What to Plant in December
Raleigh, NC · 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
Lavender
Mint
Parsley
Rosemary
Thyme
Artichoke
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Peas
Spinach
Strawberry
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 19
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
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Spinach
Sep 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Brussels Sprouts
Sep 16 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Leek
Oct 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Oct 24 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Parsley
Nov 9 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
Dec 1–31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Dec 1–31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Dec 1–31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Celery
Dec 1–31
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Lavender
Dec 9–31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Rosemary
Dec 9–31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Kale
Dec 9–31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lettuce
Dec 9–31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Swiss Chard
Dec 9–31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Later this month
Thyme
Dec 17–31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Dec 17–31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Transplant 12
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 17 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Leek
Jan 17 – Dec 8
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 17 – Dec 16
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Oct 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Broccoli
Nov 1 – Dec 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Nov 1 – Dec 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Nov 1 – Dec 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Lettuce
Nov 24 – Jan 8
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Later this month
Swiss Chard
Dec 17–31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Direct Sow 3
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Beet
Jan 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Turnip
Jan 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Peas
Nov 24 – Dec 31
8 per sq ft
55–70 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 Peas, Beet, Turnip 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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