In The Vegetable Garden This December

Harvest Late Crops

• Root Vegetables: If the ground isn’t frozen, you can still harvest root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and beets. These vegetables often improve in flavour after a light frost, so don’t rush to pull them out.
• Brassicas: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage may still be growing slowly. Harvest these as needed, and be cautious about leaving them too long if the weather turns extremely cold.

Protect Plants from Frost and Cold

• Mulch: Add a thick layer of mulch around your vegetables to insulate the soil and protect plant roots from frost. This will help keep the soil temperature more stable during the coldest months.
• Cover with Row Covers or Cloches: If you still have hardy vegetables like kale, cabbage, or root crops in the ground, protect them with row covers, cloches, or fleece to shield them from frost and snow.
• Build Cold Frames: If you have a little more time and space, setting up cold frames can help extend the growing season for certain crops, allowing you to harvest some vegetables into winter or start early for the next season.

Compost and Soil Care

• Add Organic Matter: Compost and organic matter can be spread on garden beds in December to enrich the soil. This allows it to break down slowly over the winter, improving the soil structure and fertility for the upcoming season.
• Soil Testing: Take a soil test to determine if your garden needs any specific nutrients or pH adjustments for next season. This gives you time to amend your soil before planting begins in the spring.

Indoor Seed Starting

• Start Seeds Indoors: December is the time to begin indoor seed starting for early spring vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Use grow lights or place the seedlings in a sunny window to encourage strong growth.
• Herbs Indoors: Grow herbs like parsley, basil, and cilantro indoors on a sunny windowsill to have fresh herbs throughout the winter.

Garden Maintenance and Cleanup

• Remove Plant Debris: Clean up any spent vegetable plants and fallen leaves to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. This also prevents overwintering pests from finding shelter in your garden.
• Protect Against Pests: If you had issues with pests like aphids or slugs earlier in the year, now is a good time to ensure that the garden is clean and free of places where pests can overwinter.

Consider Winter Crops for Next Year

• Cold-Hardy Crops: If your climate allows, start planning for winter-hardy crops like spinach, winter lettuce, or garlic that you can plant in late fall or early spring for an early harvest next year.

By following these tips, you can keep your vegetable garden in good shape during December and set yourself up for a successful gardening season in the spring!