Winter Gardening Tips and Gifts for a Bountiful New Year
December might feel like an off-season for gardening, but it’s actually an ideal time to prepare for a fruitful garden in the new year. Winter offers the chance to plant certain hardy crops, focus on soil health, and make intentional plans for future harvests. Here’s what to plant in December and some tips to help your cool-weather gardening thrive.
1. Garlic
Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to plant in December. It loves cool weather and benefits from a slow winter start, developing strong roots that lead to plump, flavorful bulbs by early summer. Garlic planted now will be ready for harvest by June or July, filling your kitchen with its savory aroma and enhancing countless dishes.
How to Plant: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Separate a bulb into cloves, then plant each clove 2 inches deep, 4–6 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up. Garlic needs room, so ensure enough space between rows to prevent overcrowding.
Tip: Mulch around the cloves with straw or shredded leaves to insulate against frost. In regions with harsher winters, add a thicker layer of mulch for extra protection and warmth to prevent cloves from freezing.
Things to Remember:
- Organic Garlic Bulbs – High-quality bulbs that yield excellent flavor in cooking.
- Straw Mulch – Essential for winter insulation and keeping garlic warm.
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2. Onions
Onions are a great choice for winter planting. They’re resilient in cooler temperatures, and by planting them in December, you give them a strong start for larger bulbs in the spring. Many onion varieties even become sweeter with a touch of winter chill, making this crop not only practical but also flavorful.
How to Plant: Plant onion sets or seeds 1 inch deep, spaced 4 inches apart, in soil enriched with compost. Onions love full sun, so choose a bright spot for best results. Avoid overwatering, but keep the soil moist as they establish roots.
Tip: Incorporate compost into the soil before planting to provide essential nutrients. Onions are heavy feeders, and enriched soil will make a difference in the size and flavor of your harvest.
Things to Remember:
- Organic Onion Sets – Premium sets for planting, yielding hearty, flavorful onions.
- Organic Compost – Enriches soil quality and ensures a stronger onion crop.
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3. Winter Lettuce and Spinach
Lettuce and spinach thrive in cooler weather, and they’re hardy enough to handle December planting, especially in mild climates or under a cold frame. These greens make excellent winter crops because they can tolerate light frosts and provide fresh, crisp leaves for salads or cooking even when most other plants are dormant.
How to Plant: Sow seeds directly into the soil in rows, spaced about 4 inches apart, and cover lightly with soil. Place a cold frame or row cover over the bed to shield the plants from extreme cold. These greens need consistent moisture to stay tender.
Tip: Choose cold-tolerant lettuce varieties like ‘Winter Density’ or ‘Arctic King’ and spinach varieties like ‘Winter Giant.’ These varieties can withstand winter temperatures better than typical greens.
Things to Remember:
- Winter Lettuce Seeds – Perfect for cold-weather gardens, yielding crisp, fresh leaves.
- Cold Frame – Essential for protecting greens in chilly weather.
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4. Broad Beans (Fava Beans)
Broad beans are an excellent choice for December planting, as they are one of the hardiest beans available. They thrive in cold soil, slowly establishing roots that strengthen over winter, leading to lush plants and a healthy harvest in early spring. Broad beans are also great for enriching soil with nitrogen, preparing it for future planting.
How to Plant: Sow broad bean seeds about 1–2 inches deep, with about 8 inches between each plant to allow room for growth. Cover the bed with a layer of mulch to insulate roots from frost.
Tip: Choose a sunny location, as broad beans grow best with ample sunlight. The mulch layer not only helps with temperature regulation but also keeps weeds at bay, allowing the beans to grow unhindered.
Things to Remember:
- Broad Bean Seeds – Hardy seeds that yield a nutritious spring crop.
- Mulch – Keeps soil temperatures stable and roots protected.
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5. Peas
Peas are a classic cool-weather crop, and December is a prime time to plant them, especially in regions with mild winters. By giving them a head start in winter, you’ll enjoy a robust crop in early spring, just when fresh veggies are most welcome. Fresh peas are tender and flavorful, making them a garden favorite.
How to Plant: Sow peas 1 inch deep and 2–3 inches apart in well-drained soil. Add a trellis or stakes to support the growing plants, as they can reach surprising heights by spring.
Tip: Choose winter-hardy varieties such as ‘Meteor’ or ‘Kelvedon Wonder,’ which are bred for colder temperatures. Apply a layer of mulch to regulate soil temperature and lock in moisture.
Things to Remember:
- Pea Seeds – Choose a variety that thrives in cooler weather.
- Trellis or Stakes – Essential for supporting climbing pea plants as they grow.
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6. Cover Crops (Green Manures)
December is a perfect time to plant cover crops, also known as green manures, which enhance soil health during the dormant months. Clover, winter rye, and vetch are popular cover crops that help improve soil structure, prevent erosion, and suppress weeds.
How to Plant: Scatter cover crop seeds evenly over the garden bed and lightly rake them into the soil. Cover crops work best when allowed to grow throughout the winter, creating a protective blanket over the soil.
Tip: In spring, turn the cover crops into the soil to add organic matter, which enriches the soil and improves its texture. Cover crops are an ideal choice for areas where you won’t plant other winter crops.
Things to Remember:
- Cover Crop Seed Mix – Great for enriching soil and preparing it for future crops.
- Garden Rake – Essential for spreading and turning cover crops into the soil.
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Gift Ideas for Gardeners
Winter is the perfect time to surprise the gardener in your life with thoughtful gifts that will enhance their gardening experience and help them prepare for the coming seasons. If you’re looking for Christmas or birthday gift ideas, here are some essentials every gardener would love!
- Beautiful Gardening Tools – Feminine and pretty gardening tools that make it fun to be outside in even the most challenging weather!
- Gardening Jacket – Wrap up warm and still enjoy the fresh air outside!
- Gardening Planner – A detailed planner is invaluable for mapping out planting schedules, organizing crop rotations, and setting seasonal goals. It’s a wonderful way to help them stay organized and inspired all year.
- High-Quality Pruners – Perfect for trimming and maintaining healthy plants, even in the winter months. Quality pruners are a must-have tool for any serious gardener and make a practical, appreciated gift.
- Soil Test Kit – Help them set up for a successful planting season by gifting a soil test kit. It gives them insights into their soil’s pH and nutrient levels, helping ensure healthy crops in the spring.
- Grow Lights – Ideal for gardeners who want to start seedlings indoors or keep fresh herbs growing throughout winter. Grow lights make it easy to ensure plants get enough energy, even in low light.
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The Takeaway
Gardening in December is an opportunity to build a foundation for a productive and bountiful garden in the coming year. With a selection of hardy winter crops and careful attention to soil health, you’ll set the stage for fresh harvests and a thriving garden by springtime.
Embrace the season, and enjoy the quiet productivity of winter gardening!
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As always, we’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite winter crops, or do you have any winter gardening tips? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to like, share, and spread the inspiration for winter gardening!
Last update on 2025-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
