Yep, You Can Garden All Winter in North Florida — Here’s What to Plant

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gardening in tally

Wondering what to plant in North Florida during December? Even though the weather is cooler, it’s still a fantastic time to work on your garden.

Tallahassee and North Florida’s mild winters make it possible to grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers that thrive in the cooler season.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, December offers plenty of opportunities to keep your garden flourishing while preparing for the spring ahead.

Tips

  1. Choose Cold-Hardy Plants: Stick with vegetables like kale, broccoli, and carrots, which thrive in cooler temperatures.
  2. Protect Against Frost: Be ready to cover sensitive plants with frost cloths or blankets during unexpected cold snaps.
  3. Amend Your Soil: Use compost or organic matter to enrich your soil, giving winter crops the nutrients they need to grow strong.
  4. Plant Garlic and Onions: These crops love the cooler season and will mature beautifully by spring.
  5. Use Mulch: Add a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and protect plant roots from fluctuating temperatures.
  6. Plan for Spring: Start sowing seeds indoors for spring plants like tomatoes and peppers to get a head start on the season.
  7. Water Wisely: While December might bring some rain, check your soil regularly and water only when needed to avoid overwatering.
  8. Monitor Pests: Cooler weather doesn’t eliminate garden pests completely, so keep an eye out for issues like aphids or caterpillars.

With these tips, your December garden in North Florida will thrive and set the stage for a bountiful growing season!

Here’s a comprehensive guide tailored to North Florida, detailing suitable leafy greens, vegetables, roots, flowering plants, berries, and herbs to plant this month.

gardening in tallahassee greens

Leafy Greens:

Plant Variety Suggestions Harvest Time (Days) Frost Care Planting Method Spacing
Spinach Bloomsdale Long Standing 40-50 Use row covers if temperatures drop below 20°F. Direct Sow 3-6 inches apart
Lettuce Buttercrunch, Romaine 30-60 Cover with frost blankets in freezing conditions. Direct Sow or Transplant 6-12 inches apart
Collards Georgia Southern 55-75 Improves flavor with light frost; protect against hard freeze. Transplant or Direct Sow 18-24 inches apart
Kale Lacinato, Red Russian 50-65 Very frost-hardy; no additional care needed. Direct Sow or Transplant 12-18 inches apart
Mustard Greens Florida Broadleaf 30-50 Protect from hard frost using row covers. Direct Sow 6-12 inches apart
Swiss Chard Bright Lights 50-60 Can tolerate light frost; mulch around plants for insulation. Direct Sow or Transplant 12-18 inches apart
Arugula Rocket Salad 20-40 Can handle light frost; provide protection during hard freezes. Direct Sow 4-6 inches apart
Asian Greens Tatsoi, Mizuna 21-40 Frost-tolerant; thrives in cool temperatures. Direct Sow or Transplant 6-12 inches apart
gardening in tally carrots

Vegetables and Roots:

Plant Variety Suggestions Harvest Time (Days) Frost Care Planting Method Spacing Sunlight
Carrot Danvers, Nantes 60-80 Use mulch for extended cold periods. Direct Sow 1-2 inches apart Full Sun
Radish Cherry Belle, French Breakfast 20-30 No frost care needed; cold-tolerant. Direct Sow 1-2 inches apart Full Sun
Turnip Purple Top White Globe 30-60 Cold-hardy; minimal frost care needed. Direct Sow 2-4 inches apart Full Sun to Partial Sun
Beet Detroit Dark Red 50-70 Protect seedlings from freezing temperatures. Direct Sow 2-4 inches apart Full Sun to Partial Sun
Onion Granex, Texas Sweet 100-120 No frost care needed; thrives in cold weather. Transplant or Direct Sow 3-4 inches apart Full Sun
Garlic Softneck Varieties 180-210 Mulch for insulation during frosty nights. Direct Sow (Cloves) 4-6 inches apart Full Sun
Broccoli Calabrese, Green Magic 70-100 Use row covers during hard frost. Transplant 18-24 inches apart Full Sun
Cauliflower Snowball, Early White 75-85 Cold-hardy; protect heads from frost damage. Transplant 18-24 inches apart Full Sun
Brussels Sprouts Jade Cross 90-120 Frost-tolerant; improves flavor after frost. Transplant 18-24 inches apart Full Sun
Potato Red Pontiac, Yukon Gold 70-100 Cover with mulch for protection from frost. Seed Pieces 10-12 inches apart Full Sun

Flowering Plants:

Plant Variety Suggestions Bloom Season Frost Care Planting Method Spacing Sunlight
Pansy Matrix Series Winter to Spring Tolerates light frost; mulch to protect roots. Transplant 6-8 inches apart Full Sun to Partial Shade
Viola Sorbet Series Winter to Spring Cold-hardy; minimal frost care needed. Transplant 6-8 inches apart Full Sun to Partial Shade
Petunia Wave Series Winter to Spring Protect from hard frost using row covers. Transplant 12-18 inches apart Full Sun
Snapdragon Rocket Series Winter to Spring Tolerates light frost; mulch around base. Transplant 6-12 inches apart Full Sun to Partial Shade
gardening in tallahassee black berries

Berries:

Berry Variety Suggestions Harvest Time Frost Care Planting Method Spacing Sunlight
Strawberry Camarosa, Sweet Charlie Spring Use row covers during frost events. Transplant 12-18 inches apart Full Sun

Herbs:

Herb Variety Suggestions Harvest Time (Days) Frost Care Planting Method Spacing Sunlight
Cilantro Santo 50-55 Protect from hard frost using row covers. Direct Sow 6-8 inches apart Full Sun to Partial Shade
Parsley Italian Flat Leaf 70-90 Tolerates light frost; mulch around base. Direct Sow or Transplant 6-8 inches apart Full Sun to Partial Shade
Dill Bouquet 60-70 Use row covers during freezing temperatures. Direct Sow 12 inches apart Full Sun
Chives Common Chives 80-90 Cold-hardy; minimal frost care needed. Direct Sow or Transplant 6-8 inches apart Full Sun to Partial Shade

 

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