PlantSowGrowWhat to sow and plant in December
A quiet month in the garden: plant bare-root trees and bushes when the ground isn't frozen, winter prune apples and pears, and plan next year's beds. Most of the sowing year is still ahead, so it's a good time to order seeds.
Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April, first frost late October). The PlantSowGrow app dates every job from your own town's frost dates.
Sow indoors in December 1
On a windowsill, in a propagator or in a greenhouse.
🌸 Flowers 1
Plant in December 2
Young plants, sets, tubers and bulbs into the ground.
🥕 Vegetables 1
🌸 Flowers 1
Ready to harvest in December 15
What you can be picking or lifting this month.
🥕 Vegetables 12
🌳 Trees 3
Trees and fruit bushes to plant 64
Deciduous trees and fruit bushes are sold bare-root from November to March, the best time to plant them. Pot-grown ones can go in whenever the soil isn't frozen or waterlogged.
🍓 Fruit 24
🌳 Trees 40
Jobs for established plants in December
- Winter Health CheckApple (Bramley's Seedling)
Inspect the tree for any winter damage, cankers, or signs of stress.
- Winter PruneBlackcurrant (Ben Sarek)
Cut about a third of the oldest stems to the base to keep young, fruitful wood coming.
- Dormant Season CheckCherry (Stella)
Briefly inspect the tree during dormancy for any structural issues, broken branches, or signs of disease.
- Winter ProtectionFeijoa (Pineapple Guava)
Protect young plants with fleece in hard frosts; move pot-grown plants into a cold greenhouse.
- Winter PruneGrape Vine (Phoenix)
Only prune when fully dormant (vines bleed sap later). Cut this year's side shoots back to two buds from the main rod.
- Winter Protection CheckGreengage (Cambridge Gage)
Inspect tree for any damage and ensure stakes/ties are secure for winter.
- Light PruningJapanese Maple
Only if needed, remove dead or crossing twigs while fully dormant. Maples bleed if pruned in spring.
- Winter PruneJostaberry
Cut a few of the oldest stems to the base to keep the bush young and productive.
- Light Winter PruningMulberry (Black)
Mulberries bleed sap if cut in spring. Only remove dead or crossing branches, in early winter while fully dormant.
- Winter ProtectionPittosporum (Tom Thumb)
In cold areas, protect pots from hard frost.
- Winter ProtectionStar Jasmine
In cold areas, cover young plants with fleece in hard frost.
- Winter ProtectionTea Plant
Protect young plants with fleece in hard frosts; move pots into a sheltered spot.
Other months
What to sow in January, What to sow in February, What to sow in March, What to sow in April, What to sow in May, What to sow in June, What to sow in July, What to sow in August, What to sow in September, What to sow in October and What to sow in November.