The garden in December is anything but quiet - you can find out here which garden work is still pending in December and what is even blooming in December.
The end of the year is getting closer and it's getting colder. Nevertheless, gardening does not need to rest in December: quite the opposite, because not only is the planning of the new gardening year pending, but also some plants demand your attention in December. You can find out which seasonal vegetables can still be harvested in December and which plants are even starting to flower now in our garden tips for December.
The vegetable garden in December
December is one of the quietest months for the kitchen garden, because only a few types of vegetables are sown or harvested. The kitchen garden cannot do without care in December either, because it is not only the right month to prepare for the new garden year, but can also be used excellently for the care of your kitchen garden.
What to sow in December?
December is the darkest of all months and therefore not ideal for sowing new plants. Between the end of November and the beginning of December, if the weather is frost-free, the chervil beet can be sown in the bed to be ready for next year's harvest. After that, only hardened representatives such as winter purslane (Claytonia perfoliata), garden cress (Lepidium sativum) and lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta ) are sown in the greenhouse in December and grow slowly there until they can be harvested in frost-free weather in February. Wild garlic (Allium ursinum) can also be planted in the greenhouse in winter as a cold germinator and even benefits from the low temperatures.
In contrast, December is wonderful for growing microgreens on the windowsill: cress, parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and many other types of vegetables are easy to grow on the windowsill in December sow and cultivate. Incidentally, due to the high protein, trace element and vitamin content, the young seedlings are very well suited to keeping our he alth strong in winter. In addition to microgreens, sprouts can also be stored in a sprouting jarplant in December.
Sowing outdoors: Chervil beet
Sowing in the greenhouse: Wild garlic, lamb's lettuce, garden cress, winter purslane, hardy spinach varieties
Sowing on the windowsill: Sprouts, microgreens
What to plant in December?
Unfortunately, things are looking bad for new plantings in the vegetable patch in December: only particularly hardy garlic varieties (Allium sativum) can still be planted outdoors in December. At a depth of 2 to 3 cm and a distance of 10 to 15 cm from each other, the garlic can easily survive the winter and be harvested next summer. When planting, be sure to choose a frost-free day.
Outdoor plants: Garlic
Seasonal vegetables in December
Especially in the cold season, people long for fresh, home-grown vegetables. Fortunately, you don't have to do without the extra portion of vitamins and nutrients in December either, because there are numerous types of vegetables that can still be harvested fresh.
December seasonal vegetables include collards such as kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) and savoy cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. sabauda), but also turnips like rutabagas (Brassica napobrassica ) and butter beet. Mushrooms (Agaricus) and hardy leek varieties (Allium porrum) ensure fresh greenery in the kitchen in December. If you have a greenhouse, you can also look forward to a bountiful harvest of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and celery bulbs (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum) rejoice. Even salad lovers will get their money's worth in December: Lamb's lettuce and chicory (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum) can be harvested on frost-free days in December.
Vegetables: Mushrooms, butter beet, kale, parsnip, leek, Brussels sprouts, salsify, rutabaga, Jerusalem artichoke, savoy cabbage
Salad: Chicory, endive, lamb's lettuce, purslane
In the greenhouse: Spinach, Celery
Further work in the kitchen garden in December
Gardening in December is of course not just about sowing and harvesting. In our garden tips for December, we will tell you what other work is due in December.
Dig up soil:Anyone who is struggling with particularly heavy clay soil in the vegetable garden can use December to dig up the soil before the first frost. During the cold season, so-called frost freeze occurs, in which water deposits in the earth freeze and the coarse clods of earth practically burst open. Finally, in the spring, a finely crumbly soil remains that is ideal for growing vegetables.
Use raised beds: If you have your own raised bed, you should definitely not leave it empty in December. In fact, raised beds can also be used wonderfully in winter, as their temperature is around 5 °C higher than outdoors, making them ideal for growing “conditionally” frost-hardy plants such as spinach, sugar loaf or endive.
Propagating Jerusalem artichoke: In December, not only is the harvest time for Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), you can plant the plant at the same time Step also multiply wonderfully. To do this, the largest and most well-formed tubers are sorted out after harvest and put back into the ground, where they will sprout again in spring.
The ornamental garden in December
Everything is cold and gray in winter? That's not true - there are still some beauties to be found in ornamental gardens in December, which make us happy with their pretty flowers or their impressive leaf colouring.
What's blooming in December?
Many people associate December with evergreen plants such as firs (Abies) or holly (Ilex), but only rarely with colorful flowers . In fact, there are some beauties that also show their impressive flowers in December. But what is blooming in December?
One of the classics among the flowering plants in December is the Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), which presents its white or pink flowers from December to March in wind and weather . The snow heather (Erica x darleyensis) is also one of the most popular winter bloomers, which often provides splashes of color in the garden with its pink flowers as early as December and is excellent suitable as ground cover.
