilizers, plant protection products). Plan what you will grow in spring and summer based on your pots and planters, and start looking for supplies. varieties or seeds for exchangeBuying little by little spreads out the expense and catches you in March with everything ready.
It is worth remembering the vegetative rest: with cold weather, most crops slow their growthBerry bushes and some fruit trees are practically dormant. It's not a problem with your garden; it's just the natural cycle. And hey, you also want to spend less time outside when it's freezing, so take it easy.
If you're excited to take advantage of the holidays, use your letter to the Three Kings or Santa Claus to ask for what you want. You always postponeFrom a drip irrigation system, extra pots, or quality worm castings, to specific seeds. And a practical tip: mention it out loud in conversations these days; it helps the message get across.
In terms of care, prioritize protection against frost: greenhouses, frost netting and thermal blankets They are your best allies. Mulch the roots well (with straw or bark) to prevent them from freezing. If you use tunnels, ventilate them to prevent frost. nighttime condensationFor seedbeds, opt for heated beds or germinators. And take care of the surrounding biodiversity with bird feeders and insect hotels: they help more than you think.
December is an optimal time to renew nutrients: before the soil becomes compacted by frost, Dig up and add worm castings (slow release) so the soil is rich by spring. And don't forget to plan crop rotation to avoid substrate depletion and pests.
Specific crops recommended for December
Red onion from Zalla
It handles very well if You start in a protected seedbed until it grows large enough. Then plant it in a substrate rich in organic matter and water sparingly, allowing the substrate to dry out between waterings to prevent rot.
Woman
Ideal at the beginning of winter, when the soil temperature is at least 8°C. It requires suitable soil. loose, airy and fertileLeave about 25 cm between plants to prevent fungal growth. When direct sowing, place the clove vertically at a depth equivalent to twice its size; in cold weather, it will hardly need watering. Harvesting usually takes place... June July.
Eggplant (in a warm seedbed)
It loves warmth and light. It germinates seeds in a heated spreader Transplant it when the seedling has at least four leaves. Place it in direct sunlight and provide it with a substrate rich in worm castings, as it is demanding in nutrients.
'Detroit' Beetroot
Hardy and undemanding. Sow broadcast, thin out leaving about 20 cm It thrives in a variety of plants and maintains stable temperatures around 10°C for reliable germination. It's a good choice if you want results without too much hassle.
'Tres Cantos' tomato and early varieties
There are varieties that allow sowing seeds in the middle of winter, always with stable temperature close to 15 ºC and protection. Transplant when they have four true leaves and don't risk them with nighttime descents: keep them in a greenhouse until there's no risk. Consider the space the transplanted plants will take up at home and ask yourself: will you have free pots and suitable conditions to keep them until March, April or MayIf you can, go for it; if not, January-March is a great window. Other early options are also possible, such as Ox Heartprovided you have the means.
Broad beans
It is a winter and spring crop. It prefers slightly clayey soils, with lime and good source of humusWater frequently, but don't overdo it. You can sow seeds at a spacing of 15×30 or 40×60 cm. Useful tip: soak the seeds for 24 hours beforehand, and when the plant has 10–12 podsPinch the shoot to encourage filling. In about two and a half months you'll be harvesting.
Practical calendar for the urban garden in December
If you work with tunnels or padding, Ventilate to dissipate moisture which accumulates overnight. Delicate seedlings will appreciate the warmth. It's time for direct sowing of garlic in the sunMaintaining their verticality and adequate depth, and broad beans if your climate isn't too cold. Culinary herbs can be trimmed and, if you like, new ones planted so that take root and sprout with strength in spring.
Transplant seedlings of winter lettuce, chard, endive, spinach, and cabbage. If there is a risk of frost, protect them with small tunnels. frost netting or strawIt's a magnificent time to plant bare-root fruit trees and continue harvesting persimmons, mandarins, and, in some varieties, oranges. It's also the time to short-day onions and to provide compost that, in addition to nourishing, will act as mulch.
Garden, terrace and lawn in December
To add color to the exterior, opt for biennials like pansies and Primula acaulisIn mild regions, some poinsettias can be kept outdoors, sheltered from frost. Prune the above-ground parts of perennials and divide clumps as needed. Mulch the beds with 5–10 cm of bark or straw. protect the rootsFor bare-root trees and shrubs, stake them, water after planting, and watch the winds.
If you have a fir tree planted and you decorate it, always use watertight electrical installationFor delicate palm trees, collect the leaves and wrap them with reed matting to protect them from the cold. Check out trellised climbing plantsUntie, prune if necessary, and retie, avoiding strangulation due to thickening. In ponds, if frost threatens, protect aquatic plants in a container of waterWater only as needed and, if possible, in the morning; the most delicate plants are best kept indoors with good light.
December is ideal for combating pine processionary, now visible in their nests. On already planted bulbs, it aerates the top layer and removes weeds. An organic amendment improves soil structure and fertility, useful for vegetable gardens, lawns, and ornamental plants.
On lawns, reduce watering and prevent them from being wet at night, since the Cold and damp conditions favor BotrytisAvoid walking on it if it's soaked or waterlogged. Space out your mowing and make it high to protect the roots. Fertilize sparingly, prioritizing potassium every few waterings, and remove fallen leaves to keep the ground clean.
