The Vegetable Plot - December

Who grows where?

The vegetable garden can be well stocked and growing through the winter months, with the vegetables virtually looking after themselves.

Onions, shallots, garlic, spring onions, broad beans, peas and more can be comfortably left to fend for themselves while you get on and sow some winter lettuce, lambs lettuce, mustard and cress.

Under glass you can be growing chicory, endive, lettuce, radish and rhubarb. If you made a plan last year you could be enjoying seasonal crops of Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celeriac, endive, kale and leeks, they are all in season in December. It all depends on the size of your plot and what and where you can grow. There’s no reason why vegetables can’t be grown alongside flowers and plants in borders if you’re short on space, adding attraction when the foliage fades.

• Prune fruit trees and cut back vines
• Lift and store leeks and parsnips or heel them in to a trench to keep until needed
• Lift and divide rhubarb clumps
• Cut down asparagus foliage 
• Continue to lift and blanch chicory
• Plant new blackberry canes and prune old ones