December Gardening Guide: What to Plant and Do Across Australia
By Ewa Bekiesch, DipSustLiv (UTAS)
Holistic Gardens Coach | Real Food Advocate
YouTube & Instagram: @EwasVibes — Where every leaf holds a secret, and every root tells a story. Join the conversation!
Seeds, Plants & Gardening Gear: foodforestseeds.au
December has arrived, and with it comes the full, vibrant energy of an Australian summer. While many of us are busy with festive preparations, our gardens are in their peak growing season—lush, productive, and bursting with life. Here on the Fraser Coast, the mangoes are ripening, the first sweet corn is ready for harvest, and the cicadas’ hum is the soundtrack to every evening garden stroll.
This month’s guide is all about thriving in the heat, managing the summer rush, and setting your garden up for success as we head into the new year. Whether you’re dodging tropical downpours, tending to arid-zone survivors, or enjoying long temperate days, here’s what to focus on in December.
Tropical Gardens (Northern QLD, NT, WA)
What’s Happening:
The wet season is in full swing, with high humidity, warm temperatures, and regular, heavy rainfall. Growth is rapid, but so are weeds and pests.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Focus on drainage to prevent waterlogging during heavy storms.
- Harvest continuously to keep plants productive—beans, tomatoes, and leafy greens.
- Watch for fungal diseases like powdery mildew; improve air circulation.
- Stake tall crops like corn and bananas ahead of stormy weather.
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Amaranth, kang kong, okra, cherry tomatoes, sweet potato
Herbs: Ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, Vietnamese mint
Fruits: Passionfruit, papaya, banana, pineapple
Arid & Semi-Arid Gardens (Inland QLD, SA, NT, WA, NSW)
What’s Happening:
Intense heat and dry conditions dominate. Water conservation and heat management are critical.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Water deeply in the early morning to minimise evaporation.
- Use shade cloth to protect sensitive plants from scorching sun.
- Harvest crops like tomatoes and zucchinis early before the day’s heat sets in.
- Mulch heavily to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool.
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Snake beans, rosella, sweet potato, pigeon pea
Herbs: Saltbush, native thyme, lemon myrtle
Fruits: Pomegranate, jujube, date palm, dragon fruit
Subtropical Gardens (SE QLD, Fraser Coast, Wide Bay, Northern NSW) – My Garden This Month!
What I’m Celebrating in My Food Forest:
December is a month of abundance here! The first mangoes are turning colour, the passionfruit vines are heavy with fruit, and the sweet corn is ripe for picking. My main tasks are keeping up with watering, mulching to protect the soil from intense sun, and staying ahead of fruit fly with netting.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Water consistently, especially fruiting plants like tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Net fruit trees to protect from birds and bats as harvest nears.
- Continue planting heat-loving crops like okra and Malabar spinach.
- Feed citrus trees with an organic fertiliser to support fruit development.
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Sweet corn, okra, Malabar spinach, snake beans, pumpkin, winged beans, and more ( may find this link to my store helpful)
Herbs: Ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, Vietnamese mint, perennial Basil (like holy and sweet), perilla, shiso, marigolds (to attract pollinators and deter pests)
Fruits: Pineapple, passionfruit, dragon fruit, Barbados cherry, papaya, banana, Grumichama, Guava, and many more subtropical and tropical varieties!
Temperate Gardens (Southern NSW, VIC, TAS, SA, WA)
What’s Happening:
Long, warm days create ideal growing conditions. The garden is at its most productive, but water needs increase.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Harvest daily to keep plants like zucchinis and beans producing.
- Set up drip irrigation or soaker hoses for efficient watering.
- Watch for pests like aphids, caterpillars, and snails.
- Keep herbs like basil and coriander from bolting by harvesting regularly.
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Zucchini, cucumbers, beans, corn, lettuce (in partial shade)
Herbs: Basil, dill, coriander, parsley, chives
Flowers: Sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds (to attract pollinators and deter pests)
A Final Tip for Every Gardener:
Embrace the shade. Use shade cloth, plant taller crops to shelter more delicate ones, and consider growing leafy greens in dappled light to prevent bolting in the heat.
A Personal Reflection…
December reminds me to slow down and appreciate the garden’s gifts. Between holiday chaos and summer heat, taking a quiet moment to harvest a sun-warmed tomato or watch bees dance among the flowers is a beautiful way to reconnect. However your December unfolds, I hope your garden brings you joy, nourishment, and a little peace.
Join Our Growing Community!
For more gardening tips and a behind-the-scenes look at my food forest journey, subscribe to my YouTube channel at EwasVibes If you’re looking to get growing yourself, visit my online store at www.foodforestseeds.au for heirloom, organically grown seeds and plants, plus handy gardening gear like our super-sized grow bags—everything you need to create your own abundant garden in Australian conditions.
What are you most looking forward to harvesting this season? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy gardening, and thank you for supporting my small business 🙂
Ewa Bekiesch
