• It is possible to grow winter-hardy vegetables in December.Bed of ornamental cabbage, or kale, focus on white leaves image by GeoM from Fotolia.com
  
  In North America and Europe, December is not commonly considered the peak of the growing season. In most places there people are huddled indoors, sheltered from the snow and cold weather. You can grow vegetables in December, however, and they don't even need to be indoors. Plant winter-hardy vegetables, and use cold frames, cloches and greenhouses to protect your crops.
  
  

Growing Leafy Vegetables in December

• Collard greens are a southern favorite for December vegetable gardens.collard greens image by Jo?¡êo Freitas from Fotolia.com
  
  Although we usually think of green leafy vegetables as tender, it is possible to grow greens in winter. You just need to think outside the grocery store box. Kale, swiss chard, and collard greens are December staples that you can plant in June or July for an end-of-the-year crop, grown in a cold frame or a miniature greenhouse and covered in a thick but transparent plastic film. Grow these plants in a sheltered spot, or in movable pots so they'll survive the winter snows.
  
  

Growing Root Vegetables in December

• Parsnips taste better as the weather gets colder.parsnip image by Jakub Cejpek from Fotolia.com
  
  Some root vegetables actually taste sweeter after exposure to winter frosts. Sow parsnips in the late winter for a harvest in the fall, but keep them in the ground until the following January. They'll be sweeter with each frost, but are excellent when harvested in December. Plant beets in the summer and harvest well into winter, too. Ensure that rows remain somewhat protected from snow by placing sturdy row covers over the crops.
  
  

Fall Crops That Extend Into Winter

• Put a mini-greenhouse or row cover over fall crops to extend the growing season.greenhouse image by tofuwarrior from Fotolia.com
  
  In milder climates it's possible to grow a final crop of peas, radishes, lettuce, and spinach, even though the days are getting shorter and cooler. If you live in the Pacific Northwest or another mild climate, try planting these in August or September. Harvest them throughout the fall. As the weather becomes colder, place a plastic cloche---try a trimmed, one-gallon plastic milk bottle, or 2-liter soda bottle---to shelter your plants. Or put a miniature plastic greenhouse or plastic row cover over the peas. You may be able to harvest fall crops as late as early December.