What to Plant in Your Garden in December in Central Texas
December might feel like a quiet month for gardening, but there are plenty of opportunities to keep your garden productive and beautiful. With the right choices, you can enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs, and even blooms during the cooler months. Read on to see all you can plant in December to make the most of the season!
Radishes are extremely easy - and QUICK - to grow. Pick up some organic radish seeds at your local nursery and in just a few weeks, you’ll have radishes ready to harvest! Slice them up and add to your meals for a delicious peppery crunch.
Cool-Season Vegetables to Plant
December is a great time to focus on hardy vegetables that thrive in cooler temperatures and can withstand light frost.
Leafy Greens: Plant spinach, lettuce, arugula, and Swiss chard. These greens grow quickly and can be harvested throughout the winter.
Root Vegetables: Sow seeds for carrots, radishes, and beets directly in the garden. Loosen the soil to encourage healthy root growth.
Brassicas: Start kale, broccoli, and cauliflower from transplants. These crops thrive in cool weather and will reward you with a steady harvest.
Garlic and Onions: Plant garlic cloves and onion sets now for a harvest in late spring or early summer.
Herbs to Plant in December
Many herbs can thrive during the winter, either in the garden or in containers.
Parsley: This versatile herb grows well in cooler weather and adds fresh flavor to winter dishes.
Thyme and Rosemary: Hardy perennial herbs that thrive in winter and require minimal care. Thyme grows long
Chives: A frost-tolerant herb that’s perfect for both garden beds and pots.
Perennial herbs grow extremely well outdoors during the winters.
Flowers to Brighten Your Winter Garden
Add some color to your garden with these hardy flowers:
Pansies and Violas: These cheerful, frost-resistant blooms will brighten up your garden all winter long.
Snapdragons: Perfect for planting in cooler weather, snapdragons will bloom through winter and early spring.
Wildflowers and Perennials: Scatter seeds for flowers like coneflowers or black-eyed Susans to establish roots for spring growth.
Other Gardening Tasks for December
December is also a great time to prepare your garden for the months ahead:
Enrich Your Soil: Add compost or organic matter to your garden beds to improve soil fertility for spring planting.
Plant Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs: Winter is the perfect time to plant dormant fruit trees, roses, and other bare-root plants.
Mulch and Protect: Spread mulch like cut straw around your garden beds to insulate plants and protect roots from freezing temperatures.
Start Seeds Indoors: Start your seeds for early spring crops like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs in a bright location near a window or under grow lights. I love the Epic Gardening seed starting kit, especially because it’s reusable and supports a small business!
Epic Gardening seed starting trays on a shelf act as miniature greenhouses and can be placed under grow lights, a windowsill, or outside as long as it’s not below freezing.
Tips for Success
Monitor Weather: Keep an eye on frost dates and cover tender plants if temperatures drop below 32 degrees.
Adjust Watering: Plants grow more slowly in winter, so water less frequently to prevent overwatering.
Plan for Spring: Use December to plan your garden layout and stock up on seeds for the new year!
PS: I just got this seed set that is customized to growing zone 8 and I am SO EXCITED to try it!
With the right plants and a little planning, December can be a productive and rewarding time for your garden. Whether you’re planting vegetables, herbs, or flowers, there’s always something to grow—even in the colder months. Happy gardening! 🌿
Leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, arugula, and Swiss chard grow quickly and can be harvested throughout the winter.
