What to Sow and Grow in Raised Garden Bed in December

December is the quietest month of the year for gardens. The areas of the United States that are still available for planting are 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b. In fact, garden planting and Christmas preparations can be done together. A raised bed full of hardy crops will add a more green atmosphere to your Christmas than a dormant garden. There are plants with a short growing cycle that can still be used in your Christmas feast, or you can enjoy the fruits of your previous year's labour in early spring if you start December planting now. This is a perfect planting season. Here is the planting calendar for December in the US and UK.

December Planting Calendar in USA and UK

USA plants calendar in December

Planting in USA - Zone 7A/7B
Sow seed: Asparagus, Onion

Planting in USA - Zone 8A/8B
Sow seed: Asparagus, Onion, Rutabaga (Swedes)
Plant in seed trays and transplant in 4-6 weeks: Celery , Yacon ( Sunroot)

Planting in USA - Zone 9A
Sow seed: Angelica, Beetroot (Beets), Carrot, Chicory (Witloof, Belgian endive), Corn Salad (Lamb's lettuce or Mache), Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchoke), Kohlrabi, Mizuna (Japanese Greens, Mitzuna, Mibuna), NZ Spinach (Warrigal greens), Pak Choy (Pak choi), Radish, Rutabaga (Swedes), Shallots (Eschalots), Spinach, Spring onions (Scallions, Bunching onions, Welsh onion), Turnip
Plant in seed trays and transplant in 4-6 weeks: Cape Gooseberry (Golden Berry, Inca Berry), Celeriac, Celery.

Planting in USA - Zone 9B
Sow seed: Beetroot (Beets), Cardoon, Carrot, Chicory (Witloof, Belgian endive), Corn Salad (Lamb's lettuce or Mache), Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchoke), Kale (Borecole), Kohlrabi, Mizuna (Japanese Greens, Mitzuna, Mibuna), NZ Spinach (Warrigal greens), Onion, Pak Choy (Pak choi), Radish, Rutabaga (Swedes), Shallots (Eschalots), Spinach, Spring onions (Scallions, Bunching onions, Welsh onion), Turnip.
Plant in seed trays and transplant in 4-6 weeks: Cape Gooseberry (Golden Berry, Inca Berry ), Celeriac, Celery

Planting in USA - Zone 10A
Sow seed: Angelica, Asparagus, Beetroot (Beets), Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chilli peppers (Hot peppers), Chives (Garden chives), Collards (Collard greens, Borekale), Kale (Borecole), Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mizuna (Japanese Greens, Mitzuna, Mibuna), Mustard greens (gai choy), Onion, Peas, Radish, Rutabaga (Swedes), Salsify (Vegetable oyster), Shallots (Eschalots), Spring onions (Scallions, Bunching onions, Welsh onion), Sunflower, Sweet Potato (Kumara), Turnip.
Plant in seed trays and transplant in 4-6 weeks: Artichokes (Globe), Capsicum (Bell peppers, Sweet peppers), Celeriac, Tomatillo. Transplant seedlings: Broccoli

Planting in USA - Zone 10B
Sow seed: Angelica, Beetroot (Beets), Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chives (Garden chives), Collards (Collard greens, Borekale), Kale (Borecole), Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mizuna (Japanese Greens, Mitzuna, Mibuna), Mustard greens ( gai choy), NZ Spinach (Warrigal greens), Okra (Ladyfinger, gumbo), Peas, Radish, Rutabaga (Swedes), Salsify (Vegetable oyster), Shallots (Eschalots), Spinach, Spring onions (Scallions, Bunching onions, Welsh onion), Sunflower, Tomato, Turnip.
Plant in seed trays and transplant in 4-6 weeks: Capsicum (Bell peppers, Sweet peppers), Celeriac, Tomatillo. Transplant seedlings: Broccoli

Planting in USA - Zone 11A/11B
Sow seed: Borage (Burrage, Bugloss), Capsicum (Bell peppers, Sweet peppers), Daikon (Japanese radish, Lo Bok), Dill, Fennel (Bronze fennel), Florence Fennel (Finocchio), Mizuna(Japanese Greens, Mitzuna, Mibuna), Potato, Sunflower, Sweet Potato (Kumara), Tomato.
Plant in seed trays or transplant seedlings or sow seed: Cucumber

Planting in USA - Zone 12A
Sow seed: Coriander (Cilantro, Chinese parsley), Dill, Fennel (Bronze fennel), Florence Fennel (Finocchio), Luffa (Loofah, plant sponge), Oregano (Pot Marjoram), Savory - summer savory ('Bean Herb'), Zucchini (Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash).
Plant in seed trays or transplant seedlings or sow seed: Cucumber

Planting in USA - Zone 12B
Sow seed: Cape Gooseberry (Golden Berry, Inca Berry ), Dill, Fennel (Bronze fennel), Florence Fennel (Finocchio), Luffa (Loofah, plant sponge), Savory - summer savory ('Bean Herb').
Plant in seed trays or transplant seedlings or sow seed: Cucumber

Planting in USA - Zone 13A
Sow seed: Beans - climbing (Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners), Beans - dwarf (French beans, Bush beans), Capsicum (Bell peppers, Sweet peppers), Dill, Luffa (Loofah, plant sponge), Marrow, Tomato.

Planting in USA - Zone 13B
Sow seed: Beans - climbing (Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners), Beans - dwarf (French beans, Bush beans), Capsicum (Bell peppers, Sweet peppers), Chilli peppers (Hot peppers), Dill, Luffa (Loofah, plant sponge), Marrow, Thyme ( Common thyme), Tomato.

UK plants calendar in December

UK- Cool/temperate
Plant seed: Potato. Minimum temperature: 10-12C (50-55F)

UK- Warm/temperate
Plant in seed trays and transplant in 4-6 weeks: Beans - dwarf ( French beans, Bush beans) Minimum temperature 10-12C (50-55F)
Plant seed: Potato. Minimum temperature: 10-12C (50-55F)

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Conclusion

December is a time of great significance. Let's start planting and building a neat garden for Christmas cheer. Maybe the plants in your raised garden bed will even make an appearance at Christmas dinner.