December · Early winter

What to sow in December in Madrid

7 crops are in their window this month in Madrid — timed to your local frost dates.

Last frost≈ 22 Mar
First frost≈ 2 Dec
Frost-free days1 days
December averages4°–11°C

Vegetables

3 in season
Celeriac
Start indoors · sow indoors early — celeriac takes months to bulk up
Opens 28 Dec
Celery
Start indoors · keep soil consistently moist for tender, mild stalks
Opens 28 Dec
Rhubarb
Plant crowns · stop picking by midsummer to let the plant recover
Opens 2 Dec

Herbs · nothing to sow this month

Fruit

4 in season
Blackberries
Plant canes · thornless varieties are easiest for small gardens
Opens 2 Dec
Currants
Plant canes · prune out canes older than three years each winter
Opens 2 Dec
Gooseberries
Plant canes · mind the thorns; pick slightly underripe for pies
Opens 2 Dec
Raspberries
Plant canes · ever-bearing types fruit the first autumn
Opens 2 Dec