Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 03, 2011	Feb. 07, 2012	May 27, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001037390
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 03, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-03
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 63,900,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,134,204
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY