Allotment & Gardening in December: Winter Care and Planning

December is a quiet month on the allotment and in the garden as winter settles in. Growth has slowed and the focus shifts from protecting what remains, preparing soil, and planning for the year ahead. Crisp mornings and frosty nights make this a good time to reflect on the season and get organised.

Protecting Your Garden/Allotment

• Cover tender plants: Use fleece, cloches, or cold frames to shield vegetables and herbs from frost.

• Mulch beds: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch to protect soil, conserve moisture, and reduce winter erosion.

• Check stored crops: Keep an eye on root vegetables, cabbages, and hardy greens stored in boxes or sheds to prevent rot.

Soil and Compost

• Composting: Add fallen leaves and spent plants to your compost heap. Cold winter conditions slow decomposition, but this will create rich compost for spring.

• Soil preparation: Clear debris from vegetable beds and consider sowing green manures in empty areas to improve soil fertility and structure.

What to Plant in December

Even in winter, there are a few hardy crops and bulbs that can be planted in protected or mild conditions:

• Garlic - plant before the soil freezes for a summer harvest.

• Broad beans - hardy varieties can be sown in cold frames or sheltered spots for an early spring crop.

• Winter lettuce and spinach - sow under cloches or in cold frames for fresh leaves through winter.

• Shallots - can be planted in mild areas for next summer.

• Spring-flowering bulbs - daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and hyacinths can still be planted if the ground is workable.

• Pansies and violas - for winter colour in milder areas or under protection.

Planning for Next Year

• Crop rotation: Review this year’s successes and failures and plan your rotation for the next season.

• Seed organisation: Check your seed collection, note what you want to sow next year, and order any new varieties.

• Garden design: Sketch ideas for raised beds, companion planting, and crop layout for spring.

Wildlife and Flowers

• Enjoy winter interest from plants like pansies, hellebores, and late-blooming shrubs.

• Leave seed heads for birds and small mammals; provide food and shelter for wildlife during the cold months.

Final Thought

December is a time of quiet preparation. By protecting plants, tending soil, and planning ahead, plus sowing a few hardy crops where possible - gardeners and allotment holders can make the most of the winter months and set themselves up for a productive growing season in the new year.

Here’s to a peaceful and productive December in the garden.