What to sow in December – the 6 best vegetables and flowers to start growing this month

Think December is a quiet time month in the garden? Well, you're not wrong – but if you know what to sow in December, it can be as busy a month as ever for gardeners.

Believe it or not, sowing is one of the top jobs to do in the garden in December. That's because there are plenty of fruit and vegetables to grow in December, and sowing seeds now could reward you with early spring harvests, or even winter pickings if you're lucky.

We've compiled a list of what to sow in December, with sowing tips from gardening experts to help us along the way. Whether you'll be starting the seeds outdoors, in a greenhouse or in a cold frame, there's plenty of choice...

What to sow in December

Sowing seeds in December can seem a little out of place, but some plants are hardy enough to endure the winter frosts. But, of course, picking the right varieties is the key to success here.

'Sowing flower and vegetable seeds in winter can help get a jump start on the growing season, especially in milder climates or in a greenhouse,' says Lynne Lambourne, ambassador for GARDENA.

Wondering what to sow in December, exactly? Here are our top picks.

Lynne Lambourne

GARDENA sustainability ambassador and warrior on waste, Lynne Lambourne, inspires sustainable living through her gardening. She teaches people to rethink their garden spaces, including using their gardens to grow their own food, increase biodiversity, and help the climate crisis.

1. Herbs

Before we take a look at what to sow in December outdoors, we should think about the plants that can grow happily inside during the winter.

Herbs can be grown indoors all year round, and they're an especially great choice if you're a fan of cooking. So, consider starting your very own herb garden indoors this month.

'Make good use of windowsills during winter with a mini herb garden for rosemary, parsley, and sage,' says gardening expert and author Sarah Raven. 'It’s a real treat to have fresh herbs close by for easy picking, especially with all the cooking at Christmas.'

Where to buy herb seeds:

• Thompson & Morgan: This Herb Seed Collection includes sweet basil, mint and chives
• Suttons: Try the compact Parsley 'Favorit' for a flavoursome garnish

2. Broad beans

If you're wondering what to sow in December, broad beans are a great place to start. Sowing them now will stand you in good stead for tasty spring harvests.

‘Broad beans are easy to grow and can be planted indoors or outdoors (with a cover) during winter, as they can withstand cool temperatures,’ says Jack Sutcliffe, gardening expert and co-founder of Power Sheds. ‘It’s important to warm up the soil by covering it with polythene before sowing the seeds outside to help germination.'

Wondering which varieties to sow this month? ‘I recommend choosing a hardy variety like 'Aquadulce Claudia' or 'The Sutton', as these cultivars are known for better sustaining the colder temperatures,' says Steve Chilton, garden expert and director at LeisureBench.

'If conditions are mild, you will be able to sow your broad beans directly into the ground, but use cloches or fleece for protection. During particularly harsh winters, sow your broad beans in pots and place them undercover for the best results.’

Where to buy broad bean seeds:

• Growseed: Sow 'Aquadulce Claudia' broad bean seeds this month
• Suttons: 'The Sutton' broad bean seeds are a brilliant choice for December sowing

Steve Chilton

Steve is a passionate and knowledgeable garden expert with several years of experience within the field. As the director of LeisureBench, an industry-leading garden furniture company, Steve has developed strong expertise for all things nature and plants.

3. Sweet peas

According to Monty Don, October is the best time to sow sweet peas, but December is still a suitable time to start growing these pretty florals if you haven't yet.

'Sweet peas need to be started early in pots for a strong root system,' says Lynne from GARDENA. 'They will germinate and grow over the winter, encouraging a head start before planting outdoors in spring.'

Steve also recommends learning how to grow sweet peas from seed during December. 'Although sweet peas are a particularly hardy variety, they will still require some protection throughout the winter frost, so ensure you are planting them in cold frames,' he explains.

Where to buy sweet pea seeds:

• Sarah Raven: Grow beautiful blooms with this New Giants Sweet Pea Collection
• Gardening Express: This collection includes six different varieties of sweet pea seeds

4. Winter lettuce

Salad is one of the easiest vegetables to grow all year round, but there is a particularly hardy variety called the 'Winter Gem' lettuce which is very good at withstanding low temperatures. But, even so, they thrive the most in a greenhouse or a cold frame.

‘Lettuce 'Winter Gem' is a hardy variety, so it can be sown in low temperatures throughout December,' says Steve. 'You should ensure these seeds are sown in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame for protection, as frost, rain and snow can stunt their growth.

'For growing in a greenhouse, I recommend sowing the seeds directly into a grow bag and using a sprinkling of fertiliser to ensure optimal growth.’

Where to buy winter gem lettuce seeds:

• Dobies: 'Vailan - Winter Gem' lettuce seeds will produce sweet leaves
• Amazon: JustSeed Economy winter lettuce seeds can be sown this month

5. Spinach and kale

Also known as winter vegetables or winter greens, spinach and kale are hardy leaves that brave the winter temps.

'Spinach is a cold-tolerant leafy green that can withstand winter temperatures, and sowing it in December results in an early spring harvest when the temperatures begin to rise,' explains Petar Ivanov, gardening and plant expert at Fantastic Gardeners.

'Similar to spinach, kale is also a hardy winter vegetable that benefits from December sowing. It's rich in nutrients and can endure colder weather.'

Luckily, learning how to grow kale is pretty straightforward, and you can learn how to grow spinach in a pot in no time.

Where to buy spinach and kale seeds:

• Sarah Raven: If you're wondering what to sow in December, 'Giant Winter' spinach seeds are a trusty option
• Amazon: Mr Fothergill's 'Nero di Toscana' kale seeds are a classic choice for winter sowing and growing

6. Foxgloves

If you're wondering what other flowers you can sow in December, foxgloves are a great choice. You'll need to start them inside, ideally in a propagator where they'll germinate better.

'Foxgloves can be started in winter and will bloom in late spring or early summer,' says Lynne from GARDENA. 'They prefer cooler temperatures and can handle the winter chill, especially when started indoors.'

Where to buy foxglove seeds:

• Crocus: Go for unique white and maroon flowers with Digitalis purpurea 'Pam's Choice' seeds
• J. Parker's: Mixed foxglove seeds in various shades

FAQs

Is it too late to winter sow?

Not if you pick the right seeds. As long as choose varieties which are suitable for winter sowing, they should germinate when sown correctly.

Of course, that doesn't mean all vegetables and flowers have varieties that can be sown in December. But winter lettuce, kale, broad beans and sweet peas are all examples of seeds that can be sown this month if you pick the right varieties. As ever, check the seed packet before buying to make sure.

Most seeds will need to be sown in a greenhouse or cold frame at this time of the year, but hardier vegetables like broad beans can be sown outdoors with a little frost protection if the weather is mild. With some plant covers for winter on-side, your sowings should stay protected.

Is December too late to plant bulbs?

If you're wondering whether you can plant bulbs in December, you might be in luck.

Even though you've missed the main planting window for planting spring bulbs, which is autumn, you can still get them in the ground if it isn't frozen. Just try to get the task pencilled in sooner rather than later to allow the bulbs to establish themselves before spring.

Happy December sowing!