What to plant in December

Sow now

• Yacon (direct sow) Plant tuber/crown divisions ~40cm apart in prepared, compost-enriched soil after the last spring frost. This zone's early first autumn frost makes for a short, marginal growing season for this heat-loving South American crop - lift tubers as soon as frost hits, don't wait.
• Jerusalem Artichoke (direct sow) Plant tubers direct into soil once it warms past ~15-16C, after the last spring frost. Dig once frost kills the top growth - can be left in the ground and dug as needed right through winter; this zone's cold winters are actually a benefit here, improving tuber colour.
• Basil (direct sow / trays) Frost-tender - start indoors, transplant after last frost. Pinch flowers to extend harvest.
• Courgette (direct sow / trays) Sow after last frost. Grow at least two plants for better pollination. Space 1m apart.
• Beetroot (direct sow) Direct sow, thin to 10cm apart. Frost-tolerant.
• Carrot (direct sow) Direct sow only - don't transplant. Keep soil moist until germination.
• Silverbeet (direct sow / trays) Hardy leafy green. Pick outer leaves for continuous harvest.
• Mizuna (direct sow) Direct sow. Quick-growing cut-and-come-again green - succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Egmont also lists a second Feb-Mar sowing not modelled here.
• Radish (direct sow) Direct sow, thin to avoid overcrowding. Very quick-growing - succession sow every 2 weeks.
• Pak Choy (direct sow) Direct sow. Cut-and-come-again Asian green, tolerant of an unusually wide sowing season. Can bolt in extended hot spells - part-shade in summer.
• Peas (direct sow) Direct sow. Fix nitrogen in soil.
• Lettuce (direct sow / trays) Succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Shade cloth in summer to prevent bolting.
• Beans (Climbing) (direct sow) Direct sow after last frost risk has passed. Needs a support structure. ~90 days to harvest.
• Cucumber ( / trays) Start seeds in trays about a month before last frost. Plant out after last frost risk has passed. ~60-80 days to harvest from transplant.
• Pumpkin (direct sow) Direct sow once soil has warmed and frost risk has passed. Needs plenty of space to sprawl. ~100-160 days to harvest — a long-season crop.
• Spinach (direct sow / trays) Bolts in heat rather than being frost-sensitive. Succession sow for continuous harvest. ~50-70 days to harvest.

Transplant

• Tomato
• Basil
• Capsicum
• Eggplant
• Broccoli
• Cucumber

Harvest

• Tomato
• Garlic
• Beetroot
• Carrot
• Silverbeet
• Mizuna
• Radish
• Mustard Greens
• Pak Choy
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Coriander
• Broad Beans
• Spinach