⛄ What to Plant
in December
In December the garden rests — and so does the gardener. But that does not mean there is nothing to do! Plan next season, study new varieties, order seeds and dream of the coming spring. Check stored produce and protect trees from wildlife.
📋 December: the planning month
December is the best month to plan next year's garden. The season is fresh in your memory and there is time to research and order everything you need.
Draw your beds to scale and plan which crops go where next year. The key rule: never grow the same plant family in the same bed two years running.
Browse seed catalogues for new and heritage varieties. Consider what worked this year and what you would change. Try at least one new variety each season.
Check stored potatoes, apples and root vegetables weekly. Remove any that are rotting — one bad apple really does spoil the barrel.
December is the time for gifting — a good gardening book, quality secateurs or a seed subscription make excellent presents for the gardener in your life.
Check tree guards are in place on young fruit trees. Deer rub antlers against trunks and rabbits strip bark from bases — both can kill young trees.
Clean, sharpen and oil garden tools. Blades are much easier to sharpen in December than in the busy spring season.
🔄 Simple 4-bed crop rotation guide
Rotating crops prevents the build-up of soil-borne pests and diseases and keeps nutrients balanced. Plan this in December for next year.
Rotate clockwise each year: Bed 1 becomes Bed 2's crops, Bed 2 becomes Bed 3's, etc.
🛒 What to order in December
Order early — the most popular varieties always sell out. These are the seeds and plants to order now for next season.
Heritage and unusual varieties sell out fastest. Order your chosen varieties now and start them in March.
Order certified seed potatoes from reputable suppliers. Popular early varieties often sell out by February.
Order strawberry runners, raspberry canes and blueberry plants now for March planting.
Dahlia tubers, gladiolus corms and annual flower seeds. New dahlia varieties sell out quickly each winter.
💡 December gardening tips
- ✓Plan next season — draw up bed plans and crop rotations
- ✓Study new varieties in catalogues and on the internet
- ✓Check stored potatoes, apples and root vegetables for rot
- ✓Give gardening books and tools as Christmas presents
⚠️ Common December mistakes
- ✗Forgetting to check stored vegetables — rot spreads quickly in winter storage
- ✗Not protecting young trees against deer and rabbits — damage is fatal to small trees
- ✗Leaving untidiness in the garden over winter — it harbours pests and disease
🌇 On the balcony in December
Keep in a cool (5–8°C) bright spot. Water very sparingly — just enough to stop them drying out completely. They will survive winter and regrow in spring.
Overwinter on a cool windowsill if the plant is healthy. They are perennials and will produce again next year from the same plant.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do in the garden in December? ▼
December is the planning month. Draw up plans for next year's beds and crop rotations. Browse seed catalogues and order early — popular varieties sell out by February. Check stored apples, potatoes and root vegetables weekly and remove any that are rotting. Protect young fruit tree trunks from rabbits and deer with wire guards.
When should I order seeds for next year? ▼
Order seeds in December or January at the latest. Popular vegetable and flower varieties — especially heritage tomatoes, unusual peppers and cutting flowers — sell out very quickly. Many Czech seed suppliers start taking orders from November. Ordering early means you get exactly the varieties you want.
How do I protect young fruit trees from deer and rabbits? ▼
Protect young fruit tree trunks from rabbits (zajíci) and deer (srnci) in December. Wrap the bottom 60–100 cm of trunks with spiral plastic tree guards or wire mesh. Deer rub antlers against trunks causing fatal damage. Rabbits strip bark from the base and can ring-bark (completely girdle) a young tree, killing it.
Can I plan my garden layout in December? ▼
December is the ideal time for garden planning. Draw your beds to scale on paper and plan your crop rotation for the coming year. The main rule of crop rotation: do not grow the same family of plant in the same bed two years running. For a basic 4-bed rotation: bed 1 brassicas, bed 2 legumes, bed 3 roots, bed 4 alliums/potatoes — rotate each year.
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