What to Plant in December
Richmond, VA · Zone 7a
Last frost: Apr 1
Frost-free days: 214
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
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Leek
Onion
Turnip
Start Indoors 12
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Brussels Sprouts
Oct 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Leek
Nov 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Nov 24 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Chives
Dec 9–31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Dec 9–31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Later this month
Mint
Dec 17–31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Celery
Dec 17–31
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Lavender
Dec 24–31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Rosemary
Dec 24–31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Broccoli
Dec 24–31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Dec 24–31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Dec 24–31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Direct Sow 1
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Turnip
Dec 9–23
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
December Gardening Tips
- Start Broccoli, Cabbage, Celery indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Direct sow 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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