There are also some shrubs and trees that bloom in December: winter snowball (Viburnum bodnatense) and scented snowball (Viburnum farreri ) already show their eye-catching flowers in winter and the witch hazel (Hamamelis) often opens its bright yellow, orange or red flowers as early as December. Also the winter cherry(Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis') delights with its flowers. The yellow winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum), which boasts countless yellow flowers in December, has a particularly bright appearance.
Perennials: Christmas rose, pineapple sage (Salvia rutilans 'Pineapple Scarlet') and house garlic ( Tulbaghia violaceae)
Groundcover: Snow Heath, Himalayan Hibiscus
Climber: Winter Jasmine
Shrubs and shrubs: Mediterranean snowball, Autumn flowering camellia (Camellia sasanqua), Winter cherry, Winter flowering (Chimonanthus ), witch hazel
Tip: It's not just flowers that can beautify the garden in December. Also colorful fruit ornaments such as holly (Ilex), love pearl bush (Callicarpa giraldii) or hamberry (Gaultheria) wear is extremely decorative.
What flowers can you plant in December?
It's not just a few plants that bloom in December - if you want to look forward to a colorful splendor of flowers next year, you should start sowing new ornamental plants in December. Cold germs in particular should definitely be sown in December, as they need the low temperatures to overcome their dormancy, i.e. dormancy. The classic cold germinators include, for example, high mountain plants such as gentian (Gentiana) or the farmer's peony (Paeonia officinalis). The bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos / Dicentra spectabilis) and the sweet violet (Viola odorata) also need the cold stimulus to germinate.
If it doesn't freeze permanently, December is also a great time to plant new trees: bare-root roses (Rosa), but robust native trees and evergreen conifers can also do the trick in mild temperatures and frost-free soil can definitely still be planted in the bed.
Perennials: Farmer's peony, sweet violet, aconite, gentian, bleeding heart
Trees: Cherry Laurel, Privet, Rose, Holly, Wild Rose
More gardening work in the ornamental garden in December
So that the ornamental garden can shine in all its glory in the coming year, it is particularly important to take good care of it in December. FurtherWe have therefore summarized garden tips for December in the ornamental garden for you here.
Frost protection: Particularly exotic ornamental plants such as oleander (Nerium oleander) and citrus plants do not tolerate frost and should therefore plant their new ones at the beginning of December at the latest Change location for hibernation - when hibernating oranges you should even avoid temperatures below 5 °C. Less sensitive potted plants can also be left outside in December, but it is worth applying frost protection: a jute bag filled with leaves around the pot or polystyrene plates under the pot keep out the cold and prevent the pot from freezing through.
Don't forget to water: Especially when December is dry and mild, you should occasionally reach for the watering can and water flowering and wintergreen plants. It only makes sense to add water when the temperature is below zero, as this cannot penetrate deep enough into the frozen ground and, in the worst case, will form an additional layer of ice above ground.
Cutting: Forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia), Weigela ( Weigela) and other flowering shrubs can be easily propagated with sticks in December. To do this, cut off this year's shoots and divide them into pieces about the length of a pencil, each with a bud or a pair of buds at the top and bottom. The sticks can be stored in loose soil in a shady, sheltered place until planting in early spring.
Prevent snowfall: When the first snowflakes fall from the sky in December, this can become a problem for shrubs and woody plants, because suddenly they are weighed down by up to 20 kg. To prevent branches from breaking under this load, it is worth tying the branches of sensitive shrubs together with a loose, non-cutting band as a preventative measure. The snow slides off the upright shoots more quickly, so the shrub has to carry less weight.
The Orchard in December
The orchard in December is one of the places where there is least work. No wonder, after all, the fruit harvest is completely over in December. Anyone who has already stored pears (Pyrus) and apples correctly in November can also look forward to fresh fruit from the cellar in December. But you can't do without working in the orchard in December either:
Frost protection: While older fruit trees almost never have problems with severe frost, the situation is often different for younger specimens: The frosty temperatures in combination with the bright winter sun can lead to so-called frost cracks to lead. The bark of the trees then bursts open vertically. To prevent this, it is worth applying a light-reflecting, white lime coat to the trees on frost-free days. Newly planted vines and kiwis should be protected from the cold in winter with fleece or jute bags.
Remove fruit mummies: If dried apples are still hanging on the branches in December, diseases such as Monilia fruit rot are often behind them. To prevent the disease from recurring next year, any fruit that has not fallen off the tree should be collected in December and then discarded.
Graft fruit trees: Anyone who wants to graft their cherry, pear or apple tree can start pruning in December. The scions, i.e. the shoots with which other fruit trees are to be grafted, are best cut off on a frost-free day. They can then be stored slightly damp and dark at temperatures of around 2 °C until the time of grafting in spring. The same applies to bushy berries such as currants, gooseberries and walnuts: scion can now also be cut from these.
Planting fruit: If December is mild and frost-free, it is still ideal for planting new fruit trees. So if you are toying with the idea of planting a new apple tree, you should use December again - of course this also applies to plum, cherry, pear or plum trees. Rhubarb can also be planted in December if the weather is frost-free.
