My Planting Calendar

What to plant in December in California

In California (CA), the average first fall frost (December 1) has passed by mid-December. The state averages 284 frost-free days a year (last frost February 20, first frost December 1; USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b).

25 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including shallot, garlic - and 1 of those windows close during December.

Dates here come from California frost dates (last frost Feb 20, first frost Dec 1). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, onion or eggplant in California.

After the first frostSow or plant: 25Start indoors: 24Harvesting: 34

California covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.

California: planting activity through the year

70
83
63
9
9
9
3
9
29
20
2
25
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Feb 20 – Dec 1
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 25 have one in December; the busiest month is February (83).

Last chance in December

Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Dec 12)

For fall and winter harvests (2)

Sowings counted back from California's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
ShallotPlant in fall (after first frost)Dec 5 – Dec 22Dec 5 – Dec 22
GarlicPlant in fall (after first frost)Dec 12 – Dec 29Dec 12 – Dec 29

Start seeds indoors in December (24)

Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
CeleriacStart seeds indoorsNov 28 – Dec 12Last chance - ends Dec 12
CeleryStart seeds indoorsDec 5 – Dec 19Dec 5 – Dec 19
LeekStart seeds indoorsDec 5 – Dec 19Dec 5 – Dec 19
OnionStart seeds indoorsDec 5 – Dec 19Dec 5 – Dec 19
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsDec 5 – Dec 19Dec 5 – Dec 19
EggplantStart seeds indoorsDec 12 – Dec 26Dec 12 – Dec 26
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsDec 12 – Dec 26Dec 12 – Dec 26
ShallotStart seeds indoorsDec 12 – Dec 26Dec 12 – Dec 26
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsDec 19 – Jan 2Opens Dec 19
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsDec 19 – Jan 2Opens Dec 19
GingerStart seeds indoorsDec 19 – Jan 2Opens Dec 19
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsDec 19 – Jan 2Opens Dec 19
MintStart seeds indoorsDec 19 – Jan 2Opens Dec 19
OreganoStart seeds indoorsDec 19 – Jan 2Opens Dec 19
SageStart seeds indoorsDec 19 – Jan 2Opens Dec 19
TarragonStart seeds indoorsDec 19 – Jan 2Opens Dec 19
ThymeStart seeds indoorsDec 19 – Jan 2Opens Dec 19
TurmericStart seeds indoorsDec 19 – Jan 2Opens Dec 19
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsDec 26 – Jan 9Opens Dec 26
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsDec 26 – Jan 9Opens Dec 26
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsDec 26 – Jan 9Opens Dec 26
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsDec 26 – Jan 9Opens Dec 26
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsDec 26 – Jan 9Opens Dec 26
TomatoStart seeds indoorsDec 26 – Jan 9Opens Dec 26

Harvesting in December

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Broccoli · Oct 21 – Dec 2Cauliflower · Oct 21 – Dec 7Cabbage · Oct 21 – Dec 17Lettuce · Oct 26 – Dec 12Brussels Sprouts · Oct 30 – Dec 16Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Oct 31 – Dec 2Napa Cabbage · Nov 1 – Dec 13Mustard Greens · Nov 2 – Dec 4Fennel (Bulb) · Nov 2 – Dec 14Cilantro / Coriander · Nov 3 – Dec 15Carrot · Nov 4 – Dec 11Radicchio · Nov 4 – Dec 31Dill · Nov 5 – Dec 12Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Nov 5 – Dec 12Pea · Nov 6 – Dec 8Collard Greens · Nov 6 – Dec 13Tatsoi · Nov 7 – Dec 9Beet · Nov 8 – Dec 15Radish · Nov 8 – Dec 3Ginger · Nov 8 – Jan 7Turmeric · Nov 8 – Jan 7Spinach · Nov 9 – Dec 4Arugula · Nov 9 – Dec 6Kohlrabi · Nov 10 – Dec 12Mache (Corn Salad) · Nov 10 – Dec 12Turnip · Nov 12 – Dec 19Chervil · Nov 12 – Dec 19Rutabaga · Nov 13 – Dec 10Borage · Nov 20 – Dec 27Parsley · Nov 21 – Dec 28Green Onion / Scallion · Nov 25 – Jan 1Watercress · Nov 29 – Dec 26Endive & Escarole · Dec 6 – Jan 7Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Dec 10 – Jan 11

Planting dates for popular crops in California

Every crop has its own full-year dates for California: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant garlic in California →When to plant onion in California →When to plant eggplant in California →When to plant bell pepper in California →When to plant chili pepper in California →When to plant tomato in California →When to plant lettuce in California →When to plant carrot in California →California frost dates by zone →

Spring bulbs to plant in December in California

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.

Bulb planting guide by state, with depth and spacing →When to plant daffodils →When to plant tulips →

After the first frost: December garden jobs in California

  1. The average first frost (December 1) has passed - pull frost-killed tender plants and compost the healthy ones; bin or burn anything that had blight or mildew.
  2. Plant garlic now (Dec 12 – Dec 29): single cloves, pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, then mulch.
  3. Leave cold-hardy roots (carrots, parsnips, leeks) in the ground under a thick mulch and dig them as needed.
  4. Clean and oil tools, drain hoses, and note what worked this year while you still remember - it makes next year's plan far easier.

USDA zone chart for California

California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days
Zone 10Jan 30Dec 15330 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in California in December?

25 crops have a window in December: shallot, garlic, celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley, bell pepper and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in California in December?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in California have closed. The next step is to transplant outdoors from about February 20.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in California in December?

For this year, yes - the lettuce windows in California have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 16.

When is the first frost in California?

The statewide average first fall frost is around December 1 and the last spring frost around February 20. California covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in December in California?

Celeriac (Nov 28 – Dec 12), Celery (Dec 5 – Dec 19), Leek (Dec 5 – Dec 19), Onion (Dec 5 – Dec 19), Rosemary (Dec 5 – Dec 19), Eggplant (Dec 12 – Dec 26), Parsley (Dec 12 – Dec 26), Shallot (Dec 12 – Dec 26), Bell Pepper (Dec 19 – Jan 2), Chili Pepper (Dec 19 – Jan 2), Ginger (Dec 19 – Jan 2), Green Onion / Scallion (Dec 19 – Jan 2), Mint (Dec 19 – Jan 2), Oregano (Dec 19 – Jan 2), Sage (Dec 19 – Jan 2), Tarragon (Dec 19 – Jan 2), Thyme (Dec 19 – Jan 2), Turmeric (Dec 19 – Jan 2), Ground Cherry (Dec 26 – Jan 9), Lemon Balm (Dec 26 – Jan 9), Shiso (Perilla) (Dec 26 – Jan 9), Sweet Marjoram (Dec 26 – Jan 9), Tomatillo (Dec 26 – Jan 9), Tomato (Dec 26 – Jan 9).

← November in CaliforniaJanuary in California →Full-year California planting calendar →California frost dates →

What to plant in December in other states

AlabamaArizonaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisIndianaKentuckyAll states →

Dates are computed from California’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.