What to sow and grow in December

white flowers of Sarcococca confusa from Thompson & Morgan

Add scent to your garden in December with Sarcococca confusa
Image: Sarcococca confusa from Thompson & Morgan

There's plenty of jobs to keep you busy in the garden in December. As the year comes to a close, make the most of any dry, crisp winter days to keep things tidy and get a head start on jobs for spring.

These flowers, plants, fruit and veg are suitable for sowing and growing in the garden this month.

Plants and flowers to sow and grow

Antirrhinum majus 'Bronze Dragon' from Thompson & Morgan

Sow snapdragon seeds now for earlier summer blooms
Image: Antirrhinum majus 'Bronze Dragon' from Thompson & Morgan

In the greenhouse/indoors

Plants outdoors

Herbs and vegetables to sow and grow

green leaves of Basil 'British Basil' from Thompson & Morgan

Sow herbs on your windowsill for winter use
Image: Basil 'British Basil' from Thompson & Morgan

In the greenhouse/indoors

Direct sow outdoors

Plant outdoors

  • Plant rhubarb plants now in well-prepared soil. Add plenty of organic matter - they're hungry feeders!

Fruit to sow and grow

Ripe fruit berries of Blackberry ‘Loch Ness’ from Thompson & Morgan

Plant blackberries now for sweet summer harvests
Image: Blackberry 'Loch Ness' from Thompson & Morgan

  • Plant raspberry canes while they’re dormant. These will provide a tasty crop come summer or autumn, depending on the variety you choose. 
  • Plant other berry fruits like blackberries any time between now and the spring.
  • Plant strawberry plants now for a crop of sweet berries in the summer. Try ‘Just Add Cream’ for extra long cropping time and super sweet berries.
  • Plant blueberries this winter for an attractive addition to the fruit garden. With pretty white flowers, delicious berries and fiery autumn foliage, these acid loving plants provide constant interest. If your soil is too alkali, try growing your blueberries in containers with ericaceous compost.
  • Plant bare root gooseberries, like the heavy cropping ‘Invicta’, this month along with red, white and black currant plants.

Keep one step ahead - what to order this month

Hand planting seeds in soil

Get ahead this month by ordering seeds for early sowings
Image: Diyana Dimitrova/Shutterstock

    • Request a catalogue to browse next month while the jobs in the garden slow down. Make a list of all the flowers, fruit & vegetables you want to grow in the New Year, and get ordering!
    • Buy hardy broad bean varieties like ‘The Sutton’ to sow outdoors under cloches or in pots next month. 
    • Order show-grade onion seeds to start next month undercover. Try ‘Ailsa Craig’ for huge brown bulbs with good flavour. An early sowing will give your bulbs more time to swell.

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