What To Sow And Grow In December

There’s plenty to keep you busy in the garden in December. Make the most of any crisp dry days to nip outside and get a head start on the new year.

Here are our top picks of seasonal flowers, plants, fruit and veg to sow and grow in the garden this month:

Plants And Flowers To Sow And Grow

In The Greenhouse/Indoors

• Sow antirrhinums (Snapdragons) and laurentia in a cool greenhouse now for early flowering in the summer.
• Sow begonia and geranium seeds for a head start to the season.
• Cyclamen prefer cooler temperatures so sow them anytime between now and March for optimum growth.

Plants Outdoors

• Plant up winter containers with hardy cyclamen, ivy, skimmia and evergreen grasses such as carex to add colour to your garden. Position them beside entrances and well used paths for a cheerful winter display.
• Plant bulbs in large pots of compost ready to fill any gaps in spring borders.
• Plant some shrubs for winter interest. Sarcococca confusa adds colour and fragrance to your garden at this time of year.
• If you still haven't planted your tulip bulbs there is still time.
• Plant bare-root native hedges to encourage wildlife and create attractive boundaries around your garden.

Herbs And Vegetables To Sow And Grow

In The Greenhouse/Indoors

• Herbs such as basil, dill, chives and parsley can be sown indoors on your windowsill for winter use.
• Sow winter hardy salad leaves under cover, such as lettuce 'Winter Gem' and 'Arctic King'.
•  Sow exhibition onion seeds now to give the bulbs time to grow as big as possible.

Direct Sow Outdoors

• Sow hardy broad bean 'Aquadulce Claudia' outdoors.

Plant Outdoors

• Plant Rhubarb crowns now in well prepared soil. Add plenty of organic matter - they’re hungry feeders!

Fruit To Sow And Grow

Try starting to grow these fruits this month:

• If you'd like to grow your own delicious raspberries next year, plant raspberry canes now while they’re dormant.
• Plant blackberries any time between now and the spring.
• Strawberry plants can be planted now for a crop of sweet berries in the summer.
• Plant blueberries this winter for an attractive addition to the fruit garden. With pretty white flowers, delicious berries and fiery autumn foliage, these acid loving plants provide constant interest.
• Plant gooseberries and currants now.