Month Planner - December
General
- Dig and manure ground as it is cleared - early and thorough digging guarantees a good seed-bed in spring.
- Sit down and plan out next year's crop rotation and what seeds and plants you will need.
- Check that cloches are firmly secured to prevent them blowing away in the wind.
Potato Family
- Nothing doing.
Legumes
- Consider where you are going to place your Runner beans next year and dig out a trench. Ridge the soil up on either side and leave it open to the beneficial effects of the winter.
Brassicas
- Continue to check Cabbages and Sprouts for any loosening in winds.
- Brussels Sprouts and winter Broccoli should now be ready for picking.
- Harvesting - Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage (Winter and Savoy), Kale, Winter Radishes, Swede, late-autumn Cauliflowers and Calabrese.
Onions
- Harvesting - Leeks should now be ready to start lifting.
Roots
- Lift any root crops and store in boxes of moist sand. This is especially important if your ground is wet and heavy or you have serious problems with slugs.
- Inspect root crops already in store and remove any showing signs of deterioration - make this a regular job throughout the winter.
- Complete lifting and harvesting of late-sown Betroot, Carrots, Swede, Parsnip, Salsify and Scorzonera.
- Lift Jerusalem Artichokes as needed.
Other Vegetables
- Harvesting - Spinach, Swiss Chard.
- Lift Celery as it is required.
- Protect the exposed tops of celery with straw.
Herbs
- Nothing doing.
Fruit
- Continue the planting of all fruits if the soil conditions are right
- Continue pruning
Many vegetables freeze well, but larger crops may need alternative storage. On well-drained soils root crops such as parsnips and carrots can be left in the ground over winter. In cold weather protect roots with a layer of straw, bracken or soil 15cm (6in) deep. This may need to be twice as deep in heavy frosts or for protecting beetroot. Alternatively, cover with a bin liner filled with crumpled newspaper anchored in position with string and pegs. A double layer of fleece will give some protection from mild frosts.
