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
- Choose Cold-Hardy Plants: Stick with vegetables like kale, broccoli, and carrots, which thrive in cooler temperatures.
- Protect Against Frost: Be ready to cover sensitive plants with frost cloths or blankets during unexpected cold snaps.
- Amend Your Soil: Use compost or organic matter to enrich your soil, giving winter crops the nutrients they need to grow strong.
- Plant Garlic and Onions: These crops love the cooler season and will mature beautifully by spring.
- Use Mulch: Add a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and protect plant roots from fluctuating temperatures.
- Plan for Spring: Start sowing seeds indoors for spring plants like tomatoes and peppers to get a head start on the season.
- Water Wisely: While December might bring some rain, check your soil regularly and water only when needed to avoid overwatering.
- 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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
