December: Planning & Winter Prep

December: Planning & Winter Prep

Introduction

December is a quieter month in the garden, but it’s still full of opportunity. While the outdoor beds rest, now’s the time to protect your gardens and wicking systems, start planning for spring, and even begin indoor seed starting for an early jump into the next growing season.

With LifeSpace Gardens powered by GardenWells sub-irrigation, your systems stay stable through winter, maintaining healthy soil structure and moisture levels until the growing season kicks off again.

Reservoir Rhythm for December

Cool winter temperatures drastically slow plant growth, meaning SIP refills are minimal. Expect to refill your GardenWells reservoirs roughly once a month, depending on rainfall and temperatures. Use your WaterStem to check levels — when the Hummingbird rises, you’re good to go.

Pro Tip: Avoid overfilling during heavy rains — your GardenWells hold water efficiently, and excess water will drain away.

Reservoir vs. Top-Watering Comparison for December

Watering Method Average Refill Frequency Water Efficiency Plant Stress Risk Maintenance Level
GardenWells Wicking Bed Every 25–30 days ★★★★★ (90%+ retained) Very low — SIPs protect against soil drying Minimal
Traditional Top Watering Every 7–10 days ★★☆☆☆ (55% retained) Moderate — top layers freeze/dry quickly High
Hand-Watering Containers Every 3–4 days ★☆☆☆☆ (35% retained) High — small volumes dry rapidly Intensive

Key Gardening Tasks for December

1. Protect Your Garden

  • Cover overwintering crops with frost cloths or tunnels to shield from deep freezes.

  • Mulch heavily to insulate your soil and protect perennial roots.

2. Start Planning for Spring

  • Review last season’s successes and challenges to refine planting plans.

  • Order seeds now to secure specialty varieties before they sell out.

3. Start Early Indoor Crops (Optional)

  • Begin herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro under grow lights.

  • Start long-season veggies like onions, leeks, and celery indoors to transplant in early spring.

4. Care for Your Gardens

  • Add natural enzymes to your GardenWells reservoirs if leaving beds dormant to help break down organic mater and convert it to nutrients.

  • Check the WaterStem and Hummingbird and OverFlow for proper winter function.

🌟 Veggie of the Month: Parsley

Parsley thrives indoors through winter and brings fresh, vibrant flavor to cold-weather dishes.

Quick Parsley Tips:

  • Planting: Sow indoors in a sunny windowsill or under grow lights.

  • Watering: Keep soil slightly moist; SIP inserts make indoor growing easy.

  • Bonus Tip: Interplant parsley with basil in CondoFarms planters for kitchen-to-table convenience.

📘 Read the Full Parsley Growing Guide →

What to Plant, Start, Transplant & Harvest in December

Action Veggies & Herbs
Direct-Seed Outdoors (only in mild climates) Garlic, Spinach, Arugula, Mache
Start Indoors Parsley, Cilantro, Basil, Chives, Onions, Leeks, Celery
Transplant Now (greenhouse or protected setups) Spinach, Kale, Chives
Harvest This Month Kale, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Parsley, Cilantro, Mache

Out-of-the-Box: Start Your Garden Today

Just unboxed your LifeSpace Garden? In December, focus on:

  • Starting indoor herbs like parsley, basil, and cilantro for winter harvests.

  • Protecting your outdoor beds with mulch and frost covers.

  • Using your WaterStem to keep reservoirs topped as needed while your Hummingbird indicator tracks moisture levels.

💡 Product Tips

December is the perfect time to reset, plan, and prepare:

Back to A Year in Your LifeSpace Garden