December Vegetables & Herbs Calendar

Go to:-  Main Calendars Page  |  December Fruit Calendar

General

Continue preparing ground and digging beds ready for next season if the ground is still workable. It's best to do most of the digging during dry spells and before any heavy frosts set it.

After digging vacant ground can be covered with black polythene to stop  weeds growing

Harvesting & Storing Vegetables in December  

Continue harvesting Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbages, celeriac, celery, chard, endive, kale, leeks, parsnips, turnips,  winter lettuce, winter spinach, turnips

Lift and store any remaining carrots and swede

Sowing & Planting Vegetables & Herbs in December

In mild regions sow overwintering broad beans where they are to grow

Sow early peas for early crops next May

Sow winter salad leaves under protection

Rhubarb - see Fruit Calendar

Care and Protecting Vegetables & Herbs in December

Cut back the growth on chicory plants and cover with a black plastic container to force white stalks to sprout.

Protect newly sown and planted crops from pigeons with netting

Keep an eye out for caterpillars on brassicas and pick them off by hand.

Remove all plant debris from the vegetable patch or allotment, to reduce the spread of disease and pests

Remove yellowing leaves on Brussels sprouts to prevent grey mould

Stake, earth up and firm soil around roots of Brussels sprouts

Cover any celery left in the ground with a thick layer of straw to protect from frost

Burn all leaves and plants which look as though they may be diseased

Planning and Buying Vegetables in December

Order Seed Catalogues

Plan new Vegetable plots and herbs beds for next year

Order Seed Potatoes

Order Onion and Shallot Sets

See Individual growing pages