Seasonal Planting Guide
What to Plant in December
December is for warm-zone planting, indoor growing, forced bulbs, and planning next year's garden. The best gardens are dreamed up in December and built in spring.
🌱 Plan Your Dream Garden →☀️ Warm Zone Planting (Zones 8–11)
Cool-Season Vegetables (Zones 9–11)
December is prime vegetable season in zones 9–11. Direct sow: lettuce, spinach, arugula, radishes, carrots, beets, turnips, kale, Swiss chard. Transplant: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi. In South Florida, Southern California, and the Gulf Coast, December through February is the most productive growing period.
Peas & Fava Beans (Zones 8–10)
Direct sow peas and fava beans in December for zones 8–10. They germinate in cool soil, grow through mild winters, and produce heavily in spring. Fava beans fix nitrogen in the soil. Snow peas and sugar snaps are the best choices — edible pods mean faster harvest. Plant along a trellis, 1 in deep, 2 in apart.
Garlic (Zones 8–10 — Still Time)
Zones 8–10 can still plant garlic in December. Softneck varieties are best for warm climates: California Early, Inchelium Red, Silver White. Plant 2 in deep, 6 in apart. Garlic planted in December in warm zones grows through winter and produces heads by May–June. The mild winter gives a long, steady growing season.
Bare-Root Fruit Trees (Zones 7–10)
December begins bare-root season for fruit trees in zones 7–10. Apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry, fig, pomegranate — all available bare-root through January. Order from specialist nurseries (Dave Wilson, One Green World, Raintree). Plant immediately upon arrival. Bare-root trees are 40–60% cheaper and establish faster than container trees.
Strawberries (Zones 8–10)
Plant strawberry transplants in December in zones 8–10. They develop root systems through winter and produce a massive spring harvest. In zone 10 (Florida, SoCal), strawberries produce through winter. Everbearing varieties provide the longest harvest. June-bearing varieties give one big crop. Space 12–18 in apart, mulch with straw.
Herb Garden (Zones 8–11)
Plant cool-season herbs: cilantro, parsley, dill, chives, fennel. In zones 9–11, also plant rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano — they grow actively through mild winters. Cilantro is at its best in cool weather — December through March produces the most flavorful leaves. Start a potted herb collection near your kitchen for fresh cooking herbs all winter.
🏠 Indoor Growing Projects
Microgreens (All Zones)
Grow microgreens on your kitchen counter in 7–14 days. Sunflower, pea shoot, radish, broccoli, kale, arugula — all easy and nutritious. Use shallow trays, seed-starting mix, and a sunny windowsill or basic grow light. Microgreens are 4–40x more nutrient-dense than mature vegetables. Perfect December project — fresh greens while the garden sleeps.
Indoor Herb Garden
Set up a windowsill or grow-light herb garden. Basil, mint, chives, parsley, oregano, and thyme all grow indoors with 6–8 hours of light. Use a south-facing window or a basic LED grow light. Self-watering pots reduce maintenance. Growing herbs indoors saves $5–$10/week compared to buying fresh herbs at the grocery store.
Sprouts — 3-Day Fresh Food
Sprouting is the fastest, simplest form of indoor growing — no soil, no lights. Alfalfa, mung bean, broccoli, radish, lentil sprouts are ready in 3–5 days. Use a mason jar with a mesh lid. Rinse twice daily. Sprouts are packed with nutrients and enzymes. Start 2–3 jars on different days for continuous harvests.
Force Amaryllis Bulbs
Plant amaryllis bulbs in December for holiday blooms. They're the showiest indoor flowering bulb — massive trumpet flowers in red, white, pink, salmon, and bicolor. Plant in a pot barely larger than the bulb, water once, and place in a warm bright spot. Blooms appear in 6–8 weeks. Stake tall varieties. Rebloom next year by growing leaves in summer.
Force Paperwhites
Continue forcing paperwhite narcissus for winter blooms. Place bulbs on pebbles with water just touching the base. Blooms in 4–6 weeks. They're intensely fragrant — one pot fills a room. Start new bulbs every 2 weeks for continuous blooms through February. Add a tablespoon of vodka to the water to keep stems compact (research-proven).
Start Slow-Growing Seeds
Begin onion, leek, and celery seeds indoors in late December for zones 5–7. These slow growers need 10–14 weeks of indoor growth. Also start rosemary and lavender seeds — they need cold stratification (refrigerate 2–4 weeks first). Having a grow light setup for these early starts gives you a huge spring advantage.
