December still offers useful harvests from UK vegetable gardens and allotments. Brussels sprouts, winter leeks, kale, parsnips, swedes and winter cabbage are among the main crops ready to pick, while established winter salads may provide smaller harvests.
Many hardy vegetables can remain outdoors throughout winter, although frost, heavy rain and frozen ground can make harvesting difficult. The key is knowing what to pick now, what can stay growing and what to collect before severe weather arrives.
For a year-round overview, see our UK Harvest Calendar.
December Harvest at a Glance
December harvests mainly come from hardy vegetables established earlier in the year. Availability depends on variety, location and winter conditions.
| Crop group | What may be ready | December conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Winter brassicas | Brussels sprouts, kale, cavolo nero, winter cabbage, winter cauliflower | Established plants and suitable varieties |
| Hardy roots & tubers | Parsnips, swedes, celeriac, Jerusalem artichokes | Mature roots; assess soil conditions |
| Other roots | Carrots, beetroot, turnips, winter radishes | Earlier crops, suitable protection |
| Winter leeks | Hardy winter leeks | Harvest as needed where ground allows |
| Winter salads | Spinach, chard, winter lettuce, corn salad, mizuna, rocket | Established plants, often protected |
| Hardy herbs | Rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley | Small harvests; growth slows considerably |
Sheltered southern gardens may retain crops that have finished on exposed or northern allotments.
Stored potatoes, onions, squash and apples may also be available to eat, but these are not normally fresh December harvests.
What Vegetables Can You Harvest in December?
Browse the crop groups below for December harvesting advice, with links to the relevant growing and harvesting guides.
December is a prime month for Brussels sprouts, winter leeks and hardy brassicas. Pick firm sprouts from the bottom upwards, harvest outer kale and cavolo nero leaves, and lift mature leeks as needed.
Winter cabbage and suitable cauliflower varieties may also be ready. Protect plants from pigeons and wind damage, leaving traditional spring-cropping purple sprouting broccoli to develop.
Parsnips, swedes and Jerusalem artichokes can often remain in well-drained soil until needed. Celeriac can also remain in well-drained soil through winter, although prolonged waterlogging or frozen ground may make lifting mature roots more practical.
Protected carrots, beetroot, turnips and winter radishes may still be available. Lift vulnerable roots before damaging frost and avoid digging frozen or saturated ground.
Established spinach, winter lettuce, Swiss chard, corn salad, mizuna and rocket may provide small December harvests, particularly under cover. Suitable pak choi and winter purslane may also remain available.
Pick healthy outer leaves sparingly, as regrowth is slow during the shortest days. Check protected crops for slugs, frost damage and rotting foliage.
Harvesting Vegetables for Christmas Dinner
A homegrown Christmas dinner is possible with Brussels sprouts, parsnips, swedes and winter cabbage.
Check crops about a week before Christmas and harvest mature vegetables as needed. If prolonged freezing weather is forecast, lift enough roots before the ground becomes difficult to work. Firm Brussels sprouts can be picked as they mature rather than left until Christmas Day.
Stored potatoes, onions and carrots can also contribute to the meal. Specialist Christmas potatoes are possible with suitable growing conditions and frost protection, although they’re not a typical December allotment harvest.
Fruit & Stored Produce in December
Very little fresh fruit is reliably harvested outdoors during December in the UK.
Most apples and pears eaten during winter were picked earlier and stored. Late medlars are an occasional exception rather than a dependable December harvest.
Stored potatoes, onions, pumpkins and winter squash can also provide useful food throughout the month. Check stored produce regularly and remove anything showing signs of rot or deterioration.
Produce available to eat in December isn’t necessarily produce harvested in December.
Fresh Herbs & Protected Harvests
Hardy December Herbs
Rosemary, thyme, sage and established parsley may provide small harvests throughout December.
Pick healthy leaves or occasional sprigs without heavily cutting plants back. Growth is slow during winter, and tender herbs such as basil are not reliable outdoor crops.
Greenhouse and Polytunnel Harvests
Greenhouses, polytunnels and cold frames can extend the harvesting season for winter lettuce, spinach, rocket and corn salad.
Established crops may remain harvestable after outdoor plants have stopped, although replacement growth is minimal.
Ventilate when conditions allow, remove damaged foliage and avoid excessive watering. Unheated greenhouses do not prevent every frost.
What Should You Harvest or Leave Growing in December?
December isn’t a deadline for clearing the allotment. Many hardy crops can remain outdoors, but frozen soil and prolonged wet weather may make harvesting more difficult.
| Crop or condition | Best approach |
|---|---|
| Brussels sprouts and kale | Harvest gradually, leaving healthy growth |
| Hardy winter leeks | Lift as needed where soil conditions allow |
| Parsnips and swedes | Leave in suitable soil or lift before prolonged freezing |
| Celeriac | Protect or lift where severe weather threatens |
| Jerusalem artichokes | Dig as needed while ground remains workable |
| Mature beetroot | Protect or lift before damaging frost |
| Winter salads | Pick small quantities from established plants |
When to Harvest Before Severe Weather
Hardy roots can tolerate cold conditions, but frozen ground may prevent access to them. Consider lifting enough for the coming days if prolonged freezing is expected.
Mulching established root crops can help insulate the soil, while waterlogged ground may justify lifting mature storage vegetables earlier.
Avoid digging or walking across saturated beds, particularly on heavy clay. Keep bird netting secure over brassicas and check tall Brussels sprout plants after strong winds.
Use our UK Frost Map to check forecast overnight temperatures and identify potential frost risk.
What to Do After Harvesting
December harvesting often takes place in cold, wet conditions, so handle crops carefully and avoid unnecessary soil disturbance.
Lifting, Storing & Protecting Crops
Loosen root vegetables with a garden fork before lifting, taking care not to damage them.
Select firm, healthy produce for storage and use damaged vegetables promptly. Remove most leafy tops without cutting into the crowns, then store suitable roots in appropriate cool, protected conditions.
Keep remaining brassicas protected from pigeons and remove badly damaged or rotting foliage.
Looking After Cleared Beds
Remove diseased material and unnecessary weeds once harvesting has finished. Compost or organic mulch can help protect exposed soil until spring.
Garlic may still be planted in suitable well-drained ground, provided the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
December is also a useful time to plan next year’s growing areas.
Use the free Allotment Planner to organise your beds and plan what will follow your winter harvests.
Looking ahead? See What to Harvest in January UK for next month’s potential harvests.
FAQs: What to Harvest in December UK
December harvests include Brussels sprouts, winter leeks, kale, cavolo nero, winter cabbage, parsnips, swedes and Jerusalem artichokes. Celeriac, protected roots and established winter salads may also remain available.
Yes. Many Brussels sprout varieties are ready during December. Pick firm, tightly closed sprouts from the bottom upwards, leaving smaller ones to develop.
Yes. Parsnips tolerate cold weather and may become sweeter after frost. However, frozen ground makes lifting difficult, so collect enough beforehand if prolonged freezing is expected.
Yes. Hardy winter leek varieties can remain outdoors through December and often into the new year. Lift mature stems as needed while the soil remains workable.
Yes. Established winter lettuce, spinach and other hardy salads can provide small harvests, particularly under protection. Pick outer leaves sparingly because growth is very slow.
There are very few dependable fresh fruit harvests during December. Most apples and pears were harvested earlier and stored, while occasional late medlars are an exception.
