December in Central Florida is wonderful for residents and visitors alike. You can expect a delightful blend of mildness and occasional coolness. With an average high ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit (24-28 degrees Celsius), the region offers a welcome respite for those fleeing colder climates during the holiday season. However, as dusk settles in, temperatures tend to drop slightly, often dipping into the comfortable range of 50s and 60s Fahrenheit (10-18 degrees Celsius). This subtle chill creates an ideal atmosphere for cozy evenings spent outdoors or strolling along illuminated streets adorned with festive decorations. Occasionally, Zone 9b experiences even cooler spells that bring about sweater weather conditions; this is when scarves come out and hot cocoa becomes a comforting beverage choice. It is essential to note that while more frequent than other months, rainfall remains relatively scarce during December in Central Florida. On average December brings only 8 days of rain dropping about 2 inches annually. Overall, Zone 9b's December weather paints a picture-perfect backdrop for both traditional holiday festivities and enjoying the great outdoors under sunny skies sprinkled with just enough crispness.
This makes it a great month for gardening and a chance for us to grow some vegetables and plants that are just not possible during those hot and muggy months.
| Vegetable | Sowing Method | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | Transplant Seedlings | February |
| Radish | Direct Sow | February |
| Spinach | Direct Sow | February |
| Beets | Direct Sow | March |
| Bell Peppers | Start in seed trays | March |
| Chives | Direct Sow | March |
| Collard Greens | Direct Sow | March |
| Kale | Direct Sow | March |
| Kohlrabi | Direct Sow | March |
| Lettuce | Direct Sow | March |
| Peas | Direct Sow | March |
| Scallions or Green Onions | Direct Sow | March |
| Tomatillo | Transplant Seedlings | March |
| Tomato | Direct Sow | March |
| Turnip | Direct Sow | March |
| Carrot | Direct Sow | April |
| Celery | Transplant Seedlings | April |
| Leeks | Direct Sow | April |
| Okra | Direct Sow | April |
| Shallots | Direct Sow | April |
| Cauliflower | Direct Sow | May |
Essential December Gardening Tips for Central Florida (Zone 9b)
Because December sits in the heart of Central Florida's dry, mild winter season, your vegetable, herb, and flower beds behave very differently than they do in the hot, humid summer months. Daytime temperatures in the comfortable 70s°F paired with crisp 50s°F nights allow brassicas, leafy salad greens, root crops, culinary herbs, and cool-season annual flowers to flourish without heat stress, fungal leaf spot, or rapid bolting. However, because December averages only about two inches of rainfall across the entire month in Central Florida, consistent root-zone irrigation and moisture-retentive organic soil preparation are essential for top yields.
Organic Soil Preparation, Morning Watering & Frost Readiness
Before direct-sowing radishes, spinach, carrots, beets, turnips, crisphead and looseleaf lettuce, or snow peas—or transplanting sturdy broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collard, and tomatillo starts—amend your sandy native soil with two to three inches of finished compost and worm castings. Rich organic matter acts as a biological sponge and nutrient reservoir that keeps moisture and trace minerals right around shallow seedling roots. Water gently in the early morning two to three times per week using drip lines or a soft shower wand so germinating seeds stay evenly moist without washing away.
While hard freezes are uncommon in December across USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, occasional fast-moving cold fronts can dip overnight lows into the mid-30s or low 40s°F. Keep breathable frost cloth, floating row covers, or old cotton bedsheets stored in your garden shed to drape over tender tomato, bell pepper, and tomatillo plants whenever a localized frost advisory is issued, anchoring the edges to the ground to trap radiant earth warmth and removing covers once morning sun warms the air. Pair your winter vegetables with nectar-rich cool-season blooms like sweet alyssum, snapdragons, calendula, and violas along bed borders to keep native bees active on sunny afternoons. By staggering your seed sowing every two weeks throughout December and top-dressing beds with organic mulch, you will enjoy continuous harvests of crisp greens, sweet roots, and fragrant herbs from late winter all the way into spring.