Posts Tagged ‘vegetable garden’

How to vegetable garden in December with hints and tips about growing vegetables and herbs.

If November has not been very cold and affected crops and the ground we can be fairly sure that December will make up for it.

The calendar may say it is the end of the year but us for gardeners it is the time to plan for the next growing season and at the same time clear and tidy up after a busy growing year.

The shortest day is in December and although the weather may be cold and damp there is optimism that the days will lengthen and that spring does not seem that far away. It is the perfect time to start planning for the next growing season.

Here are some hints and tips for growing a selection of vegetables during the month of December:

Root Crops

Lift Carrots, Turnips and Beetroot and store. A proven method is in boxes with sand packed between the rows of roots.

Be vigilant for signs of damage or rot when storing as this can soon affect healthy root crops. It is best to do a regular check on stored vegetables, removing any rotting or mouldy specimens.

Parsnips can be left in the ground until required for the kitchen as they taste better when they have been exposed to frost.

Celery

Leave Celery in the ground until needed but mulch with straw as protection.

Brussels Sprouts

The roots of Brussels Sprouts can become loosened by the wind, weakening the plant and reducing the crop so add a support before any damage is done.

When picking sprouts off the haulm begin by selecting the largest sprouts, which will be lower down the stem.

Take off yellowing leaves as soon as you see them which will help to prevent the spread of grey mould and brassica downy mildew.

Shallots

For those lucky enough to live in a mild area and garden on well drained soil it is possible to plant shallots in December. However for those gardening on heavy clay leave planting until the soil is warmer Shallots will easily rot.

Garlic

Garlic can be planted in December if you live in a mild area and garden on well drained soil.

If you garden on a heavy clay soil it is better to delay planting as there is a good chance that your Garlic will rot off. However you could plant Garlic cloves in modules to be planted out once the soil has warmed.

Spring Cabbage

If you planted out spring cabbages earlier in the autumn some may be ready to harvest and eat as winter greens. In mild autumns it is possible to have them heart up almost as large as they would achieve by spring.

Pigeons can devastate a crop so to prevent pigeon damage cover your crop with cloches, netting or fleece.

Soil and Garden Maintenance

If you have not done so dig over and incorporate soil improvers into available sections of the vegetable plot.

Cover these areas with thick polythene to keep the soil dry and make it easier to work in the spring. A practice that is very useful for heavy clay soils. Clear polythene will increase the soil temperature, enabling earlier sowings in spring. Black polythene will suppress weeds but many professional vegetable gardeners prefer to put down a black material membrane that allows the soil to breathe and not become sour.

Clear any remaining plant debris to discourage the spread of disease.

Slugs are still active so be on your guard around your crops and during the colder months mice are also on the lookout for an easy meal.

Bay Trees

Bay trees are not totally hardy so it is best to protect them during winter.

If your tree is in a pot and is small enough, carry it into a frost free greenhouse or similar structure. If not portable:

• Wrap the top growth with horticultural fleece
• Put the pot on feet so that it has good drainage
• Keep the compost on the dry side so that it cannot freeze

I have used this method for several years and now have a very good sized Bay.

Herbs in General

Some herb species can be kept going through the winter months by potting up pieces into small pots and keeping on the kitchen windowsill. Remember that they have missed their winter sleep and it may be necessary to dispose of them in the spring.

Provide protection for the crowns of herbs that have died down for winter by adding bark, grit or similar mulch.

See also:

How to Vegetable Garden in November
How to Vegetable Garden In January

It may seem as if the vegetable growing season is drawing to a close but take a closer look at how to vegetable garden in October and you will see that although the vegetable winter season approaches there are still many things to do in the vegetable garden. 

To begin with vegetable care tips, the harvesting of crops continues while gardeners in milder regions will still be sowing seeds. This is a good opportunity to begin to clear and clean plots ready for the winter and begin vegetable garden planning for next year.

Tomatoes

Now is the time to dig up any remaining outdoor tomatoes plants. For those vegetable gardeners with a greenhouse take the plants into the shelter of the house and hang them upside down to enable the fruits to ripen. For those with no greenhouse you have the option of picking the fruit and putting them in a shoe box with a banana to speed ripening or use them green in chutneys. 

Broad Beans

Broad Beans can be sown in situ if you live in a mild region and over wintered by covering the trench with fleece or cloches to provide insulation.

Peas

Once again for those gardening in milder regions sow peas in cold frames. But do remember that mice will be foraging for extra food for the winter so take extra precautions to protect your crop.

Carrots Vegetable Growing Tips

For milder climate gardeners the option is open to sow carrots in cold frames. An alternative method is to have a deep box which can be constructed easily from scrap timber and filled with compost. Sow the carrot seed and move the box into the greenhouse or shelter before any real winter weather begins.

Spring Cabbage

A very popular green vegetable so plant out spring cabbages this month. It is essential to cover your crop with netting or fleece to deter pigeons as they can devastate your crop.

Celery

Make sure that you earth up plants of trench celery so that just the top is showing. Cardboard can be used to achieve the same result. 

If you are growing a self-blanching celery variety harvest before the first frosts as these are not as hardy as the trench varieties. 

Squashes and Pumpkins

Harvest squashes and pumpkins when ripe. Store them in a cool, dry, dark place after letting the skins harden by leaving them in the sun, greenhouse or garage.

Asparagus

If you did not cut back your asparagus foliage and mulch around the plants during September then this should be done in October.

If you are planning to add an asparagus bed to your vegetable garden prepare now by digging in organic matter and grit for added drainage. Plant up in the spring. 

Root Vegetable Storage

Remember to check crops carefully and only store healthy root crops, this includes carrots, beetroot and potatoes. 

Leave parsnips in situ as frosting will improve the flavour. 

Runner Beans

Probably the last picking of Runner Beans in October as remaining beans will be tough and stringy.

Onions and Garlic Vegetable Growing

For an early crop next year plant autumn onion sets now. 

Start garlic in containers or modules and plant out when more mature.

Sprouts

To prevent grey mould problems remove yellowing leaves from Brussels Sprouts.

Digging Over the Vegetable Garden

October is normally not that warm but at the same time not too cold so take the opportunity to dig over areas of the vegetable garden where crops have been cleared.

Vegetable Garden Hygiene

Whether it is your allotment or vegetable patch at home it is best to remove all plant debris to lessen the risk of spreading disease.