While the vegetable garden may seem dormant in winter, there's still plenty to do! From sowing seeds for early spring harvests to harvesting winter crops, December offers opportunities to keep your garden productive. Let's explore what you can do in your vegetable garden this month.
Winter Gardening: Sowing the Seeds of Spring
While the garden may seem quiet during the winter months, there's still plenty of gardening to be done. Here are some tasks to keep you busy:
Indoor Gardening
- Herb Gardening: Sow basil, dill, and chives indoors on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse for a year-round supply of fresh herbs.
- Microgreens: Grow nutrient-packed microgreens like radish, coriander, rocket, and spinach. These quick-growing crops are perfect for windowsill gardening.
Outdoor Gardening
- Onion Sowing: Following tradition, sow onion seeds, such as ‘Ailsa Craig,’ on Boxing Day. Start them in modules or pots in a cool greenhouse and transplant them outdoors in spring.
- Garlic Planting: Plant garlic cloves in well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy clay, consider starting them in trays indoors and transplanting them later.
- Broad Bean Sowing: Sow hardy broad bean varieties like ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ outdoors in mild climates or start them indoors in modules in a greenhouse.
- Rhubarb Planting: Plant rhubarb crowns in well-prepared soil enriched with compost or manure.
By taking advantage of these winter gardening tasks, you can set the stage for a bountiful harvest next year.
Harvesting Your Winter Vegetable Garden
There's something truly rewarding about harvesting your own homegrown winter vegetables. Crisp Brussels sprouts, hearty kale, and sweet parsnips are just a few of the delicious treats you can enjoy. To protect your leafy greens from hungry pigeons, cover them with netting. If you're growing Brussels sprouts for a festive feast, stake the plants to shield them from strong winter winds. Remember, a touch of frost can enhance the flavor of parsnips, so don't rush to harvest them too early.
Preparing Your Garden for Next Year
To ensure a bountiful harvest next year, consider mulching your empty beds with a thick layer of organic matter like well-rotted manure or compost. This simple act will significantly improve your soil's structure and nutrient content, leading to healthier and more vibrant plants. Once the mulching is done, it's time to relax. Grab a cup of tea, your garden notebook, and start planning your next year's garden. Dream of lush vegetable patches, vibrant flower beds, and fragrant herb gardens.
Visit our garden centre today and discover a wide range of vegetable seeds and seedlings to kickstart your next gardening adventure.
