What to Plant in December
December brings the Florida Zone 9 garden fully into the cool season. Crisp mornings and milder afternoons create excellent conditions for growing leafy greens, root vegetables, brassicas, and colorful winter flowers in raised beds, pots, and grow bags.
December at a Glance
The cool-season garden is now in full swing. December is a good month to continue sowing quick-growing crops while adding another round of vegetables for later harvests. Growth may slow as days become shorter, and gardeners should be prepared to protect tender plants if freezing temperatures are forecast.
Vegetables
December favors cool-season vegetables. Root crops and many leafy greens can be sown directly into the garden, while additional brassicas and greens can be started for transplanting and succession planting.
Direct Sow in the Garden
Carrots
Sow directly into loose, stone-free soil. Keep the surface consistently moist while the small seeds are germinating.
Beets
Sow directly into raised beds or containers. Young beet greens can also be harvested while the roots develop.
Radishes
Plant small batches every couple of weeks for quick harvests throughout the cool season.
Turnips
Direct sow for both tender roots and edible greens. Give developing roots enough room as seedlings grow.
English Peas
Sow directly in a sunny location. Provide a trellis or other support for climbing varieties.
Arugula
Direct sow for tender leaves and continue planting small amounts for repeated harvests.
Leaf Lettuce
Sow small amounts at intervals so fresh leaves mature over several weeks instead of all at once.
Mustard Greens
Direct sow into garden beds, pots, or grow bags for a dependable cool-season leafy crop.
Spinach
Sow directly during cool weather and keep the soil evenly moist while seedlings become established.
Swiss Chard
Direct sow into fertile soil and thin young seedlings to provide enough space for mature plants.
Start for Transplanting Later
Broccoli
Start another small round of seeds for transplanting later and extending the harvest through the cool season.
Cabbage
Start seeds in cells or small pots for transplanting when established seedlings have several healthy leaves.
Cauliflower
Start seeds in a protected area and grow sturdy seedlings before moving them into fertile garden soil.
Brussels Sprouts
Start seeds for transplanting into a sunny location where plants will have plenty of room to mature.
Kale
Start another succession of kale for later transplanting into garden beds and containers.
Celery
Start seeds for later transplanting. Celery appreciates steady moisture and rich soil as plants develop.
Flowers
December is a wonderful month for cool-season color. Many flowers that dislike Florida's summer heat thrive during the milder days and chilly nights of the winter garden.
Direct Sow in the Garden
Calendula
Sow directly into sunny beds or containers for cheerful flowers during the cool growing season.
Sweet Alyssum
Sow lightly over prepared soil for low-growing clusters of small fragrant flowers.
Baby's Breath
Sow directly in a sunny location with well-drained soil for delicate cool-season flowers.
Delphinium
December's cooler conditions provide an opportunity to grow this cool-season favorite in a sunny, well-prepared location.
Start for Transplanting Later
Snapdragons
Start seeds in trays or small containers for transplanting into sunny beds and containers during the winter season.
Pansies
Start seeds or set out young plants for classic winter color in containers and garden beds.
Violas
Start seeds for compact cool-season plants that perform well in beds, borders, and containers.
Dianthus
Start seeds for transplanting into sunny garden spaces where plants can enjoy the cooler weather.
Petunias
Start seeds in a protected location or transplant established plants into sunny beds and containers.
Verbena
Start plants for winter color in sunny containers, borders, and garden beds with good drainage.
December Planting Notes
- Shorter December days may slow plant growth even when temperatures are comfortable.
- Continue succession sowing lettuce, radishes, arugula, and other quick-growing vegetables instead of planting the entire crop at once.
- Check soil moisture before watering. Raised beds, pots, and grow bags may stay moist longer during cool December weather than they do during summer.
- Continue watching broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and related crops for caterpillar damage.
- Pay close attention to nighttime weather forecasts and be prepared to protect young or tender plants when freezing temperatures are expected.
- Cool-season flowers such as pansies, violas, snapdragons, dianthus, petunias, and alyssum can bring color to beds and containers throughout the winter garden.