December 2021

After an extremely cool and wet spring in many parts of Australia it is good to see some warmth and sunshine creeping in. As temperatures warm up it is increasingly important to ensure your garden is kept well watered. One excellent way of retaining soil moisture while also helping to build soil health is by Mulching. If you haven’t already jump over to our blog where you can learn all you need to know about Mulch.

Pumpkin seeds can be planted in all but tropical gardens this month, quick to germinate they will thrive when planted in high quality, compost rich soil and in full sun. If allowed, they will spread far and wide, so if you are short on space why not have a go at growing them on a trellis or fence. For those with limited space or even a balcony you can always try the “Small sugar” variety, while still a spreading vine it is more compact than many larger varieties. If harvested with the stem intact Pumpkins will easily store for a number of months providing many bowls of pumpkin soup in the cold winter months.

It is no secret that we love Radishes. They are such a wonderfully quick and easy crop to grow and a perfect addition to a summer salad. For less than the cost of a single bunch from most supermarkets by sowing a few seeds each week over summer you will have a constant supply on hand and save yourself some all important $$. We have several varieties available but do love the classic French Breakfast for its long finger-like shape and peppery kick.

Sweet corn can be sown in all climates this month. Corn is wind pollinated, so for best results sow seed in blocks rather than straight lines to maximise pollination rate. Corn can be a little thirsty so mulch well once established and keep well watered and well fed for tasty juicy corn. Sweet Balinese is a variety we have had great success with, growing close to 2m high and on very strong and vigorous plants it does mature later in the season making it a great variety to plant alongside earlier cropping varieties such as Sweet Bantam or Jolly Roger.

Often thought to be difficult to grow Watermelon but in reality no more difficult than pumpkins or even zucchini Watermelon will make a great statement in your patch. Cool, temperate and arid gardeners – now is the perfect time to get seeds sown into well composted and fertilized soil. Watermelons will ramble, so some space is definitely needed for this summer essential.

Wherever you are, continue to sow basil, an excellent companion plant for tomatoes or simply a great herb to have in the kitchen garden. While we are speaking of tomatoes, if you live in cool, temperate or arid climates and have left your tomato run late, you could still sneak in a planting now.

Lettuce and asian greens can still be planted in many areas however, as the weather begins to heat up for best results, try using shade cloth or plant in beds that receive morning rather than afternoon sun. A regular dose of seaweed solution and a good covering of mulch will help keep established plants in optimal condition
Happy gardening!

Vegetable, herb and flower seeds to plant in December 2021

In Cool Climates

• Artichoke (Globe) – Plant out seedlings*
• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Asparagus – Sow direct*
• Beetroot – Sow direct
• Beans – Sow direct
• Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
• Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM)
• Capsicum – Sow in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Cauliflower – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM)
• Carrot – Sow direct
• Celery – Sow in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Chilli – Sow in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Corn – Sow direct
• Cucumber – Sow direct or in punnets
• Eggplant – Plant out seedlings
• Kale – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM)
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct (CM)
• Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Okra – Sow direct*
• Pumpkin – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rhubarb – Sow direct
• Rocket – Sow direct (HS)
• Silverbeet – Sow direct in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Spinach  – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Swede – Sow direct
• Tomato – Sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Watermelon – Sow direct*
• Zucchini – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Herbs – Coriander* and Chives –  Sow direct,  Parsley, Basil, Marjoram* Thyme* –  Sow direct or in punnets
• Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum, Nasturtium, Sunflower or Calendula sow direct or Marigolds Cosmos or Zinnia sow direct or in punnets

HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.

CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Temperate Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Beans – Sow direct
• Beetroot – Sow direct
• Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
• Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM)
• Capsicum – Sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Cauliflower – Sow direct in punnets  or plant out seedlings
• Celery -Plant out seedlings*
• Corn – Sow direct
• Cucumber – Sow direct
• Eggplant – Sow in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct (CM)
• Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Luffa – Sow direct
• Mizuna – Sow direct (HS)
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Okra* – Sow direct
• Pumpkin – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rocket – Sow direct (HS)
• Rhubarb – Sow direct
• Silverbeet – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Spinach – Sow direct,  in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Swede – Sow direct
• Tomato – Sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Watermelon – Sow direct*
• Zucchini – Sow direct
• Herbs – Coriander and Chives –  Sow direct,   Parsley, Basil, Marjoram– Sow direct or in punnets
• Pollinating flowers –  Sweet Alyssum, Nasturtium, Sunflower or Calendula sow direct or Marigolds, Cosmos or Zinnia sow in punnets

HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.

CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Hot/Arid Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct (HS)
• Beans  – Sow direct
• Capsicum – Sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Chilli – Sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Corn – Sow direct
• Cucumber – Sow direct
• Eggplant – Sow in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Leeks – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Malabar Spinach – Sow direct
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct (HS)
• Pumpkin – Sow direct
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rocket – Sow direct (HS)
• Tomato – Sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Tomatillo – Sow direct*, in punnets*, or plant out seedlings
• Watermelon – Sow direct*
• Zucchini – Sow direct
• Herbs – Chives, Coriander – Sow direct, Basil, Marjoram and Parsley – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Pollinating flowers  – Sweet Alyssum, Nasturtium, Sunflower or Calendula sow direct or plant out seedlings.  Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings.

HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.

CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Tropical Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Beans (Snake only) – Sow direct
• Capsicum – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Chilli – Sow in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Corn – Sow direct
• Eggplant – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Luffa – Sow direct
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Mizuna – Sow direct
• Okra – Sow direct
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rosella – Sow direct
• Malabar Spinach – Sow direct
• Herbs –  Basil and can be sown direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings and Thyme – plant out seedlings
• Pollinating Flowers  –  Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings. Sunflower or Calendula – Sow direct

* Last chance to plant or sow