What to Plant in December in Australia
Pick your region below to see exactly what to sow this month.
December across Australia
December is the start of summer and the Christmas harvest season. Summer crops planted in September and October are growing strongly. Tomatoes, beans, and zucchini should be producing their first fruit. The focus this month is on watering, harvesting, and succession planting quick crops like lettuce and radish to keep the kitchen supplied through the holidays.
Select your region above to see a personalised list, or jump to your regional December page below.
Select a region above to see your December planting list.
December Planting by Region
Jump straight to your regional December planting guide for full details, downloadable PDF calendars, and crop tables.
Subtropical. Mild winter, wide planting range.
Warm temperate. Frost-free coast, cooler inland.
Subtropical. Mild winter, long growing season.
Tropical. Dry season, great for warm-season crops.
Tropical. Wet season starting, limited window.
Cool temperate. Frost likely, ideal for brassicas.
Mediterranean. Cool wet winters, reliable greens.
Mediterranean. Mild winter, broad planting window.
Cool temperate. Early summer, peak growing.
Cool continental. Heavy frost, short planting window.
December Gardening Tips
Water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day. Deep watering encourages roots to grow downward, making plants more drought-resistant. Early morning watering is most efficient.
Harvest zucchini, beans, and cucumbers every 2-3 days. Small, frequent harvests keep plants productive. A zucchini left on the plant for too long becomes a marrow and signals the plant to stop producing new fruit.
Succession sow lettuce, radish, and rocket for continuous salad supply through summer. Use shade cloth (30-50%) over lettuce beds to prevent bolting in extreme heat. Choose heat-tolerant varieties like Cos or Oakleaf.
Track Your December Plantings
Add your December crops to the Planting Season app for harvest reminders and spacing guides tailored to your region.
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