December Gardening in Florida: Top 20 Vegetables to Plant NOW

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Don’t forget to sign up for your chance to win the Greenstalk Giveaway - mailchi.mp/dd3a3d243241/december-giveaway

[@backyardgardenswithBeth]

thanks,cant wait to see who wins!!

[@caracasgal64]

Thank you Petrina for the giveaway and gardening tips💚

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@caracasgal64my pleasure 💚

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@backyardgardenswithBethI’ll be selecting the winner on 12/15. Good luck!

[@sonyalewis-ou5xz]

Thank you for your tips and the green stalk giveaway. Prayers and best wishes

[@ANGELASCHRIDER]

I am so happy I came across your channel. I am new to Florida and love to garden and I am learning so much watching you. Thank You!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Welcome neighbor! Feel free to reach out with any questions. I’m happy to help 💚

[@beautifulstoryboss]

❤❤❤ your videos! Im down in Glades County, so a little farther south😊 Thanks for all you do and Merry Christmas to you!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too

[@samlc69]

What an amazing giveaway!! Good luck to everyone!!! Always look forward to your videos!! 💚🌱

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Aww Thanks Samuel!

[@wisteria4981]

So generous of you to give away a green stalk and other giveaways❤️

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Aww thanks. Happy to do it

[@boonmsgt]

I got my garlic ready from your advice a couple months ago. It will be my first time growing it. Im excited. Got it in the fridgerator waiting for a projected cold snap. I also need to go back and watch your planting video. Perfect video I just got my row garden prepped and have collards, broccoli, brussel sprouts, caulieflower ready to be transplanted into ground. And of course I have my area ready for the garlic. Thanks for video and knowledge. I have entered the giveaway. Dont have a vertical since I do row gardening but he why not. Im in Lakeland Florida. BTW

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

The evening temps tonight would be good. Also, I think there is a cold front on Monday. Fingers crossed 🤞

[@boonmsgt]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a I was planning for Sunday planting. But yes it has been nice these past few nights. I should have done them then. Fingers crossed for sure. I'm planting my other veggies tomorrow so I may just go ahead and go for it. Good luck

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@boonmsgtThat’s so exciting. I put mine in a couple weeks ago and they already have sprouts. Hoping for a good garlic year.

[@boonmsgt]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a got the garlic in and it looks like we are going to get our cold snap. Raining now with a low of 45 in morning and high 65. Perfect 👍🏻

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@boonmsgt perfect!

[@matthewberube5653]

I’m definitely in disagreement with rushing to pull tomato plants or even green tomato’s in December, especially in central Florida area. If they are mature then tomato plants can withstand a light frost when covered. Here in Florida when we get a freeze it’s typically only for a few hours and temps quickly climb. Based on soil temps in north central Florida I have tomato’s on the vine after New Year’s Day. The plants won’t really flower anymore but much less waste letting them ripen on the vine. They are safe when covered for me down to upper 20s. I have tomato plants outside flowering now and we’ve gotten two light frosts so far this month. My Palm tree tomato’s, which I wrap around my palm trees, do great. I wrap a blanket around the tree and that keeps them from freeze even into upper 20s

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’ve tried covering them in the past but they always seem to die. I usually just use frost blankets. Is there something special you are using or doing to ensure they make it into the 20s?

[@manjawarner3162]

I can't believe it took me this long to come across your channel. This is my first introduction to your videos and I am so blessed by your teaching style. Straightforward, informative, pertinent information. Golden. THANK YOU very much for putting this out here for us. I'm just two years into gardening in Florida and it has been such a mysterious journey transitioning from the PNW. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is so different that I have had a very hard time wrapping my head around it and getting things done in a timely fashion has been extremely challenging. This one video has already taken so much of the mystery out of the mix and I watch garden videos daily, so that's saying something about how you present. You're a Godsend.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Welcome neighbor! Thank you so much. That’s such a compliment. FYI I have a playlist on my channel on what to grow for each month of the year. 💚

[@sangitadesai7278]

Another great video. I am spending this weekend in my garden and planning on planting all of my cold weather crops.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Wonderful! It’s the perfect time 💚

[@mygrannysgarden]

Great video. Time is passing by quickly. Thank you for sharing.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

My pleasure 💚

[@tinal7573]

Thanks for all the info you give us!! Appreciated:)

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

My pleasure!

