December Lowcountry Almanac

A cozy guide to the Lowcountry’s quiet season

Story by Bailey Gilliam

December feels like a deep breath after a busy year. The crowds are gone, the air is crisp but mild, and the Lowcountry’s beauty takes on a softer glow. Pine trees and live oaks sparkle with holiday lights, while locals trade swimsuits for sweaters and fill their days with beach walks, oyster roasts and festive gatherings. It’s a season for slowing down and soaking up the peace that defines winter in the Deep South. With insights from the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac and Grow Great Vegetables South Carolina, this guide will help you make the most of December.

Night & day

The days shrink quickly now, with earlier sunsets made even sharper by the time change on Nov. 2. 

Sunrise: 7:05 a.m.-7:40 a.m. (later each day) 

Sunset: 5:17 p.m.-6:32 p.m. (earlier each day)

Weather predictions

This month’s forecast calls for an extra blanket, a warm drink and a front-row seat to the beauty of winter in the Lowcountry. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it’s expected to be slightly cooler and drier than usual this year, with the rare chance of snow adding a touch of wonder to the season.

Average temperature: 47 degrees (2 degrees below average)
Rainfall: 2 inches (2 inches below average)

Forecast by week

Dec. 1-3: Rainy and warm

Dec. 4-19: Sunny; mild, then turning cold

Dec. 20-21: Cold. Snowstorms possible!

Dec. 22-27: Sunny and milder

Dec. 28-31: Sunny, then showers; chilly

Astronomical events

Bundle up, head outside, and let
the stillness of a Lowcountry night wash over you.

Dec. 4: The full Cold Moon, or Long Night Moon, rises around 4:45 p.m. and glows through the night, signaling winter’s arrival.

Dec. 13-14: The Geminid meteor shower peaks, offering up to 120 meteors per hour under dark skies. 

Dec. 19-20: A new moon brings ideal dark skies for stargazing and spotting faint constellations.

Dec. 21: The winter solstice arrives at 4:03 a.m., marking the year’s shortest day and the slow return of light.

Dec. 21-22: The Ursid meteor shower peaks, producing about 10 meteors per hour from Ursa Minor in the pre-dawn hours.

In the garden

December is a time to pause, take stock of what thrived
and what didn’t, and give both yourself and your garden a
little rest before the next growing season. 

Prep: Make notes about this year’s successes and challenges so you’re ready, come spring. Finish your garden cleanup, tidy and oil tools, check that row covers are secure, and pull any lingering weeds before winter sets in.

Plant: While much of the garden is resting, there are still chances to keep things growing. Even in the quiet of winter, the garden still gives, just at a gentler pace. Plant potatoes and onions, or sow short-day bulbing and bunching onions in a cold frame or hoop house. You also can plant carrots, beets and hardy greens under cover to keep fresh produce coming through the colder weeks.

Harvest: This month’s harvest may surprise you. Fresh picks include arugula, beets, bok choi, cabbage, carrots, celery, Chinese cabbage, cilantro, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsley, parsnips, radishes, rosemary, rutabaga, spinach, thyme and turnips.

Best days

Looking for the right moment to get things done? The moon’s phases offer gentle guidance on timing everything from fishing trips to festive fun: