In this section

December

December Tips

With Christmas on the horizon, December offers a welcome slowdown on the allotment. Visits may be shorter, but it’s still important to check in regularly to keep everything ticking over. This quieter month is also a great opportunity to plan ahead and even add a few gardening essentials to your Christmas wish list.

December Planting

 Although December is one of the calmest months, there are still a few jobs for keen growers. Indoors, it’s the perfect time to start a small herb garden. Outdoors, you can continue planting hardy crops such as:

  • Garlic
  • Broad beans
  • Winter salad leaves
  • Dormant bare‑root fruit trees

Tidying Up the Plot

December is ideal for getting your allotment in order, making spring feel far less overwhelming.

Remove Dead Plants

Clear away the remains of summer crops and plants that have gone to seed. Add healthy material to the compost heap, but dispose of any diseased plants separately to stop problems spreading next season.

Tackle Weeds

Weeds can still grow during winter. Use the quiet period to dig out persistent, deep‑rooted weeds like dandelions and docks. Cover bare soil with plastic, cardboard, or mulch to suppress weed growth over the dormant months.

Clean and Store Tools

Give tools a thorough clean, sharpen blades, and oil moving parts. Store them somewhere dry and secure to prevent rust. It’s also a good time to check your shed is weatherproof and safe for winter.

Caring for Your Soil

Healthy soil makes for healthier crops, and winter is the perfect time to give it some attention.

Dig Over Beds

If you have heavy clay soil, dig it over now and let frost naturally break it down into a finer, more workable texture. Avoid digging when soil is waterlogged, as this leads to compaction.

Planning Ahead

With seed catalogues arriving and the plot quieter than usual, December is a wonderful month for planning next year’s allotment.

Plan Crop Rotation

Map out where everything will grow next year. Rotating crops helps prevent the build‑up of pests and diseases and ensures a better balance of nutrients in the soil.

Choose and Order Seeds

Review what seeds you already have, then decide what you need for the year ahead. Whether sticking with favourites or trying something new, December is a great time to order. Early starters may also want to plan for sowing broad beans or sweet peas indoors in January.

Reflect and Set Goals

Think about what worked well this year and what you’d like to improve. Perhaps you want to try a new vegetable, enhance your composting, or use your space more efficiently. Setting small goals now can help you start the new growing season with clarity and excitement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feedback & Share