[@janicemoyer854]

One can never have too many Greenstalks 😂😂 Thank you for the info., spring around the corner while Christmas decorations are up. 😂😂 Getting a bed ready for corn hubby has been begging me to grow since getting back into gardening. Hard to believe i need to get the seeds started soon.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I know right. It’s so odd down here lol

[@swflorida]

South Florida 10b here, thanks for the advice! So helpful!!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Glad you enjoyed 💚

[@ellenconforti5693]

Hi neighbor Right now everything just got covered today in preparation for a maybe frost tonight. My plants look so good and i didn't want to take any chances. My fingers and toes are crossed in hopes i am wrong. Hoping you escape the cold tonight. I will be starting my spring seeds at the end of December. Happy gardening. Florida gardener Zone 9a

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I decided to gamble it and didn’t cover anything. 🤞

[@backyardfarmerpat]

Excellent video! Great info

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LoriHakaMyHeartCries]

I would love to win. Thanks for the chance. I'm going to go check my seeds now, because I don't think that I have any Tomatoes or cucumbers at all... thanks for the reminder,❤ Lori

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Good luck!

[@cindywoods4645]

Woo hoo, fun giveaway. Great helpful video as always. It's getting cold tonight brr.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Stay warm!

[@cindywoods4645]

You too

[@containingmygarden]

Thanks for the helpful information.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kristenokarski3547]

Thanks for the great videos…errrhhh, seems like I just transitioned to a Fall garden now I have to plan for Spring 😂😮! I appreciate the planning ahead tips- in the past I’ve always felt behind. Had to pull in tomato’s and peppers last night. Not a frost but afraid the low 40s would damaged the fruit still on the plants 🤞

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Our seasons happen fast here, lol

[@sueguidry4216]

Love your videos

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Thanks so much for watching

[@daviddeininger2938]

We had snow, so I enjoy watching gardening videos. It is so n8ce to see garden plants for us northern states to enjoy. Thank you. Lorraine

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Stay warm up there. You can live vicariously through me. 💚

[@rickirizarry5079]

Cold weather crops take a lot longer to grow here in the Alabama Gulf Coast. This year I started fall planting early in hopes of harvesting before January. Keeping fingers crossed.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

The shorter daylight doesn’t help, lol. I just harvested my first broccoli so fingers crossed

[@stephaniem5142]

Just signed up for the planner. Can't wait to try it. Great giveaway!!!!! Super excited about the greenstalk.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Aww Thanks!

[@jeanettecouch8979]

I just harvested sweet potatoes and I live in Florida. I was expecting a good harvest and all were very small. What did I do wrong?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That’s a great question. A heard a lot of folks did poorly this year including myself. How long did you wait to harvest them?

[@user-hz7kv6js6l]

Thank you, Petrina, for the december planting schedule. I planted the 5 everglades tomato seeds in October that I got from you this past summer and I have everglades tomatoes growing like crazy and I'm harvesting them everyday along with mustard spinach tendergreens (yes spinach) the seeds are by Botanical Interests they are growing amazingly well. I have not had any good results with other spinach I have tried in the past. I started the seeds inside in October in my little indoor light grow garden. I just downloaded your garden planner. I got all of my seeds organized this October in a 3 ring binder by the month I need to plant in zone 9b SW Florida. Happy fall gardening Donna from Sarasota. I would definitely put the green stalk planter to good use if I won it.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Thanks Donna. I’m going to look into that spinach. I really want to grow it. Good luck on the giveaway.

[@charlenesa03]

Thanks for the eBook. I hope I win the Greenstalk.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Good luck

[@pc1189]

Great list for what can be planted now I sowed peas and carrots yesterday 😊

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I love pea and carrot season 🥰

[@اميرناظم-ك4ظ]

So nice dear ❤

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Glad you enjoyed

[@cakedreamer85]

I’m in Louisiana (zone 9a.) Have you tried growing artichokes before in Florida? I’m giving it a go right now but have no idea what I’m doing really with fall/winter gardening. Just curious what to expect, if anything at this point. 😂

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

No, I haven’t. Based on my research they require about 300-500 chill hours. Where I am, I usually get 250-300 so I might get a plant but probably not a veggie so I haven’t tried it yet. Check out what your chill hours are for your area to see if it’s possible. It never hurts to try.

