What to plant in December in South Africa

5 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in December in South Africa, for the climate around Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Climate: A Southern Hemisphere highveld climate with hot, wet summers from November to March, a dry winter, and frosts from May to August with the coldest nights near 0 °C.

Vegetables

  • Tomato Solanum lycopersicum

    Warm, sunny summers give fruit a long season once transplanted after the last frost in September.

    Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Green bean Phaseolus vulgaris

    It is sown once frosts end and thrives in the warm, rainy summer soil.

    Harvest: 55–65 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Zucchini Cucurbita pepo

    Its fast growth in warm, humid summers gives heavy yields from a small bed.

    Harvest: 45–55 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Cucumber Cucumis sativus

    Warm, humid summers suit it, and it climbs well on a trellis in a small space.

    Harvest: 50–65 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

Herbs

  • Basil Ocimum basilicum

    It loves the hot, humid summers and grows lush once the frosts are over.

    Harvest: 30–40 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →