Season

Garden calendar December

In December rest, checking, and planning come first. Check stored crops, winter protection, and woody plants after storms or frost, and use the quiet period for variety choice, bed planning, and seed orders.

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Season

What matters in December

90 notes

Indoor sowing1notes

Direct sowing3notes

Planting4notes

Harvest38notes

Growing22notes

Pruning17notes

Plant health5notes

Priorities

Check stored crops and remove spoiled produce.
Adjust winter protection.
Plan varieties, seed orders, and crop rotation for the new year.

Common plant groups

Vegetables (41)Fruit (26)Herbs (9)Woody plants (3)Bulb and tuber vegetables (3)Tree fruit (3)Leafy vegetables (2)Nuts (2)

Calendar

December tasks

Indoor sowing

Indoor sowing (1)

For indoor sowing in December, light, steady moisture, and moderate warmth matter most. Record date and variety so later transplanting is easier to plan. The data links 1 matching notes for this month.

Garden cressIndoor sowingPossible year-round on the windowsill.

Direct sowing

Direct sowing (3)

Direct sowing in December works best when soil is fine, not waterlogged, and kept evenly moist after sowing. The data links 3 matching notes for this month.

Sea BuckthornDirect sowingSow in autumn for natural cold stratification over winter, or in early spring after artificial stratification. · cold_stratification - Seeds require cold stratification, so direct sowing in winter is possible.ChayoteCollect seeds from ripe Chayote fruitsAfter harvesting mature fruits. - Store seeds in a cool, dry place.BlackthornDirect sowingSow in autumn or early spring. Cold germinator.

Planting

Planting (4)

When planting out in December, watering basins, correct spacing, and cold protection matter more than planting as early as possible. The data links 4 matching notes for this month.

AlliumFrost protection for overwintering plantsSevere frost expected - Cover with brushwood or fleece.hardy kiwiWinter protection for young plantsYoung hardy kiwi plants can benefit from protection with mulch or fleece during severe frosts in their first few years.Wild StrawberryLet strawberry plants restWinter - Plants are in winter dormancy.ChayoteRemove dead Chayote plantsAfter the first hard frost. - Dispose of plant material to prevent disease spread.

Harvest

Harvest (38)

Harvest regularly in December, preferably in smaller rounds. This keeps many crops productive and improves quality and storage life. The data links 38 matching notes for this month.

AlliumHarvestHarvesting can take place from summer until the following spring, depending on the variety and sowing time. Winter-hardy varieties can remain in the...AlliumHarvest winter leeksPlants are mature - Harvest winter leek varieties, depending on the weather.Curry plantHarvestYear-round harvest possible; main harvest before flowering for best aroma.Rosmarinus tomentosusHarvestHarvesting can be done year-round, using the leaves and young shoots. Harvest in summer and autumn for best quality.Rosmarinus tomentosusHarvest older shootsMild weather - Harvest carefully if the weather permits.Salad BurnetHarvestHarvestable year-round in mild winters; tastes best before flowering.Winter SavoryHarvestHarvesting can be done continuously. For drying, cut the shoots before flowering. · Pflanzen wachsen - Regular harvesting stimulates new growth and keeps the plant compact. · Pflanzen wachsen - Harvest as needed for...ZingiberFinish harvest and prepare soilOutdoor - Remove dead plant material and amend the soil if necessary.ZingiberHarvestRhizomes can be harvested once the above-ground parts begin to wither. Dig carefully to avoid damaging the rhizomes.Barbarea vulgarisHarvestCut young leaves in autumn, winter, and spring.Brussels sproutsHarvestHarvest begins in autumn and can continue into spring, depending on the variety and weather. Frost often improves the flavor. · Sprouts firm and developed - Harvest the sprouts from bottom to top, starting with the...ChayoteHarvestHarvest begins in late summer or early autumn and can continue until the first frost.corn saladHarvestHarvest possible throughout winter depending on sowing date.Daucus carotaHarvestHarvest time varies depending on the variety and sowing date. Early varieties can be harvested as early as June/July. Storable varieties can be kept...

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Garden cressHarvestHarvest usually 1-2 weeks after sowing.HorseradishHarvestHarvest roots in autumn after the first frost or in early spring before new growth. Roots can also remain in the ground over winter and be harvested...HorseradishHarvest rootsfrostfreier Boden - Only possible when the ground is not frozen.Jerusalem artichokeHarvestHarvest tubers after the first frost until new growth begins in spring. Tubers can remain in the ground over winter and be harvested as needed.Jerusalem artichokeHarvest tubersBoden frostfrei - Harvest possible during mild weather.kaleHarvestOften harvested after the first frost to sweeten the flavor.Lacinato kaleHarvestHarvest outer leaves from the bottom up; frost improves the flavor.ParsnipHarvestHarvesting after the first frost improves flavor (conversion of starch to sugar).RadicchioHarvestHarvest depends on variety; many types tolerate light frosts, which intensifies their color.Root ParsleyHarvestMain harvest in late autumn; can remain in the ground over winter if soil is not frozen.SalsifyHarvestFrost hardy; harvest as needed from autumn through early spring.ScorzoneraHarvestHarvest can begin in October and continue into late winter or early spring, depending on the weather. The roots are frost-hardy and can overwinter in...ScorzoneraHarvest rootsroots mature and soil not frozen - The roots are frost-hardy and can overwinter in the ground.SkirretHarvestHarvest from October throughout winter; the roots are completely frost-hardy. Frost improves the flavor.SkirretRoot Harvestsoil_not_frozen - Dig up root clusters carefully with a fork to avoid snapping the brittle roots.SpinachHarvestHarvest leaves from April to December, depending on sowing date.SpinachHarvest in mild wintersMilde Witterung ohne Dauerfrost - Leaves can be harvested in mild winters.Sugarloaf ChicoryFinal harvestbefore_deep_freeze - Clear the remaining crops before severe permanent frost sets in.Sugarloaf ChicoryHarvestHarvest from September well into winter. Tolerates light night frosts.Welsh onionHarvestContinuous harvest of leaves and stems from spring to autumn. Overwintered plants can also be harvested in winter and early spring. · mild_weather - In mild weather, overwintered plants can be harvested.winter purslaneHarvestHarvest from October to March, depending on weather.winter purslaneHarvest in mild wintermild winter - Continue if weather is mild.BlackthornHarvestHarvest fruits after the first frost to improve flavor.BlackthornHarvesting sloesripe - Harvest fruits after the first frost.

