8 Vegetables You Can Plant in December – No Greenhouse Required

There's a certain nostalgia for gardening that always hits in December – spring is so far away and there sits the garden with nothing growing but weeds. But remember: if you live in a region where winters are mild and the soil isn't frozen you can actually plant vegetables in December! Yes, the cold weather means a slower growth rate, but floating row covers can help.

So what can you plant in winter? Vegetable planting in December won’t include summertime favorites like tomatoes or peppers. But you can include some root veggies to get a headstart on the harvest, or leafy greens to munch all winter long.

Root Crops for Early Spring Harvest

1. Garlic

The list of best vegetables to plant in December starts with garlic. No, you won’t get anything close to immediate gratification since the period between planting and eating is long. But working the soil and planting a crop brings a sense of satisfaction.

Garlic is a true “set and forget” crop: easy to grow and low on maintenance. And bring on the freeze! Garlic needs cold weather to form large, well-developed bulbs.

You’ll need garlic bulbs – hardneck or softneck – and best to buy organic or from the garden store to avoid bulbs sprayed with chemicals that prevent sprouting. You’ll also need an adequate supply of patience. The garlic you plant in December is likely to flavor your spaghetti sauce in late spring or summer.

2. Winter Onions

Onions and garlic are both in the allium family, and are both celebrated for their strong flavors when used in cooking. And just like garlic, onions are veggies to plant in December. Not every onion species will quality however; you ‘ll need to pick winter hardy types that tolerate cold temperatures. If you are using onion sets – immature onions that can be planted in the soil – pick cold hardy varieties like Electric Red, Seshyu Yellow, or Radar. They will chug along all winter long, producing large bulbs that can be harvested in early summer.

3. Carrots

If you can still work the soil in December, you can plant carrots, a kitchen staple. Use seeds and sow them directly in the soil since carrots do not transplant well. But not any carrot seeds will do. Select a cold hardy or even a winter hardy variety like Berlicum or Nantes 2 that produce reliable yields in winter. Harvest won’t start until springtime.

Cold-Sweet Greens (Harvest Throughout Winter)

4. Kale

If you live in a frost-free climate, kale is the December garden crop that keeps on giving. In chillier climbs, you may need row covers or other cold protection. As any kale fanatic will tell you, kale is really good for your health and develops sweeter, more tender leaves when it grows in winter.

Like with other veggies to be planted in December, you’ll want to select cultivars that are well suited to winter conditions. Two to look for: ‘Winterbor’ or ‘Westland Winter,’ both specifically bred for winter hardiness.

5. Lettuce

Pick a variety of lettuce marketed as "winter" lettuce. These types of lettuce are cold-hardy and grow in lower light conditions. You can direct-plant seeds or transplant small lettuce plants. It’s best to plant in a sheltered, sunny area with top drainage. 'Winter Gem' is one variety that has been bred to grow at low temperatures and provide a harvest.

6. Arugula

If you aren’t familiar with arugula, it’s a cool-season leafy green with tender, peppery leaves that gives a real pop to the salad. Arugula thrives in cooler climates and bolts in the heat, so give it a try in your December garden. As with other leafy greens, this won’t work if the ground is frozen, since it is important that the soil is workable. Harvest in the cut-and-come-again style whenever the leaves are large enough.

Brassicas and Pods (The Hardy Establishers)

7. Peas

Peas are another cool-season crop that can be planted in December in some regions. It’s important that the ground is not frozen and the soil is workable. The idea is to sow the peas in December in preparation for germination in early spring.

Pick a cold-hardy variety. It’s best to sow peas in containers rather than directly in the soil if you are acting in December. The ideal container will have adequate drainage holes and also a transparent cover. Add moist potting soil, sow the pea seeds, then place the container in a sunny location. germination in early spring. When the spouts are several inches tall and all chance of frost is past, transplant them into the garden.

8. Fava Beans

Fava beans – also called broad beans – are one of the hardiest legume crops. They overwinter well in a frost-free or light-frost-only area, so planting in December in a mild-winter area works just fine. It allows the plants to establish strong roots during the winter, getting them prepared to burst into life when spring arrives. A winter planting means an earlier harvest.

Winter Gardening Essentials