What to Plant in December
Birmingham, AL · Zone 7b
Last frost: Mar 25
Frost-free days: 230
The garden rests under snow or mulch. This is planning season — review what worked, order seeds, and sketch out next year's bed layouts.
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
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Peas
Spinach
Strawberry
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 21
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 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
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Brussels Sprouts
Sep 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Lettuce
Sep 9 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Sep 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Kale
Oct 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Broccoli
Nov 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Nov 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Nov 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Celery
Nov 9 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Lavender
Nov 16 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Rosemary
Nov 16 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Thyme
Nov 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Nov 24 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Oregano
Dec 9–31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Dec 9–31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Transplant 14
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 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
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Broccoli
Sep 16 – Jan 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Sep 16 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Sep 16 – Jan 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Sep 16 – Jan 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Lettuce
Oct 9 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Oct 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Kale
Dec 1–31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Direct Sow 5
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Beet
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Carrot
Jan 1 – Dec 31
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Turnip
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Peas
Sep 24 – Dec 31
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Cilantro
Oct 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–45 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, Beet 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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