What to plant in December in Louisiana
In Louisiana (LA), December sits about 11 weeks before the average last frost (March 5). The state averages 255 frost-free days a year (last frost March 5, first frost November 15; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b).
9 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including shallot, garlic - and 2 of those windows close during December.
Dates here come from Louisiana frost dates (last frost Mar 5, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, onion or eggplant in Louisiana.
Louisiana: planting activity through the year
Last chance in December
Shallot (plant in fall (after first frost), by Dec 6) · Garlic (plant in fall (after first frost), by Dec 13)
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from Louisiana's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
Start seeds indoors in December (8)
Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeriac | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Celery | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Opens Dec 18 |
| Leek | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Opens Dec 18 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Opens Dec 18 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Opens Dec 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Opens Dec 25 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Opens Dec 25 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Opens Dec 25 |
Harvesting in December
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Louisiana
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Louisiana: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in December in Louisiana
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.
A planning month: December garden jobs in Louisiana
- Order seed while stock is good. Louisiana's average last frost is March 5, so the first indoor sowings begin around December 11 - see starting seeds indoors.
- 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.
- Test old seed: roll ten seeds in a damp paper towel for a week. If fewer than seven sprout, sow thicker or buy fresh.
- 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 Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Louisiana in December?
9 crops have a window in December: shallot, garlic, celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Louisiana in December?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Louisiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 8.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Louisiana in December?
For this year, yes - the lettuce windows in Louisiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 29.
When is the first frost in Louisiana?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 5. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in December in Louisiana?
Celeriac (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Celery (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Leek (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Onion (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Rosemary (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Eggplant (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Parsley (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Shallot (Dec 25 – Jan 8).
What to plant in December in other states
Dates are computed from Louisiana’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.