What to Plant in December

Seattle, WA · Zone 8b

Last frost: Mar 8 Frost-free days: 257

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
Mint
Parsley
Brussels Sprouts
Celery
Leek
Onion
Spinach
Strawberry

Start Indoors 9

Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.

Plant now

Chives
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft 60–90 days
Mint
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Strawberry
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts
Oct 24 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft 80–110 days
Spinach
Spinach
Nov 16 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft 35–50 days
Onion
Onion
Nov 24 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft 100–120 days
Leek
Leek
Dec 1–31
4 per sq ft 90–150 days
Parsley
Parsley
Dec 9–31
4 per sq ft 70–90 days

Later this month

Celery
Celery
Dec 24–31
4 per sq ft 80–120 days

Transplant 4

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Plant now

Chives
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft 60–90 days
Mint
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Strawberry
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 60–90 days

Later this month

Spinach
Spinach
Dec 17–31
9 per sq ft 35–50 days

December Gardening Tips

  • Start Spinach, Strawberry, Celery indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
  • Spinach, Strawberry, Chives can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
  • Get a soil test now — results come back fast in the off-season and you can amend before spring.

Nearby Cities

Ready to plan your garden?

Add these crops to your garden plan and get personalized planting reminders for Zone 8b.

Start Planning Free