Growing

Growing (22)

Care tasks in December prevent later problems: watering, mulching, supports, thinning, and succession sowing should follow the weather. The data links 22 matching notes for this month.

AlmondTrunk caresunny_winter_days - Whitewashing prevents tension cracks in the bark.AppleFrost protectionfrost - Provide frost protection for young trees if needed.Asimina trilobaCheck location, renew winter protection if necessary.Cold weather - Ensure winter protection is intact.Common FigWinter protectionbefore_first_hard_frost - Protect especially young trees with fleece or reed mats.gooseberryCheck after snowSchneefall - Gently brush snow off branches to prevent breakage.KiwiCheck winter protectionRegelmäßig bei Frostperioden - Ensure winter protection has not shifted and continues to protect the plants.MedlarApply winter protectionVor dem ersten starken Frost - Protect young trees from severe frost, e.g., with fleece or mulch around the root area.Mirabelle plumGarden planningwinter_rest - Use winter months for planning the next gardening year.RubusChecking the support structurebei Bedarf - Check the stability of the support structure and repair if necessary.StrawberryWinter dormancydormant season - Plants require a rest period.sweet cherryWinter protectionFrost - Protect trunk with jute or white paint.table grapeCheck for frost damage.Nach Kälteperioden. - Remove damaged shoots in spring.Wild StrawberryMaintain garden toolsWinterpause - Clean, sharpen, and oil tools for the next season.Lemon verbenaOverwinteringIndoors, cool and bright - Keep the plant cool (5-10°C) and bright in its winter quarters. Water sparingly.

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Rosmarinus tomentosusProtection from severe frostCold weather - The plant still needs protection from extreme temperatures during winter.LentilSoil restNach Ernte bis Frühjahr - Allow soil to recover, green manure possible Common WalnutSoil care around the treeWinter. - Remove fallen leaves to prevent diseases.Sweet ChestnutGarden maintenanceNach dem Schnitt - Clean and oil pruning tools to prevent rust and extend their lifespan.Common chicoryComplete forcingindoor - Harvest remaining chicory, dispose of roots or prepare for next season.Common chicoryPlan next seasonindoor - Observe crop rotation, order seeds.GarlicCheck winter protectionvor Wintereinbruch - Ensure the mulch layer is sufficient. · bei Bedarf - Additional cover may be beneficial during severe frost.Savoy cabbageWinter dormancyLet beds rest and plan soil care.

Pruning

Pruning (17)

Do pruning work in December only in suitable weather. Clean tools, clear goals, and the plant's growth stage matter more than a fixed date. The data links 17 matching notes for this month.

RaspberryPruning of harvested canes (summer-bearing raspberries) and thinning.The best time for pruning summer-bearing raspberries is after harvest or in late winter/early spring before sap flow begins.Sea BuckthornMain pruning for thinning and rejuvenation, shaping.The best time is in late winter (January to March) before sap rises, or in late autumn after leaf fall. This minimizes stress on the plant and...Sea BuckthornPruningdormancy - Shaping and thinning to promote fruit production and plant health.Sea BuckthornWinter pruningdormancy - Shaping and thinning to promote fruit production and plant health.table grapeDormant phase of the plant. Further winter pruning if needed.Winter. - No active care measures required, except if needed.table grapeMain pruning for shaping and yield regulation. Remove old wood and cut back fruiting canes.Preferably in late winter (January-February) when the risk of severe frost has passed. Do not prune during hard frost.table grapePerform winter pruning to shape the plant and promote fruit formation for the next year.Vegetationsruhe. - Fundamental pruning for training and yield regulation.table grapeStart of winter pruning if needed to maintain plant structure.Nach Laubfall, vor dem Austrieb. - Remove old, dead, or crossing shoots.Barbarea vulgarisPrepare for winterPrune to prepare for winter and remove any dead or diseased branches.Sweet ChestnutMain pruning season for shaping, maintenance, and renewal.Perform only during frost-free weather. Ideal for structural cuts.Sweet ChestnutPruningFrostfrei - Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. This is a good time for formative pruning.ChayoteDormancy and planningNo pruning measures. Collect seeds and prepare storage. Plan for the next season.corn saladMain harvest periodHarvest only on frost-free days.Garden cressHarvest cutCutting occurs approx. 7-14 days after sowing.

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Jerusalem artichokeRemoval of dead plant parts, preparation for harvestCutback occurs once aerial parts have died back after the first frost. This can also be done gradually over winter to facilitate harvesting.kaleContinuous harvestPick leaves from the bottom as needed.Lacinato kaleMain harvest periodHarvesting after the onset of frost improves the flavor.

Plant health

Plant health (5)

Plant health in December starts with early checks. Look at leaf undersides, young shoots, feeding marks, coatings, and water or heat stress. The data links 5 matching notes for this month.