December · Early winter
What to sow in December in Tokyo
15 crops are in their window this month in Tokyo — timed to your local frost dates.
Last frost≈ 8 Mar
First frost≈ 18 Dec
Frost-free days17 days
December averages4°–13°C
Vegetables
6 in season
Celeriac
Start indoors · sow indoors early — celeriac takes months to bulk up
Celery
Start indoors · keep soil consistently moist for tender, mild stalks
Garlic
Plant cloves · plant pointy-side up for straight, strong shoots
Radishes
Direct sow · harvest promptly once mature or roots go pithy
Rhubarb
Plant crowns · stop picking by midsummer to let the plant recover
Herbs
5 in season
Chives
Start indoors · perennial clumps, snip leaves for repeat harvests
Lemongrass
Start indoors · pot it up in fall and bring indoors before frost
Oregano
Start indoors · slow from seed, keep soil warm to germinate
Parsley
Start indoors · slow to sprout, soak seeds overnight first
Thyme
Start indoors · needs warmth and light to germinate, be patient
Fruit
4 in season
Blackberries
Plant canes · thornless varieties are easiest for small gardens
Currants
Plant canes · prune out canes older than three years each winter
Gooseberries
Plant canes · mind the thorns; pick slightly underripe for pies
Raspberries
Plant canes · ever-bearing types fruit the first autumn