My Planting Calendar

What to plant in December in Virginia

In Virginia (VA), December sits about 17 weeks before the average last frost (April 15). The state averages 188 frost-free days a year (last frost April 15, first frost October 20; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).

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

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

Virginia 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.

Virginia: planting activity through the year

5
29
65
90
58
10
18
35
19
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 15 – Oct 20
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 (90).

Planting dates for popular crops in Virginia

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

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

Spring bulbs to plant in December in Virginia

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 Virginia

  1. Order seed while stock is good. Virginia's average last frost is April 15, so the first indoor sowings begin around January 21 - 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 Virginia

Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Virginia in December?

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

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Virginia have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 18.

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

For this year, yes - the lettuce windows in Virginia have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 11.

When is the first frost in Virginia?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 15. Virginia covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.

← November in VirginiaJanuary in Virginia →Full-year Virginia planting calendar →Virginia frost dates →

What to plant in December in other states

MarylandNew JerseyPennsylvaniaAlabamaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoFloridaAll states →

Dates are computed from Virginia’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.