December is the quietest month in the UK gardening calendar. Frost, short daylight hours, and cold soil significantly limit outdoor sowing. However, this does not mean the gardening year stops. Instead, December is a month focused on protection, overwintering crops, indoor sowing in controlled conditions, and planning ahead for the next growing season.
For serious gardeners, December is one of the most valuable months of all—not for what you grow immediately, but for what you prepare for the year ahead.
In this guide, we’ll cover exactly what to sow in December in the UK, plus the key winter gardening tasks that set you up for success in spring.
Quick Answer: What Can You Sow in December?
December sowing is minimal and usually restricted to protected environments.
December is mainly about protection and planning rather than active sowing.
Vegetables to Sow in December
Garlic
December is still a valid planting window for garlic in much of the UK, especially if conditions are not frozen or waterlogged.
Benefits:
- Strong root establishment before spring
- Larger bulbs at harvest
- Reliable, low-maintenance crop
Tip: Avoid planting into frozen or saturated soil.
Broad Beans (Mild Regions Only)
In sheltered southern areas, extremely hardy varieties can still be sown.
Recommended varieties:
- Aquadulce Claudia
- The Sutton
These overwinter and produce early spring harvests.
Winter Lettuce (Protected)
Outdoor sowing is not viable, but winter lettuce can still be grown under cover.
Best varieties:
- Winter Density
- Arctic King
- Valdor
Grow in:
- Greenhouses
- Cold frames
- Cloches
Lamb’s Lettuce (Corn Salad)
One of the most reliable winter salad crops.
- Very cold hardy
- Slow growth but steady harvests
- Excellent for fresh winter salads
Spinach (Under Protection)
Spinach can still be sown indoors or under cover for overwintering growth.
Rocket
Rocket remains a viable winter crop under protection.
- Fast germination
- Continues growing in cool conditions
- Best protected from heavy frost
Herbs to Sow in December
Parsley
Parsley can be sown indoors or in a heated greenhouse.
- Slow germination
- Hardy once established
- Useful for winter cooking
Chives
Chives can be grown indoors year-round on a sunny windowsill, providing fresh snips.
Micro Herbs and Sprouting Seeds
December is ideal for indoor growing projects:
- Cress
- Mustard
- Broccoli sprouts
- Radish sprouts
These offer fast, nutritious harvests with minimal effort, perfect for brightening winter meals.
What Can Be Planted Outdoors in December?
Outdoor planting is extremely limited, but in mild or dry conditions you may still plant:
- Garlic (if not already done)
- Bare-root fruit trees and bushes (weather permitting, once dormant)
- Bare-root shrubs
- Dormant perennial plants
Avoid planting into frozen or waterlogged soil, as this can lead to root rot and failure.
MyGrowPal helps you plan for winter resilience. Set your UK postcode and the app reminds you of ideal planting times for hardy crops like garlic, and when to apply protective measures like fleece or cloches against the coming frosts.
December Gardening Jobs
Protect Your Soil
One of the most important winter tasks is protecting bare soil. Cover beds with a thick layer of mulch (compost, leaf mould) to prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and retain nutrients.
Maintain Protection Structures
Check and repair your greenhouses, cold frames, and cloches. Ensure they are clean and securely fastened to withstand winter winds and heavy snow, providing optimal protection for overwintering crops.
Clean and Organise Tools
December is ideal for thorough tool maintenance. Clean off all soil, sharpen blades, oil moving parts, repair broken handles, and organise your storage area. This ensures they're ready for spring.
Review the Growing Year
Reflect on your past growing season. What worked well? What failed? Note down pest and disease issues, crop performance, and any lessons learned to inform your plans for next year.
Plan Next Year’s Garden
December is arguably the best planning month. Start outlining your crop rotation, designing new bed layouts, researching new varieties, and ordering seeds for early spring sowings. A well-planned garden is a productive garden!
Common December Sowing Mistakes
Trying to Force Growth Outdoors
Outdoor sowing is generally unsuccessful in December due to critically low temperatures and minimal daylight. Focus on hardy, protected, or indoor options instead.
Ignoring Soil Conditions
Planting into frozen or waterlogged soil is a recipe for disaster. Seeds will rot, and plants will fail to establish. Always wait for suitable, workable soil conditions.
Forgetting Indoor Growing Options
Many gardeners overlook the joy of microgreens, sprouting seeds, and indoor herbs. These offer fresh, nutritious produce and a vital green fix during the bleakest months.
Not Planning Ahead
December is a key strategic month for the entire next growing season. Failing to plan now can lead to missed opportunities and a chaotic start in spring. Use this quiet time wisely!
Using MyGrowPal to Plan December Sowing
December is less about planting and more about preparation, reflection and planning. This makes organisation especially important.
MyGrowPal helps gardeners turn their winter downtime into productive planning time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December too late to grow vegetables in the UK?
Not entirely, but options are limited to hardy and mostly protected or indoor crops.
What can I realistically sow in December?
Lamb’s lettuce, winter lettuce (under cover), microgreens, herbs and garlic (if conditions allow) are the most realistic options.
Can I plant garlic in December?
Yes, as long as the soil is not frozen or waterlogged, December is still a suitable time for planting garlic.
What flowers can I sow in December?
Very few outdoors, but you can plan for sweet peas and other spring flowers. Indoor microgreens can also add some cheer.
What should I focus on in December gardening?
Focus on protection for overwintering plants, general garden maintenance, and crucial planning and preparation for the next growing season.
Final Thoughts
December marks the true resting point of the UK gardening year, but it is also one of the most important months for planning future success. While outdoor growth slows to a halt, indoor growing, garden maintenance and strategic planning all come into focus.
Gardeners who use December effectively often start the next season far more organised and productive.
And with MyGrowPal, you can keep your entire garden system running through winter—tracking seeds, managing winter crops, planning rotations and preparing your garden for the next season so you’re ready the moment the season begins again.