🌱❄️ What Vegetables Can You Plant in December in the UK?
🥕 Introduction: December Is About Hardy Crops and Looking Ahead
December is the quietest month in the UK vegetable garden. Daylight is minimal, temperatures are low, and growth is extremely slow. However, December is not completely plant-free. With the right conditions, there are still a few hardy vegetables you can plant, mainly for overwintering and early harvests next year.
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This guide explains exactly which vegetables you can plant in December in the UK, where planting is realistic, and how to protect crops during the coldest part of winter.
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• Garden Fleece & Cloches
Essential for protecting December plantings from frost.
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• Raised Beds & Containers
Improves drainage and soil warmth in winter.
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• Compost & Mulch
Insulates soil and protects roots from freezing.
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🌱🥬 Vegetables You Can Plant in December (UK)
🧄 Garlic
Garlic is the most reliable December planting.
✔ plant cloves directly outdoors
✔ cold helps bulb formation
✔ harvest the following summer
Raised beds work best in wet winter soils.
🧅 Overwintering Onions (Sets)
Onion sets can still be planted.
✔ plant directly outdoors
✔ roots establish before spring
✔ earlier harvest next year
Avoid planting in frozen or waterlogged soil.
🫘 Broad Beans (Autumn Varieties)
In mild areas, broad beans can still be sown.
✔ sow directly outdoors
✔ overwinter well
✔ harvest earlier than spring sowings
Choose varieties bred for winter planting.
🌱 Spinach (Winter Varieties)
Spinach can be planted under protection.
✔ sow under cloches or fleece
✔ slow winter growth
✔ harvest in early spring
Avoid exposed, frost-prone sites.
🥬 Lettuce (Winter Varieties, Under Cover)
Winter lettuce can still be sown in sheltered areas.
✔ grow in greenhouses or cold frames
✔ very slow growth
✔ early spring harvests
Protection is essential.
🥬 Rocket (Under Cover)
Rocket tolerates cold conditions.
✔ sow under cover
✔ harvest young leaves
✔ suitable for winter salads
Growth pauses during very cold spells.
🌤️🌱 Can You Sow Vegetables Outdoors in December?
Yes — but only hardy choices and only in suitable conditions.
✔ garlic
✔ overwintering onions
✔ broad beans (mild areas)
Soil must not be frozen, compacted, or waterlogged.
🚫🌱 Vegetables That Should Not Be Planted in December
Most vegetables are unsuitable now.
❌ carrots
❌ parsnips
❌ peas
❌ beans
❌ courgettes
❌ tomatoes
These require warmth and light to germinate.
❄️🛡️ Tips for December Planting Success
✔ choose sheltered locations
✔ improve drainage
✔ use fleece or cloches
✔ avoid disturbing frozen soil
Winter planting is about survival, not speed.
🌟 FAQs
Is December too late to plant vegetables in the UK?
No. Garlic, onions, and some hardy crops can still be planted.
Will vegetables grow much in December?
Top growth is minimal, but roots establish underground.
Should I plant in containers in December?
Yes. Containers offer better drainage and slightly warmer soil.
Do December vegetables need feeding?
No. Feeding resumes in spring.
Is December suitable for beginner gardeners?
Yes. Planting is simple and low-maintenance.