The best seeds to sow in December

You might not think of December as being a time for growth in the garden. But there are a number of flower and vegetable varieties that can be sown now – either outside directly into the soil, in a greenhouse or using a heated propagator. Read on for recommendations on what to grow, plus tips on achieving the best results.

Lettuce

We recommend planting lamb’s lettuce (also known as corn salad), or ‘Winter Gem’ – a hardy, mini version of an iceberg lettuce. As its name suggests, it’s been bred to grow at low temperatures.

Sow seeds in pots in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame – or outside, spreading them thinly along 1cm deep drills of moist soil.

Lettuce takes up to 10 weeks to grow – and it’s slow to bolt, so you can still be picking leaves for your salads long into spring.

Mustard greens

Mustard greens are a nutrient-rich superfood, and perfect for adding to stir-fries, soups and salads.

Sow in pots in the greenhouse, or on the windowsill. The seeds germinate quickly – sprouting in one or two days.
If the temperature stays mild, mustard greens will crop throughout winter.

Broad beans

Easy to grow from seed, you can look forward to harvesting broad beans from May. Their soft, green pods contain white or green beans to use in delicious, nourishing stews, soups and winter salads.

Hardy varieties can be sown directly into the ground or large pots in December if it’s mild. Plant seeds 20cm apart, in rows 60cm apart.
If you live somewhere particularly cold, sow seeds under cloches in warmed trays in a greenhouse or on a windowsill first – then plant out six weeks later.
Broad beans don’t take up much room, but as they grow tall and heavy with beans, stake the plants with canes to prevent them falling over.

Chilli peppers

Bringing a little heat to colder days, chilli peppers are a great year-round plant.

Germinate using a heated propagator to get your seedlings off to the best possible start.
Certain varieties need light as well as warmth, especially capsicum chillies – this is where a grow lamp can help.

Aubergines

Grilled, roasted or stuffed, aubergines are a delicious Mediterranean vegetable.

Sow seeds in moist, peat-free multi-purpose compost, and keep in a heated propagator under a growing light,
Transplant seedlings into individual 7.5cm pots, then 30cm pots as they grow.
Wait until all risk of frost has passed before moving them outside.

Laurentia

Laurentia are bushy, half-hardy annuals, with pretty, perfumed flowers that look like stars.

Sow under glass in winter, in a bright spot.
Use a heated propagator will help to warm the soil when sowing.

Sweet peas

Sweet peas are easy to grow from seed in either autumn or spring. Sow indoors in containers that can be easily planted into the soil, minimising root disturbance. We recommend using recycled cardboard tubes.

Help activate germination by nicking the seed coat with a knife, avoiding the ‘eye’.
Sow the seed in a good-quality compost, and place in a cold frame or greenhouse.
Plant out your sweet peas once the risk of frost has passed.