What to Do on Your Allotment in December

December is the month that experienced allotment holders treat as a gift. The pressure is off. There is no planting to rush, no harvesting deadline, and no weeds threatening to take over. It is time to reflect, plan, and prepare — and to eat extraordinarily well from everything you grew and stored.

What to sow in December

The open ground is mostly at rest, but committed growers with a heated propagator start: - Sweet peas — sowing in December in a cool greenhouse gives the strongest plants by spring. - Onions and leeks — in a heated propagator from the very end of December if you want the earliest possible start.

Otherwise, December is not a sowing month. Use the time to plan rather than sow prematurely and waste energy.

What to harvest in December

The winter vegetables are at their peak: - Brussels sprouts — at their very best after multiple frosts. Harvest from the base upwards; the smallest, firmest buttons at the base have the best flavour. - Parsnips — sweeter now than at any other time of year. Leave in the ground and dig as needed. - Leeks — a reliable standby throughout winter. - Kale — hardy and productive even in hard frosts. - Celeriac — nutty flavour; grate raw into salads or roast with olive oil and thyme. - Stored crops — check regularly. Onions, squash, apples in store, and dried beans.

Key jobs for December

Review the year honestly. While it is fresh (or nearly fresh), write down what worked and what didn't. Which varieties performed well? What failed? What would you do differently next year with crop rotation? By March, you will have forgotten the details that matter.

Finalise and order seeds. Use your review notes and planned crop rotation to build your seed list. Order from at least one specialist supplier alongside the mainstream catalogues — the variety selection is far better.

Repair beds, paths, and structures. December is ideal for replacing rotten boards on raised beds, fixing leaning fence posts, building a new compost bay, or extending a path. The plot is quiet and you can work without damaging crops.

Spread compost on cleared beds. A final layer of compost applied now will be incorporated by earthworms over winter. In no-dig systems, simply apply it to the surface and let the worms do the work.

Pests to watch

• Birds — pigeons are relentless on brassicas in winter. Keep nets in good repair.
• Mice — check stored vegetables and bulbs. Traps placed inside sheds are more humane and effective than poison in an allotment environment.
• Slugs — active in mild December spells. Check under fleece and around any growing crops.

Quick win: write down what worked before you forget

The year's best varieties, the crop rotation that suited your soil, the tomato that ripened earliest — all of this is in your head right now. In March it will be gone. Spend 15 minutes writing it down. A simple note on your phone or a notebook kept in the shed is enough. Future-you will be very grateful.