Propagation via root cuttings: Raspberry and blackberry can be propagated via root cuttings in December. The root ball of the plant is carefully exposed and 5 to 7 cm long, fleshy root parts are cut off. The root cuttings are then reburied in another spot about 5 cm deep and begin to develop into a new plant in the spring.
The Lawn in December
Anyone who owns a lot of lawns can be happy in winter: in December, the lawn hardly needs attention and care if it was well prepared in November. The only task left at the beginning of December is to sweep away the last leaves. These should not linger on the lawn,as the grass below often dies or even begins to rot. If the lawn is leaf-free, it is best to just leave it alone. So you can sit back and relax when it comes to lawn care in December.
Support garden animals and insects in December
Winter is a particularly difficult time for all garden animals: a lack of food resources and bad weather in December mean that many animals need support to survive the rough season. We have compiled the most important tips for supporting garden animals and insects in December for you here.
Avoid tidying up: With less gardening to do in December, many gardeners choose to use their free time to tidy up, removing piles of wood, piles of sticks, and overgrown hedges. For garden animals, however, this is a nightmare: many have already looked for winter quarters in December and are rudely torn out of hibernation when their hiding place is suddenly torn down - especially for hibernators like the hedgehog, this is an enormous burden that can even mean death . Compost should also not be turned over in December, because lizards, toads and insects often seek shelter in the warm heap.
Feeding the birds: Birds have a particularly difficult time in winter, as many gardens often lack a selection of bird-friendly plants that serve as a source of food in winter. If you want to touch the feathered animals under their wings, you should set up a bird feeder in December. Filled with a fat and protein-rich litter like our Plantura litter for wild birds, it soon turns out not only to be a paradise for birds, but also an interesting observation point for young and old.
Leave the bird bath: Many people put their bird bath back in the shed in winter - birds like to use the fresh water even in December. The bird bath not only serves them as a place to drink, but also to clean their feathers. This stimulates the heat balance and the production of fatty secretions, which the animals distribute in their plumage to protect themselves from wind and water when cleaning. For this reason, a drinking trough in December helps to keep the birds he althy and dry.
Care for indoor plants properly in December
SpecialAt Christmas time, colorful indoor plants are the highlight of the room decoration. But which plants actually bloom in December and what care do potted plants need in December?
Which houseplants bloom in December?
Blooming indoor plants in December are a must for many. Classic Christmas plants in particular are popular with many guests and provide colorful accents: the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) enchants the house with its eye-catching colorful flowers, which appear from November to January. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) and amaryllis (Hippeastrum) are also classics during the Advent season. The Christ's thorn (Euphorbia milii), which is also counted among the Christmas plants, is a little less well-known, but just as beautiful.
If you prefer something a little less Christmassy, you don't have to do without colorful flowers: Cyclamen (Cyclame persicum), potted azaleas (Rhododendron simsii) and Flammendes Käthchen (Kalanchoë blossfeldiana) are just a selection of winter-flowering indoor plants that impress with their magnificent flowers.
Another beautiful tradition that brings flowers into the house are the so-called Barbara branches. On December 4th, the day of St. Barbara, branches are cut off from fruit trees such as cherries or plums, or from early flowering ornamental trees and then cut off at an angle and placed in a vase with water. Due to the heat in the house, the buds on the branches begin to develop into flowers and, just in time for Christmas, the branch is in full bloom. For this to happen, however, the branch needs a cold stimulus beforehand. If it hasn't frozen by December 4th, you can simply put the Barbara branches in the freezer for 12 hours. Then you can set it up. This is how the Barbara branches also succeed in warmer years.
Flowering Houseplants: Begonias (Begonia), Cattleya Orchids (Cattleya), Christ's Thorn, Flaming Katy, Potted Azalea, African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), Christmas Cactus, Poinsettia, Cyclamen
Suitable plants for Barabara branches: Blood Plum (Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra'), Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum farreri), common jasmine (Jasminum officinale),Forsythia (Forsythia), cherry (Prunus), almond tree (Prunus triloba), plum ( Prunus domestica), witch hazel
Further work on indoor plants in December
Houseplants also need regular care to keep them he althy in the long run. In winter in particular, you should never neglect your houseplants. The following work must also be done on indoor plants in December.
Pest control: Dry heating air means that indoor plants are particularly popular with spider mites in December. You should therefore regularly examine the leaves of your plants for the typical damage with fine white speckles on the leaf surface. In the event of an infestation, you should immediately take countermeasures, for example with our Plantura pest-free neem, to prevent the pest from spreading.
Customize care: In winter, not only are garden plants in hibernation, but also potted plants go into dormancy. In particular, plants that overwinter indoors at low temperatures hardly need any nutrients in this phase and should therefore no longer be fertilized. Likewise, the casting intervals can be slowly increased. But even indoor plants are often damaged by fertilization in winter, so you just have to make sure you have an adequate water supply.
Together with December, Christmas and the purchase of a Christmas tree are just around the corner. In our article, we will tell you whether a traditionally felled Christmas tree makes more sense or you should opt for the variant in a pot: Christmas tree in a pot: A sensible alternative?.
And you will find out what work is due after the holidays in our January gardening article.