What to sow and grow in in December.

You might think that there isn't much to be doing on your food growing patch at this time of the year, but there is still lots that can be done. If you're considering planting some fruit trees or bushes, now is the month to do it. You should find lots of bare root bushes online or in nurseries. Things like Gooseberry, several different coloured Currant bushes, Blueberries, Jostaberries and one I've always wanted to grow, Japanese Wine Berry.

From December through to March is the ideal time to plant fruit trees, bushes, Raspberry canes, Tayberries and Strawberries as the plants are in their dormant stage. Just as long as the soil is workable, and not frozen or waterlogged they will be fine.

The other things you can still direct sow is Garlic and Broad Beans, or if you'd prefer, you can start them off in modules under cover and then plant them out in a couple of weeks when they have germinated. I've just planted some Elephant Garlic in my poly tunnel that I sprouted in my kitchen in small individual glasses with just the base of the clove touching some water. They only took a few days to come alive and grow some lovely sturdy roots.

You can still get Garlic bulbs, and over wintering Onion and Shallot sets to go in. It's a bit early to sow Onion seeds, that's something for the New Year.

As mentioned last month, hardy Peas can be started either for an early harvest in the spring or for Pea shoots that can be grown on a sunny windowsill. Or how about Spinach for baby leaves for salads.

And don't forget some herbs which can also be started off indoors like Coriander and Parsley and then planted out in the spring.