Indoor plants in December: the Poinsettia and key care tips
The poinsettia is the star of Christmas. Give it a try! Plenty of light, moderate watering Always empty the saucer or pot cover to avoid overwatering. Beware of Botrytis: cold and humidity favor it. At night, keep the leaves away from cold glass to prevent scorching, and keep plants away from radiators, increasing the humidity if the heating is on.
Water sparingly. When ventilating, keep an eye on those near windows. If any need repotting and you haven't gotten around to it, postpone it until springAvoid leaving flowerpots on saucers of water and remember that when you turn off the heating to sleep, they also "shiver"; look for bright locations without drafts.
If you get ahead of the game: what to plant in November
November arrives with autumn firmly in place, less daylight, and lower temperatures. Even so, successful planting is possible if you adjust your expectations: growth is slower than in springIt's a good time to prepare the soil (less watering and fertilizing, final pruning and weed removal), protect fragile plants in sheltered locations or plastic sheeting, and plan sowing and transplanting using small greenhouses. However, avoid crops that require a lot of sun.
Vegetable garden in November: vegetables and herbs
- Chard: direct sowing; approximate harvest in 2 months.
- Garlic: bulb planting; 3/4 month cycle.
- Borage: direct sowing; about 2 months until harvest.
- Late onion: sown in bulb; 5/6 months.
- Endive: seedbed and transplant; 40/50 days.
- Spinach: direct sowing or seedbed; 3/4 months.
- Peas: direct sowing; 4/5 months.
- Broad beans: direct sowing; 4/5 months.
- Kale: in training; 3/4 months.
- Lettuce: seedbed or nursery; 2/4 months.
- Radishes: direct sowing; 4/5 weeks.
- Beetroot: direct sowing; 3/4 months.
- Arugula: direct sowing; about 6 weeks.
- Carrot: direct sowing; 3/4 months.
In aromatic plants, you can plant chives, oregano, basil, mint, rosemary, thyme and sageThe seeds will be protected underground and, with some patience, you'll have wonderful crops.
Garden in November
It's a great month for bare-root roses and transplants. For seasonal flowers, try... wallflower, calendula, nasturtium, cineraria, daisy, miniature daisy, pansies, primroses, primroses, ranunculus and calceolariasAnd don't forget to plant spring-flowering bulbs.
Lawn in November
- Remove fallen leaves regularly.
- Keep the mowing at 5–7 cm in height.
- Water just enough to maintain humidity until the frost arrives.
- Scarify to aerate the surface layer.
- Apply a suitable fertilizer.
- Reseed the bare patches.
Quick fact sheets and a comprehensive planting and harvesting calendar
For indoor seedbeds, keep in mind this basic guide: sow at the beginning of spring (indoors, year-round if conditions are maintained); germination temperature between 15–18 ºC; germination in 10–15 days; moderate watering, allowing the substrate to dry between waterings; final pot from 10 cm in diameter; exposure to full sun or semi-shade, and flowering in summer-autumn in many seasonal ornamental species.
If you want an annual reference for your vegetable garden, here is a summarized calendar for planting and harvesting common vegetables: Eggplants (sowing February/March; harvesting July/October), lettuce (plant February/October; harvest in 3 months), potatoes (planting February/May; harvesting June/September), peppers (sowing February/April; harvesting after 5 months), leeks (sowing February/July; 4/5 months), tomatoes (sowing February/May; 5 months), chard (planting March/October; year-round production), celery (sowing March/June; harvesting October/February), courgettes (sowing March/April; 3 months), endives (sowing March/October; 3 months), cucumbers (sowing March/June; 3/4 months), carrots (sowing March/October; 4 months), Jewish (sowing April/July; 3/4 months), melons (sowing April/May; 4 months), watermelons (sowing April/May; 4 months), cabbage (sowing April/November; 5 months), broccoli (sowing May/August; 5 months), cauliflowers (sowing May/September; 5/6 months), onions (sowing August/March; 9 months), spinach (sowing August/February; 3 months), lima beans (planting September/November; 4 months), garlic (planting October/January; harvesting June/July), green peas (sowing October/February; 4 months) and radishes (Sow year-round; 1–2 months). At any garden center you will find raised beds, substrates, seeds and seedlings to easily set up your urban garden.
Crop rotation and typical winter improvements
If the vegetable garden slows down, take advantage of the opportunity to make "renovations": plan the rotation in beds or containers To avoid repeating botanical families in the same location, install or check the drip irrigation system, bring seed trays and containers into the greenhouse, and confirm that the The heating works If you use it. In some orchards, the grapes are harvested in bags for Christmas: they can be preserved by hanging the bunches by the stem, cleaning them of damaged berries so that they do not spoil the rest.
For those who prefer to have everything organized, there are downloadable PDF planting calendars that help you visualize the year. Organizing now saves you from rushing in springAnd it will allow you to enjoy this time of year more. Even though the garden and vegetable patch will be quieter, there's always something useful to do without getting cold, and that's a plus too.
Anyone who views December as a stagnant month misses out on its good side: protect, plan, fertilize wisely and choose what to plant It makes all the difference when the warm weather returns. Among garlic, broad beans, endive, and red berries, the poinsettia at home and a cushioned terrace now safe from frost, create a peaceful winter that leaves everything ready for spring to arrive in full force.
