My Planting Calendar

What to plant in December in Indiana

In Indiana (IN), December sits about 19 weeks before the average last frost (April 24). The state averages 170 frost-free days a year (last frost April 24, first frost October 11; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b).

Almost nothing is due to be sown in December - it's a month for planning, ordering seed and looking after what's already growing.

Dates here come from Indiana frost dates (last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 11). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Indiana.

A planning monthSow or plant: 0Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 0

Indiana: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
11
25
32
3
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 24 – Oct 11
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 0 have one in December; the busiest month is April (78).

Planting dates for popular crops in Indiana

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

When to plant tomato in Indiana →When to plant lettuce in Indiana →When to plant garlic in Indiana →When to plant bell pepper in Indiana →When to plant carrot in Indiana →When to plant onion in Indiana →When to plant pea in Indiana →When to plant spinach in Indiana →Indiana frost dates by zone →

Spring bulbs to plant in December in Indiana

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 →

A planning month: December garden jobs in Indiana

  1. Order seed while stock is good. Indiana's average last frost is April 24, so the first indoor sowings begin around January 30 - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. Sketch this year's beds and move each crop family to a new spot - the garden planner and the crop rotation guide make it quick.
  3. Test old seed: roll ten seeds in a damp paper towel for a week. If fewer than seven sprout, sow thicker or buy fresh.
  4. If the ground isn't frozen, spread compost now so it's worked in by spring, and send off a soil test - December is when labs are quiet.

USDA zone chart for Indiana

Indiana spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b. 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

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Indiana in December?

Very little is sown outdoors in Indiana in December. Use the month to plan beds, order seed and prepare soil.

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Indiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 27.

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

For this year, yes - the lettuce windows in Indiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 20.

When is the first frost in Indiana?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 11 and the last spring frost around April 24. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

← November in IndianaJanuary in Indiana →Full-year Indiana planting calendar →Indiana frost dates →

What to plant in December in other states

IllinoisMichiganMinnesotaMissouriOhioWisconsinAlabamaArizonaAll states →

Dates are computed from Indiana’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.