🛡️ Winter Protection & Maintenance
Check Mulch Depth on Perennials
Verify mulch is 4–6 in deep over perennial beds, garlic, and strawberries. December freeze-thaw cycles can heave plants out of the ground — mulch insulates against this. Add more mulch if it's settled or blown away. Shredded leaves, straw, and pine needles are all excellent winter mulch materials.
Water Evergreens Before Ground Freezes
Give evergreens (arborvitae, boxwood, holly, rhododendron) a deep watering during warm spells in December. Evergreens lose moisture through their foliage all winter. Frozen ground prevents roots from replacing lost water, causing winter burn (brown foliage). A thorough December watering helps prevent this. Apply anti-desiccant spray on broadleaf evergreens.
Protect Container Plants
Move containers to protected locations (against house walls, under eaves). Group containers together for shared warmth. Wrap pots with bubble wrap or burlap to insulate roots. Or bury containers in garden beds up to the rim for winter. Container roots freeze faster than in-ground plants because pots offer no insulation.
Monitor Indoor Houseplants
December is the toughest month for houseplants: low light, dry air from heating, cold drafts from windows. Group plants together to increase humidity. Move away from cold windows (but keep near light). Reduce watering — most plants are semi-dormant. Don't fertilize until March. Watch for spider mites — dry heated air is their paradise.
Inspect Stored Bulbs & Tubers
Check stored dahlia tubers, canna rhizomes, gladiolus corms, and caladium bulbs. Discard any that are soft, moldy, or dried out. They should be firm and plump. If too dry, mist lightly with water. If too moist, add more dry peat moss or vermiculite. Store at 40–50°F in a dark location. Check monthly through winter.
Feed Birds
Keep bird feeders stocked through winter. Birds that visit your garden in winter stay for pest control in summer. Black oil sunflower seeds are the universal favorite. Suet feeds woodpeckers and nuthatches. Nyjer attracts finches. A heated birdbath provides critical water when everything is frozen. Your winter bird-feeding habit builds a year-round pest control team.
📝 December Garden Planning
Order Seed Catalogs
Request free seed catalogs from: Baker Creek, Johnny's Selected Seeds, Territorial, Fedco, Seed Savers Exchange, High Mowing, Park Seed, Burpee. Physical catalogs have better variety descriptions and growing information than websites. Curl up with catalogs, a cup of coffee, and dream about next year's garden. This is the best part of winter.
Plan Crop Rotation
Map out where each crop family will go next year. Follow the rotation: fruiting crops (tomatoes, peppers) → leafy crops (lettuce, kale) → root crops (carrots, beets) → legumes (beans, peas) → back to fruiting. This breaks pest and disease cycles and balances soil nutrients. A 4-year rotation is ideal but even 2-year rotation helps.
Design New Garden Beds
December is perfect for garden design. Measure your space, sketch layouts, plan new beds. Use Yardcast to visualize landscape changes before committing. Consider sun patterns (winter sun is lower — that shady spot may get sun in spring). Plan pathways wide enough for a wheelbarrow (30 in minimum). Add new beds gradually — don't overcommit.
Build Seed Starting Setup
Build or upgrade your indoor seed starting station during December downtime. You need: a shelf or table, full-spectrum LED lights, heat mats, trays, and quality seed-starting mix. Total investment: $75–$200. This setup pays for itself in one season — growing transplants from seed saves hundreds of dollars compared to buying nursery plants.
Review & Update Garden Journal
Review this year's notes: best varieties, pest problems, first/last frost dates, rainfall, what worked and what didn't. Update your journal with improvements for next year. After 2–3 years, your journal becomes the most valuable gardening resource you own — customized to your specific microclimate, soil, and preferences.
Research New Varieties
December is research month. Look for: disease-resistant tomato varieties, new dwarf fruit trees, heat-tolerant lettuce, deer-resistant perennials, pollinator-friendly natives for your region. Check All-America Selections winners for tested, reliable new varieties. Read gardening books — 'The Vegetable Gardener's Bible' and 'Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades' are classics.
🏗️ Cold Frame & Season Extension
Harvest from Cold Frames (Zones 5–8)
If you planted cold frames in September–October, December is harvest time. Lettuce, spinach, mâche, claytonia, and arugula all grow slowly but continuously under cold frames. Open the lid on warm sunny days (above 40°F) to prevent overheating. Close before sunset to trap heat. A simple cold frame extends the harvest season by 2+ months.
