My Planting Calendar

What to plant in December in Ohio

In Ohio (OH), December sits about 19 weeks before the average last frost (April 25). The state averages 172 frost-free days a year (last frost April 25, first frost October 14; 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 Ohio frost dates (last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 14). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Ohio.

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

Ohio: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
11
24
34
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 25 – Oct 14
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 Ohio

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

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

Spring bulbs to plant in December in Ohio

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 Ohio

  1. Order seed while stock is good. Ohio's average last frost is April 25, so the first indoor sowings begin around January 31 - 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 Ohio

Ohio 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 Ohio in December?

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

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Ohio have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 28.

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

For this year, yes - the lettuce windows in Ohio have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 21.

When is the first frost in Ohio?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 14 and the last spring frost around April 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

← November in OhioJanuary in Ohio →Full-year Ohio planting calendar →Ohio frost dates →

What to plant in December in other states

IllinoisIndianaMichiganMinnesotaMissouriWisconsinAlabamaArizonaAll states →

Dates are computed from Ohio’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.