My Garden - December 2025

Dear Gentle Reader, 

December is the 12th and final month of the year, with 31 days, named from the Latin decem (ten) because it was the tenth month in the early Roman calendar before January and February were added. It marks winter's start in the Northern Hemisphere (with the Winter Solstice) and summer in the Southern, bringing holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, alongside winter traditions, festive lights, cozy pubs, and opportunities for both winter sports and warm-weather getaways. 

Key Facts

Length: 31 days.

Position: The last month of the year.

Name Origin: Latin decem, meaning "ten" (the original 10th month).

Season: Winter in Northern Hemisphere, Summer in Southern Hemisphere. 

Traditions & Activities

Holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve.

Northern Hemisphere: Winter Solstice (around Dec 21/22), Christmas markets, cozy pubs, winter hikes.

Southern Hemisphere: Summer activities, beach holidays.

In Ireland: Winter Lights festivals, traditional music in pubs, Handel's Messiah performances. 

Symbolism & Culture

Flower: Narcissus.

Birthstone: Turquoise.

Themes: Fresh starts, clarity, and a time for reflection as the year ends. , with 31 days, named from the Latin decem (ten) because it was the tenth month in the early Roman calendar before January and February were added. It marks winter's start in the Northern Hemisphere (with the Winter Solstice) and summer in the Southern, bringing holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, alongside winter traditions, festive lights, cozy pubs, and opportunities for both winter sports and warm-weather getaways. 

Key Facts

Length: 31 days.

Traditions & Activities

Holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve.

Symbolism & Culture

Flower: Narcissus.

One would think that once the frost set in ones garden the giving season is over. Far from it. The onion and garlic sets are sprouting nicely, the kale is still standing proud, and the sprouts are ready for Christmas. The greenhouses are full of life too. The kiwi is still alive, new grapes have been potted and once they establish, they'll be planted outside. This grape is coming from all the way home from my parents garden.

on the scale is the leftover sprouts, we harvested twice ass much. 

Winter is also the time of taking stock of seeds, ordering fresh and unique seeds, then planning for next year. I already have ordered some tomatoes, lettuce, melon, etc seeds. I can't wait for spring now 😁🍈🍅🍇🍎🍐🍒🥝🍆🥕🌽🥒🧄🫜

Today (New Year's Eve) we woke up to a frozen world. Everything was white and still, the frozen dew sparkling in the morning sun added to this stillness. Everything is dreaming, dormant waiting for spring to wake up and start the circle of life once more. We are just hours away from the new year and I would like extend my sincerest wishes to you for a healthy, happy, joyful and peaceful 2026. 

May your gardens flourish with harvests every month of the year. God bless you always.

Wishing you all the best, 

Anna