What to Plant in December
Austin, TX · Zone 8b
Last frost: Mar 1
Frost-free days: 272
Winter gardening continues — harvest cool-season greens and root vegetables. Plan next year's layout and order seeds early for the best selection.
December at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Chives
Cilantro
Lavender
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Artichoke
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Peas
Potato
Radish
Spinach
Strawberry
Sunflower
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 22
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Brussels Sprouts
Jun 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Parsley
Jul 17 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Celery
Jul 17 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Kale
Aug 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Broccoli
Aug 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Aug 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Aug 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Swiss Chard
Aug 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Lettuce
Sep 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Oct 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Later this month
Sunflower
Dec 24–31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Transplant 21
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Sep 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Sep 24 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Sep 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Broccoli
Oct 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Oct 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Oct 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Oct 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Celery
Oct 9 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Lettuce
Oct 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Nov 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Direct Sow 8
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Dec 16
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Carrot
Sep 9 – Dec 31
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Sep 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Beet
Sep 24 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Turnip
Sep 24 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Peas
Oct 17 – Dec 31
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Cilantro
Oct 24 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Radish
Oct 24 – Dec 31
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
December Gardening Tips
- Start Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Peas, Potato straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Get a soil test now — results come back fast in the off-season and you can amend before spring.
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