Plant in Unheated Greenhouses
Unheated greenhouses and hoop houses support winter growing in zones 5–8. Plant cold-hardy greens: mâche, claytonia, spinach, kale, minutina, sorrel. These crops survive temps to 10–15°F under cover. Eliot Coleman's 'Four-Season Harvest' is the bible for winter greenhouse growing. No supplemental heat needed.
Build a Cold Frame for January
Build a cold frame from scrap lumber and an old window — it's the simplest season-extension tool. Place over a garden bed facing south. Plant lettuce, spinach, or transplant greens from indoors. A cold frame raises temperatures 10–20°F above ambient. Prop open on warm days. This $0–$50 project provides fresh salads all winter.
Indoor Salad Garden
Grow lettuce and greens indoors under grow lights for fresh winter salads. Use shallow trays (4 in deep), quality potting mix, and LED grow lights 14–16 hours/day. Sow leaf lettuce, spinach, arugula, and baby kale. Harvest outer leaves for cut-and-come-again production. A 2×4 ft indoor garden produces enough salad for daily eating.
Winter Sowing Preparation
Collect milk jugs and clear containers for January winter sowing. Clean and save them now. Cut drainage holes in bottoms and slits for air. Stock up on seed-starting mix. Winter sowing starts in January but having supplies ready means you can start immediately when the new year begins.
Grow Mushrooms Indoors
December is perfect for indoor mushroom growing. Oyster mushroom kits produce in 10–14 days — just open the bag, mist daily, and harvest. Shiitake logs started now produce mushrooms in spring. Lion's mane kits are also easy. Mushroom growing uses space that doesn't have enough light for plants. It's the perfect winter complement to indoor gardening.
December Planting Quick Reference
| Plant | Start Indoor | Transplant/Outdoor | Days to Harvest | Zones | Sun | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool-season veg (zones 9–11) | N/A | December | 30–90 | 9–11 | Full sun | Easy |
| Garlic (zones 8–10) | N/A | December | 150–210 | 8–10 | Full sun | Easy |
| Bare-root fruit trees | N/A | Dec–Feb | Year 2–3 | 7–10 | Full sun | Easy |
| Microgreens (indoor) | December | N/A | 7–14 | All (indoor) | Grow light | Easy |
| Amaryllis (indoor) | December | N/A | 6–8 weeks | Indoor | Bright window | Easy |
| Peas & Fava Beans (zones 8–10) | N/A | December | 55–90 | 8–10 | Full sun | Easy |
| Mushroom kits (indoor) | December | N/A | 10–14 | All (indoor) | Low light OK | Easy |
| Onions/Leeks (late Dec start) | Late December | March–April | 90–150 | 5–7 start | Grow light | Moderate |
December Planting FAQs
Can I plant anything outdoors in December?▼
In zones 8–11, yes — December is peak cool-season vegetable planting: lettuce, kale, peas, carrots, broccoli, and bare-root fruit trees. In zones 3–7, outdoor planting is essentially done until spring. Focus on cold frame harvesting, indoor growing, and planning.
What can I grow indoors in December?▼
Microgreens (7–14 days), sprouts (3–5 days), indoor herbs, lettuce under grow lights, forced bulbs (amaryllis, paperwhites), and mushroom kits. These projects require minimal equipment and provide fresh food and flowers during the darkest month.
Is December too late to plant garlic?▼
In zones 8–10, December is fine — even ideal. In zones 5–7, it depends on whether the ground is frozen. If you can still dig, plant immediately and mulch heavily. In zones 3–4, the window has closed — wait until next October.
Should I prune trees in December?▼
Deciduous trees can be pruned in December while fully dormant — this is actually a good time for major structural pruning. However, avoid pruning in extreme cold (below 20°F) as wood is brittle. Don't prune spring-blooming trees/shrubs (they have flower buds). Fruit tree pruning is best in late January–February.
How do I keep my garden alive through winter?▼
Mulch perennials heavily (4–6 in), water evergreens during thaws, protect containers, check stored bulbs monthly, keep bird feeders stocked. Your garden isn't dead in winter — it's resting. Healthy soil biology continues working beneath the mulch.
When should I start ordering seeds?▼
Start ordering in December — many popular varieties sell out in January. Request free seed catalogs now and place orders by mid-January. Create a planting calendar based on your last frost date. Having seeds in hand by February means you're ready when seed-starting season begins.
Design Your Dream Garden This Winter
Upload a photo and see what your yard could look like — with plant lists, costs, and seasonal calendar. Plan now, build in spring.
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