What to Plant in December
USDA Zone 8a
Last frost: Mar 1 – Mar 15
Frost-free days: 220–250
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
Parsley
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Brussels Sprouts
Start Indoors 5
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Parsley
Dec 15 – Jan 1
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
Dec 15 – Jan 1
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cauliflower
Dec 15 – Jan 1
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Cabbage
Dec 15 – Jan 1
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Dec 15 – Jan 1
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Transplant 4
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
December Gardening Tips
- Start Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano 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.
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