What to plant in December in zone 8
USDA zone 8 has winter lows of 10 to 20°F, a typical last spring frost around Mar 20 and first fall frost around Nov 5, roughly 230 frost-free days. December is the "a planning month" there.
2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including garlic - and 1 of those windows close during December.
Dates come from the typical frost dates of USDA zone 8 (last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 5). A zone covers many climates, so for dates tuned to your town use the planting calendar, or pick your state below.
Zone 8: planting activity through the year
Last chance in December
Garlic (plant in fall (after first frost), by Dec 3)
For fall and winter harvests (1)
Sowings counted back from zone 8's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | Plant in fall (after first frost) | Nov 16 – Dec 3 | Last chance - ends Dec 3 |
Start seeds indoors in December (1)
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 26 – Jan 9 | Opens Dec 26 |
Harvesting in December
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
A planning month: December garden jobs in zone 8
- Order seed while stock is good. Zone 8's average last frost is March 20, so the first indoor sowings begin around December 26 - 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.
Questions gardeners ask
What can I plant in zone 8 in December?
2 crops have a window in December: garlic, celeriac. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
When are the last and first frost in zone 8?
The typical last spring frost is around Mar 20 and the first fall frost around Nov 5. These are broad zone averages, so your own town can be a week or two either side: look yours up by ZIP code in the planting calendar.
What should I start indoors in zone 8 in December?
Celeriac (Dec 26 – Jan 9).
December in states with land in zone 8
Zone 8 in other months
What to plant in December in other zones
Dates are computed from the zone’s typical frost dates and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side.