Planting in December
The start of winter brings cooler weather to the state, so December is the month to focus on plants and vegetables that can bear lower temperatures.
Find out what you should plant this month with these suggestions based on the Florida climate zones. Take a look at the gardening region map to find your region.
North Florida
Bedding Plants: Add color to your winter garden by planting masses of pansy, petunia, snapdragon, lobelia, alyssum, and viola.
Bulbs: Amaryllis, a popular holiday-season plant, can be forced to bloom now or can be planted outdoors to bloom in spring.
Herbs: Gardeners in north Florida should plant parsley, dill, garlic, and cilantro, which thrive in the cool weather.
Vegetables: Plant cool-season vegetables, such as English pea, cabbage, radish, beet, and broccoli.
Central Florida
Bedding Plants: Add color by planting petunia, pansy, and snapdragon.
Bulbs: Force amaryllis to bloom for the holidays, or plant it outdoors for spring blooms.
Herbs: A variety of herbs can thrive in cool weather, including sage, fennel, and thyme.
Vegetables: Choose reliable cool-season vegetables this month. Try celery, cauliflower, lettuce, cabbage, and carrot.
South Florida
Bedding Plants: Plant masses of begonia, impatiens, and geranium to add color to your winter garden.
Bulbs: Try planting amaryllis, which can bloom now or in spring when planted outdoors.
Herbs: Opt for herbs that can survive cool weather, such as cilantro, dill, and fennel.
Vegetables: Plant cool-season vegetables, such as carrot, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce.
Adapted and excerpted from:
“Florida Gardening Calendar,” UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar (Accessed 11/2014).
Related Sites & Articles
- Hot Topics
- Cold Protection of Ornamental Plants
- Plants for Cold Weather
- Vegetable Gardening
- UF/IFAS Publications
- Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
