Growing guide

Cool zone

Cold winters with frost, and a short summer growing season.

Includes Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, Launceston, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mt Gambier.

What to sow in December

Holds back frost-tender crops around this area's frost dates. Regional, so ask local growers too.

  • BasilSow directly or raise seedlingsNot yet checked against a local guide
  • BeetrootSow directly in the bed
  • BorageSow directly in the bedCan spreadNot yet checked against a local guide
  • BroccoliRaise seedlings, then transplant
  • Brussels SproutsRaise seedlings, then transplant
  • CarrotSow directly in the bed
  • CauliflowerRaise seedlings, then transplant
  • CeleriacRaise seedlings, then transplantNot yet checked against a local guide
  • CelerySow directly or raise seedlings
  • Chinese CabbageSow directly or raise seedlings
  • ChivesRaise seedlings, then transplantStays for yearsNot yet checked against a local guide
  • CorianderRaise seedlings, then transplantNot yet checked against a local guide
  • CornSow directly in the bed
  • CowpeaSow directly in the bedNot yet checked against a local guide
  • CucumberSow directly or raise seedlings
  • DaikonSow directly in the bedNot yet checked against a local guide
  • DillSow directly in the bedNot yet checked against a local guide
  • French BeanSow directly in the bedNot yet checked against a local guide
  • Garlic ChivesSow directly or raise seedlingsStays for yearsNot yet checked against a local guide
  • GingerSow directly in the bedNot yet checked against a local guide
  • KohlrabiSow directly in the bed
  • LeekSow directly or raise seedlings
  • LettuceSow directly in the bed
  • LuffaRaise seedlings, then transplantNeeds a lot of roomNot yet checked against a local guide
  • MintSow directly or raise seedlingsCan spreadNot yet checked against a local guide
  • MizunaSow directly in the bed
  • OkraSow directly or raise seedlings
  • OreganoSow directly or raise seedlingsStays for yearsNot yet checked against a local guide
  • ParsleySow directly or raise seedlingsNot yet checked against a local guide
  • ParsnipSow directly in the bed
  • PotatoSow directly in the bed
  • PumpkinSow directly or raise seedlingsNeeds a lot of room
  • PurslaneSow directly in the bedCan spreadNot yet checked against a local guide
  • RadishSow directly in the bedNot yet checked against a local guide
  • RhubarbSow directly or raise seedlingsStays for yearsNot yet checked against a local guide
  • RockmelonRaise seedlings, then transplantNeeds a lot of room
  • Runner BeanSow directly in the bedNot yet checked against a local guide
  • SalsifySow directly in the bedNot yet checked against a local guide
  • SilverbeetSow directly or raise seedlings
  • SoybeanSow directly in the bedNot yet checked against a local guide
  • ThymeSow directly or raise seedlingsStays for yearsNot yet checked against a local guide
  • TomatilloRaise seedlings, then transplantNot yet checked against a local guide
  • TomatoRaise seedlings, then transplant
  • TurnipSow directly in the bed
  • WatercressSow directly or raise seedlingsCan spreadNot yet checked against a local guide
  • WatermelonSow directly in the bedNeeds a lot of room
  • Yardlong BeanSow directly in the bedNot yet checked against a local guide
  • ZucchiniSow directly in the bed