Zone 12 - Planting Calendar

USDA Gardening Zone 12 Monthly Planting Calendar: Year-Round Abundance in the Tropics

January

• Vegetables: Plant cool-season vegetables like lettuce, kale, spinach, and carrots. You can also start beans, cucumbers, and peppers.
• Herbs: Plant basil, cilantro, and parsley. Start oregano and rosemary from cuttings.
• Flowers: Plant cool-season flowers such as petunias, snapdragons, and marigolds.
• Tips: Water your garden early in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal diseases. Keep an eye out for pests, as they are active year-round in this climate.

February

• Vegetables: Continue planting cool-season vegetables, and start warm-season crops like tomatoes, eggplant, and squash.
• Herbs: Plant perennial herbs like thyme, sage, and lemongrass outdoors.
• Flowers: Add color with zinnias, impatiens, and hibiscus.
• Tips: Mulch your garden beds to retain moisture and keep roots cool. Prune fruit trees to encourage healthy growth and prepare them for the upcoming growing season.

March

• Vegetables: Transplant warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant outdoors. Direct-sow beans, cucumbers, and melons.
• Herbs: Plant basil, mint, and thyme outdoors.
• Flowers: Plant heat-tolerant summer annuals like sunflowers, cosmos, and vinca.
• Tips: Apply organic compost to your garden beds to enrich the soil and support healthy plant growth. Keep an eye out for pests, especially as temperatures rise.

April

• Vegetables: Continue planting warm-season vegetables like cucumbers, sweet potatoes, and corn. Start pumpkins for a fall harvest.
• Herbs: Transplant herbs like basil, rosemary, and oregano outdoors.
• Flowers: Plant tropical flowers such as bougainvillea, plumeria, and bird of paradise.
• Tips: As the heat intensifies, ensure your garden receives consistent watering. Consider installing a drip irrigation system to efficiently water your plants.

May

• Vegetables: Focus on heat-loving vegetables like okra, eggplant, and peppers. Continue planting melons and sweet potatoes.
• Herbs: Harvest herbs regularly to encourage new growth and prevent bolting.
• Flowers: Add tropical flowers like hibiscus, frangipani, and orchids to your garden.
• Tips: Use shade cloth to protect delicate plants from the intense sun. Apply a slow-release fertilizer to keep your plants nourished throughout the hot season.

June

• Vegetables: Plant summer crops like okra, southern peas, and pumpkins. Continue planting heat-tolerant greens like Malabar spinach.
• Herbs: Continue planting herbs like basil, lemongrass, and Thai basil.
• Flowers: Plant heat-resistant flowers like portulaca and pentas to add color to your garden.
• Tips: Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture and protect plant roots from the extreme heat. Water early in the day to reduce evaporation and prevent leaf scorch.

July

• Vegetables: Start seeds for fall crops like pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and winter squash.
• Herbs: Harvest herbs for drying and preserving. Continue planting heat-tolerant herbs.
• Flowers: Maintain summer annuals by deadheading and trimming to encourage continuous blooming.
• Tips: Monitor your garden for signs of heat stress, such as wilting or yellowing leaves. Provide extra shade for sensitive plants if necessary.

August

• Vegetables: Begin planning for your fall garden by starting seeds indoors for crops like broccoli, cabbage, and kale.
• Herbs: Continue to harvest and prune herbs to keep them healthy and productive.
• Flowers: Prepare beds for fall flowers like chrysanthemums and marigolds.
• Tips: Evaluate your garden’s water needs during this hot month. Adjust your watering schedule to ensure plants stay hydrated and healthy.

September

• Vegetables: Transplant fall crops like broccoli, cabbage, and kale. Direct-seed cool-season crops like spinach, radishes, and lettuce.
• Herbs: Plant cool-weather herbs like cilantro, parsley, and dill.
• Flowers: Plant fall-blooming flowers like mums, asters, and pansies.
• Tips: As temperatures start to cool slightly, reduce the frequency of watering. Clean up your garden by removing any dead or diseased plants to maintain a healthy growing environment.

October

• Vegetables: Continue planting cool-season vegetables like carrots, beets, and onions. Start garlic for a spring harvest.
• Herbs: Plant hardy herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme.
• Flowers: Plant spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils for early spring blooms.
• Tips: Use this time to clean up your garden, removing spent plants and adding organic matter to enrich your soil. Prepare for any cooler nights by having frost cloths ready for tender plants.

November

• Vegetables: Plant garlic, onions, and shallots for a late spring harvest. Continue harvesting cool-season vegetables.
• Herbs: Protect perennial herbs from unexpected cold snaps by mulching around their bases.
• Flowers: Plant winter flowers like pansies and violas to add a burst of color to your garden.
• Tips: Take advantage of the cooler weather to plan and plant your winter garden. Consider installing a protective cover over delicate plants if frost is expected.

December

• Vegetables: Harvest the last of your fall crops, and continue growing cool-season vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and broccoli.
• Herbs: Grow herbs like basil and mint indoors on a sunny windowsill to enjoy fresh flavors throughout the winter.
• Flowers: Maintain winter blooms by deadheading spent flowers and removing any diseased plants.
• Tips: Reflect on your gardening successes this year and begin planning for the upcoming season. Prepare garden beds by adding compost and organic matter to enrich the soil for future planting.

Tips for Successful Gardening in Zone 12

• Maximize Tropical Conditions: Grow tropical fruits like mangoes, papayas, pineapples, and bananas, which thrive in the warm, humid climate of Zone 12.
• Mulch Regularly: Mulching is essential to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature in the intense tropical heat.
• Water Wisely: Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation and avoid fungal diseases. Drip irrigation can be particularly effective in Zone 12, where efficient water use is key.
• Pest Management: Pests are active year-round in this zone. Regularly inspect your garden for signs of pests and use organic pest control methods to keep your plants healthy.
• Prepare for Heat: Use shade cloth and other protective measures to shield delicate plants from the most intense sun, especially during the hottest months.