The temperature in December is low, but there are some vegetables that can tolerate low temperatures and still guarantee growth. You can grow some vegetables that are very adaptable and grow fast and do not need a large space.
Since you landed on this article, it means you’re thinking about growing some veggies in winter. Generally, each month has its own vegetables to grow. In December, you can start growing spinach, fungus, garlic sprouts, leeks, celery, chrysanthemum, chives, and cucumbers.
All these vegetables grow well in December. However, the ones I will mention in this article are the most suited ones for healthy December growth.
1. Spinach
Spinach is a highly nutritious vegetable, and it grows very quickly. It has strong adaptability to the environment, strong disease resistance, and can withstand cold. All spinach varieties grow just fine in December.
Spinach prefers cool temperatures and can be grown all year round except during extremely hot seasons. However, the best season for spinach is winter. Plant in late fall or early winter to enjoy it for the longest.
It is a vegetable that can be easily grown even for the first time, as long as there is little insect damage and the soil is well prepared.
| Sowing time: | From late November to early December |
| Harvest time: | From January to March |
| Growing temperature: | 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit / 15-20 degrees Celsius |
Related article: How to Harvest and Collect Zucchini Seeds
2. Garlic
Garlic is the most common ingredient used for different types of foods. It is quite popular! I personally love to add garlic to most of my dishes as I am a huge garlic fan. Therefore, if you visit my house, you’ll always find a garlic growing area.
Elephant garlic is perfect for winter. It tolerates low temperatures and does not require much attention. However, I must mention that if you live in an area where your winter has heavy rain, I’d recommend you mix your soil with sand to avoid water accumulation.
| Sowing time: | From November to early December |
| Harvest time: | End of June |
| Growing temperature: | 32-50 degrees Fahrenheit/ 0-10 degrees Celsius |
3. Turnips
Turnips are rich in vitamins and dietary fiber. It helps greatly in digestion and helps with stomach and intestines problems. If you start planting them in the fall and take good care of them, they will last till winter.
| Sowing time: | From September to early December |
| Harvest time: | From mid-October to March |
| Growing temperature: | 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit / 15-20 degrees Celsius |
4. Globe Onions
Onions are often mentioned as vegetables that grow during winter. It takes time to harvest them, but it doesn’t require large-scale measures to protect against the cold. Therefore, it is surprisingly easy to try to plant them even if it is your first time.
| Sowing time: | From September to early December |
| Harvest time: | From October to January |
| Growing temperature: | 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit / 15-20 degrees Celsius |
5. Purple Asparagus
Purple asparagus is a beautiful sweet vegetable that adds a special fancy touch to any dish. When you plan to grow purple asparagus, sow them in December to germinate for 3-4 weeks before planting.
I must mention that this plant takes a while to give a proper harvest. If you’re patient enough to wait for around 3 years to get your purple veggie, then I’d say it will be worth it!
| Sowing time: | December |
| Harvest time: | After 3 years |
| Growing temperature: | 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit / 15-20 degrees Celsius |
Related article: How To Plant a Healthy Zucchini Seed Properly
6. Broad Beans / Fava Beans
Broad beans are rich in protein and minerals and are perfect as a salty snack. Fava beans do not take much time to grow and are very low-maintenance vegetables. That means this great green snack is perfect for busy growers and beginners.
However, I need to mention that after the beans start to grow in cold winter, take protection measurements against frostbites.
| Sowing time: | From October to early December |
| Harvest time: | From late April to May |
| Growing temperature: | 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit / 15-20 degrees Celsius |
7. Peas
The peas have different names depending on how they are eaten. The immature pods are eaten as “Saya peas,” the unripe beans are eaten as “green peas,” and the unripe peas are eaten as “snap peas.”
Since peas are prone to continuous crop failure, when growing in the same place, leave it for about 4 to 5 years. Peas are rich in proteins and many other vitamins.
If you’re going to grow your peas on the balcony, I recommend vineless seeds that can be grown compactly. If you can set up a support and pass the horizontal string, you can also challenge the vine.
| Sowing time: | From October to December |
| Harvest time: | Late April to early June |
| Growing temperature: | 42- 82 degrees Fahrenheit/ 6-28 degrees Celsius |
Advice!
- The seedlings will be damaged if you expose them to cold wind or frost, so use non-woven fabric as a countermeasure against the cold.
- Place the planter in a sunny and windless place.
Related article: How to Harvest and Collect Edamame Seeds (Soybeans)
8. Carrots
Spring and autumn are the best times to sow carrots, but they can also be cultivated in winter if they are protected from the cold with vinyl tunnels. It can be harvested about 110 to 130 days after sowing, and when the diameter of the roots on the ground is about 2 inches (5 cm), it is time to harvest.
If you grow it in a planter, I recommend growing mini carrots and three-inch carrots with short roots.
The time to harvest three-inch carrots is when the root diameter is about 1.5 inches (3 to 4 cm), and mini carrots when the diameter is about 1 to 2 cm.
Carrots contain a lot of β-carotene, which has the effect of preventing cancer, maintaining mucous membranes, and protecting the respiratory system.
| Sowing time: | April- October- December |
| Harvest time: | April – June |
| Growing temperature: | 50- 70 degrees Fahrenheit/ 10-21 degrees Celsius |
9. Rocket
It is also called Arugula. The rocket plant is an annual leaf vegetable that originated in the Mediterranean Sea. It is characterized by its spicy and fragrant flavor. This rich plant is perfect for salads.
The arugula plant is easy to germinate and easy to grow even for beginners. It is cold-tolerant, but I would recommend you grow it indoors during extremely cold temperatures.
| Sowing time: | From September to December |
| Harvest time: | From mid-October to January |
| Growing temperature: | 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit / 15-25 degrees Celsius |
10. White Radish
White radish, also known as daikon radish, is generally sown in autumn from September to October. However, if you sow seeds in autumn, you can plant them in December.
There are various varieties of radishes. If you want to grow large radishes on your balcony, prepare a pot with a depth of 15 inches (39 cm), a diameter of at least 16 inches (40 cm), and a capacity of at least 26 liters of soil.
Radish, which is very popular in worldwide cuisines, is rich in isothiocyanates and vitamin C. Isothiocyanate is the pungent component of radish and can be expected to have antibacterial and cancer-suppressing effects.
| Sowing time: | November to December |
| Harvest time: | Late December to around February |
| Growing temperature: | 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit/ 10-15 degrees Celsius |
Advice!
- If you want to grow many radishes, I recommend the “mini radish” variety.
- If there is foreign matter in the soil, the roots are likely to be deformed, so be careful.
- Thinning out seedlings is usually done twice. After that, fertilize with a fast-acting chemical fertilizer only once.
Grow and harvest vegetables in December!
In this article, I mentioned vegetables that you can enjoy growing even in December. If you take proper measures against the cold, you can fully enjoy your home garden even in winter. Vegetables grown with love have an exceptional taste.
There are many vegetables that can be easily grown in a planter, so please do not let winter stop you from enjoying gardening.
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