My Planting Calendar

What to plant in December in New Jersey

In New Jersey (NJ), December sits about 18 weeks before the average last frost (April 20). The state averages 178 frost-free days a year (last frost April 20, first frost October 15; USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).

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 New Jersey frost dates (last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in New Jersey.

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

New Jersey: planting activity through the year

1
24
70
86
58
11
24
33
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 20 – Oct 15
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 (86).

Planting dates for popular crops in New Jersey

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

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

Spring bulbs to plant in December in New Jersey

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 New Jersey

  1. Order seed while stock is good. New Jersey's average last frost is April 20, so the first indoor sowings begin around January 26 - 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 New Jersey

New Jersey spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in New Jersey in December?

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

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in New Jersey in December?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in New Jersey have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 23.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in New Jersey in December?

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

When is the first frost in New Jersey?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 15 and the last spring frost around April 20. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

← November in New JerseyJanuary in New Jersey →Full-year New Jersey planting calendar →New Jersey frost dates →

What to plant in December in other states

MarylandPennsylvaniaVirginiaAlabamaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoFloridaAll states →

Dates are computed from New Jersey’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.