Garden Guide December

December Gardening Guide for the Pacific Northwest

As December settles in, gardens across the Pacific Northwest display their winter hues. Leaves mold into the soil, flower stalks sway in the chilly wind, and the garden whispers of past abundance while holding the promise of renewal. Amid the bare branches and muted tones, the last apples, persimmons, and vibrant holiday decorations remind us of nature's enduring cycles. Evergreen boughs and festive garlands symbolize rebirth as we turn inward for winter festivities and planning.

While much of the garden sleeps, you can keep your green thumb busy by sowing seeds indoors. Here’s how you can make the most of December, bringing new life to the darker days.

Vegetables and Herbs to Sow Indoors

Even as outdoor planting slows, December offers an opportunity to sow:

• Chives, Leeks, Bulbing Onions, and Scallions (Onion Family)
  These versatile alliums thrive when started early under controlled conditions. Their slow germination benefits from the added warmth and light of indoor growing setups. By the time spring arrives, they'll be ready for the garden, providing a flavorful and nutritious foundation for meals.

• Alpine Strawberries (Rose Family)
  Starting these petite, fragrant berries indoors ensures they have a strong head start for spring. Their delicate growth benefits from the cozy, consistent indoor environment, rewarding you with fruit faster when transplanted outdoors.

Flowers to Sow Indoors

For those craving color at the first sign of spring, consider starting these blooms indoors:

• Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.)
  Their cheerful flowers are a delightful reminder of warmer days and can be transplanted under cloches by spring for early bursts of color.

• Snapdragons (Antirrhinum spp.)
  These vibrant, classic blooms bring charm and attract early pollinators when transplanted.

• Yarrow (Achillea spp.)
  With its feathery foliage and beneficial pollinator-attracting flowers, yarrow is a multifunctional plant perfect for permaculture gardens.

• Pansies (Viola tricolor spp. and Viola spp.)
  Cold-hardy and cheerful, pansies brighten up late-winter gardens and containers when started early indoors.

Eco-Restore Can Help

Eco-Restore Consulting & Design is here to guide your gardening journey, even in the quieter months. Our services include:

• Personalized seed-starting plans tailored to your garden’s unique microclimate.

• Indoor gardening setups, including light and heat configurations for successful winter sowing.

• Seasonal guidance to help your garden reflect the cycles of nature while preparing for spring abundance.

Let us help you nurture a thriving, resilient garden year-round. Get in touch for a Garden Visit to discuss how your winter sowing fits into the larger vision of your outdoor space.

Edible Flowers: Beauty and Functionality

Integrating edible flowers into your garden not only enhances its visual appeal but also supports beneficial insects and provides a unique culinary element. These blooms can attract pollinators, repel pests, and add color and flavor to your meals. By incorporating them among your perennials or at the edges of vegetable beds, you create a garden that is as functional as it is beautiful.

Many edible flowers will naturalize or self-sow, reducing the need for replanting each year. With thoughtful planning, your garden can provide a continuous harvest of blossoms for both people and pollinators.

Here’s a selection of edible flowers to inspire your planting:

• Herbs and Vegetables with Edible Blooms:
  Basil, chives, cilantro, fennel, mint, mustard, oregano, rosemary, sage (including pineapple sage and Jerusalem sage), thyme.

• Classic Edibles:
  Calendula, carnations, chrysanthemums, daisies (English daisy and others), daylilies, dianthus, hollyhock, nasturtiums, pansies, snap peas, strawberries, sunflowers, sweet violets.

• Unique Choices:
  Anise hyssop, begonia, fuchsia, love-in-a-mist, sweet rocket, tangerine sage, and sweet cicely.

• Seasonal Favorites:
  Pumpkins, squash, and radish flowers.

• Perennial Blooms:
  Johnny jump-ups, lavender, marjoram, mallow, clover, and red dead nettle.

By planting these in strategic locations—along pathways, at the ends of rows, or mixed within vegetable beds—you enhance the aesthetics of your garden while fostering biodiversity and sustainability.

Eco-Restore Can Help

Whether you’re creating an edible flower border, expanding your perennial garden, or designing a pollinator-friendly landscape, Eco-Restore Consulting & Design is here to assist. We can guide you in selecting varieties that suit your soil, climate, and aesthetic preferences, helping you cultivate a garden that harmonizes beauty, functionality, and ecological health.

Bring a touch of vibrancy to your winter plans and spring planting—schedule a Garden Visit to explore edible flowers and more!

Celebrate the Season

This December, enjoy the quiet beauty of the winter garden, savor your favorite cup of tea with a friend while sharing seed catalogs, and take time to reflect on the year ahead. With a little planning and creativity, your indoor sowing efforts can set the stage for a vibrant spring.