[@KK-FL]

I've got my first kohlrabi seedlings started. I've never even tasted it before 😂 but the seed pack was $1, so we're trying it out!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I hope you like it. It reminds me of crunchy broccoli

[@lindapedersen-hylka7170]

Another awesome video. I'm planting my garlic this week, I've had it in the fridge for about 10-12 weeks now. My first time, so excited. I hope I win the Greenstalk. I've been wanting one of those. Fingers crossed, lol. (I followed the link & entered)

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Awesome! Fingers crossed 🤞

[@georginablumel2852]

Hi Petrina, I’m here in central FL just south of you in Pinellas. I’ve just been updated to 10b now. I want to plant some beets and garlic in containers, but I’m not sure what type to plant. What variety of beets do you suggest and what’s the best method for growing in a container. And also I don’t really understand the vernalize process of garlic, so I don’t know what to look for on Etsy. Would also love suggestions for that in a container as well as Brussels sprouts, lol. I have sooooo many questions, but your videos are so helpful, so thank you!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’ll do my best to answer your questions but I have videos on my page for garlic and brussel sprouts if you want a deeper dive. I like Detroit red beets. They do very well direct seeded in containers. the containers don’t have to be super deep. Just about 8 inches. Vernalized just means that they were placed in the fridge for 6-12 weeks. There may not be many still available since most folks are planting them right now and they sell out quick. You could buy garlic not vernilized and just hope for the best. Soft neck inchelium red is my favorite. Container for garlic would be similar to beets. Brussels need something much bigger. 15-25 gallon grow bags work pretty good.

[@georginablumel2852]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a thank you so much! I will watch those videos next. But if I’m looking for the vernalize garlic, what do I use to search for them?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@georginablumel2852 vernilized seed garlic. I just did some quick searches and I couldn’t find any available at this point. I know Practical Plants sometimes has them but they also look sold out.

[@georginablumel2852]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a ok thank you. I might be out of luck on the garlic then. 😞

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@georginablumel2852 you can always try growing grocery store garlic. It might not bulb but you could make it into garlic powder and it’s good practice.

[@carreyn9808]

I have not had luck with the seminole pumpkins, I get great flowers, the pumpkin gets to the size of a fifty-cent piece then it dies, any suggestions? I have tried to manual pollenate but, that tends to kill the pum[kin flower and pumpkin itself.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

It definitely sounds like a pollination issue. I’ve found that a medium size hobby paint brush works best for transporting from the male to the female flower. It’s usually pretty gentle process. I also try and get pollen from at least 2 male flowers because some male flower pollen might have already been depleted by other insects like ants. I also try getting out there to do it as early as possible since the flowers really fade as the day goes on.

[@KEENDARLING]

Ok central Florida - luffa can I just cut them when they get big - to size Then dry them out ? Also when do you prune fruit trees? I've heard all different I'm in Orlando area

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I did that with my luffa when they were still green. I pulled the skin off and soaked and wrung them out a bunch then dried them inside. Worked pretty good. I prune mine in January. Basically once they have lost most of their leaves since that means they are dormant.

[@angelfaithmiranda7947]

I tried several times to enter for the giveaway but each time it said the page was not available. How can I enter my name and address?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

The giveaway was last year. A winner was selected and received the prize.

[@vickydewick6669]

link not working

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’m sorry. The giveaway ended last year and a winner was already chosen.

[@vickydewick6669]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a I saw the month...not the year...🙂. Chalk it up to turkey L tryptophan overload.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@vickydewick6669 haha! Turkey will do that 🦃

[@angelfaithmiranda7947]

LOL I didn’t pay attention to the year.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@angelfaithmiranda7947 I updated the description just now to clarify the year sorry for the confusion