Adelaide, SA

What to plant in Adelaide in December.

Adelaide has broadly mediterranean conditions: hot dry summers, cool winters and limited rainfall. These suggestions are a practical starting point for the month.

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24broad choices

Mediterraneanclimate

Decemberplanting month

Your starting list

Planting ideas for December

Grow to Eat

BeansSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeks BasilStart in trays • Full sun • 6–10 weeks CucumberSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeks PumpkinSow direct • Full sun • 16–22 weeks ZucchiniSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeks Sweet cornSow direct in blocks • Full sun • 12–16 weeks Sweet potatoPlant slips • Full sun • 18–24 weeks WatermelonSow direct • Full sun • 14–20 weeks OkraSow direct • Full sun • 10–14 weeks ChokoPlant a vine • Full sun • Fruit in 16–24 weeks GingerPlant rhizomes • Part sun • 32–40 weeks TurmericPlant rhizomes • Part sun • 32–40 weeks LemongrassPlant divisions • Full sun • Light harvest in 12–16 weeks PassionfruitPlant a vine • Full sun • Fruit in 12–24 months

Grow for Beauty

SunflowerSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeks MarigoldSow or transplant • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeks ZinniaSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeks CosmosSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeks PetuniaPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 8–10 weeks ImpatiensPlant seedlings • Part shade • Flowers in 8–12 weeks BougainvilleaPlant a vine • Full sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasons HibiscusPlant a young shrub • Full sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasons Bird of paradisePlant divisions • Full or part sun • Flowers after 1–2 years ColeusPlant seedlings • Part shade • Colour within 6–10 weeks

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Before you plant

A quick December garden check

Check the forecast.Delay tender planting during frost, heatwaves, waterlogged weather or damaging wind.
Prepare the soil.Remove weeds, check drainage and add mature compost where the plant benefits from it.
Read the label.Exact varieties can need different depth, spacing, pollination or pruning.
Water the root zone.Water new plants thoroughly and keep moisture consistent while roots establish.

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