Basil
Sow seeds · Plant out
Sow into punnets once frost has passed and pinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Canberra, ACT · Cool temperate, frosty
What to plant in Canberra in December
A data-backed december starting point for the Canberra & the ACT growing profile. GrowCal uses this profile to resolve the baseline schedule for each plant.
What to plant in December
These plants have dated GrowCal schedule data for this regional profile and include a sow or plant-out action in December. Select a plant name to read its broader Australian guide.
Carrot
Sow seeds
Sow direct into deep, friable, stone-free soil and keep the surface damp. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Chives
Sow seeds · Plant out
Plant in clumps and cut leaves at the base; divide established clumps to make more. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Coriander
Sow seeds · Plant out
Sow direct into cool-season beds and keep it moist; heat and root disturbance make it bolt. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Cucumber
Sow seeds
Train up a trellis for straighter fruit and far less mildew. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Dill
Sow seeds · Plant out
Sow direct in a sheltered sunny spot; it runs to seed quickly, so keep sowing. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Lemongrass
Plant out
Full sun and moist, well-drained soil; it is frost tender, so pot it in cold districts. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Mint
Plant out
Plant into a pot or a contained bed — mint runs, and it prefers moist soil in light shade. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Oregano
Sow seeds · Plant out
Keep it on the dry side and harvest often — unpicked plants turn hard and woody. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Parsley
Sow seeds · Plant out
Direct sow or plant seedlings; cut outer stems at the base so the plant keeps reshooting. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Potato
Plant out
Plant certified seed potatoes in well-drained soil and mound as they grow. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Pumpkin
Sow seeds
Give it room to run, and hand-pollinate early in the morning for reliable fruit. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Rosemary
Sow seeds · Plant out
Give it hot, dry, well-drained conditions; in the tropics and subtropics keep it in a pot. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Sage
Sow seeds · Plant out
A permanent full-sun spot with very sharp drainage; do not enrich the soil. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Thyme
Sow seeds
Full sun and gritty, free-draining soil; shear off spent flowerheads to keep new growth coming. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Turnip
Sow seeds
Quick and forgiving; pull them young for the best texture. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Zucchini
Sow seeds
Two plants feed a household. Harvest small and often. This is a december action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
December garden jobs
GrowCal also surfaces maintenance and harvest actions when the resolved schedule lists them for this month.
Vegetables
Herbs
Fruit & Berries
Fruit Trees & Citrus
Why timing varies locally
Canberra is not one uniform growing environment. This page uses the mapped Canberra & the ACT profile, while a nearby locality may resolve differently. Frost pockets, shade, soil, aspect and the variety you grow can all change what is sensible in a particular garden. Treat these dates as a prompt to look at your garden, not a rigid instruction.
Read the GrowCal data & methodology for sources, validation status and limitations.
Ready to plan your year?
Enter your suburb, city or postcode to resolve the regional profile for your own garden and choose the plants you grow.
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