What You Can Direct Sow in The Month of December

By TigreBlume

December gardening looks different for everyone depending on your USDA zone. As northern growing spaces fall dormant and gardening moves to indoor setups, southern regions are awakening for a 'second spring,' perfect for cool-season crops."

Here is a breakdown of common vegetables, herbs and flowers you can direct sow in December by USDA zone:

Zones 3–6 (Cool Climate Zones)

In these zones, the ground is likely frozen or covered in snow. Direct sowing is not possible, but you can use winter sowing or indoor methods.

  • Indoor Sowing:

    • Microgreens: Radish and Pea Shoots.

    • Sprouts: Alfalfa and Broccoli.

    • Herbs (with grow lights): Basil, Chives, Parsley.

  • Winter Sowing (Outdoor in Milk Jugs or Zip Lock Storage Bags): Poppies, Snapdragons, Coneflower (Echinacea), Daisy, Black Eyed Susan, Yarrow, Foxglove, Delphiniums, Milkweed, Anise Hyssop, and Pansy seeds that require a “cold stratification” period to germinate in the spring.

Zones 7–8 (The Mild Winter Zones)

December is a transitional month for these zones. You can still get away with some direct sowing if you use frost protection like row covers or cold frames.

  • Vegetables:

    • Leafy Greens: Spinach, Kale, Arugula, Swiss Chard, Mustard Greens.

    • Root Veggies: Radishes, Beets, Turnips, Kohlrabi, Bunching Onions.

    • Brassicas: Broccoli, Cabbage, Collards.

    • Alliums: Garlic and shallots (if the ground isn't frozen yet).

    • Legumes: Peas (snow, snap shelling).

  • Herbs: Chives, Dill, Parsley.

  • Flowers: Poppies, Snapdragons, Sweet Peas (started in deep pots/root trainers) and Calendula.

Zones 9–11 (The Warm South)

This is your primary growing season for cool-weather crops!

  • Vegetables & Fruit:

    • Leafy Greens: Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula, Mustard Greens.

    • Root Veggies: Beets, Carrots, Turnips, Radishes.

    • Brassicas: Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Collards, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi.

    • Alliums: Onions and Shallots.

    • Legumes: Peas (snow, snap shelling).

    • Beans (bush beans and pole beans).

    • Cucumbers and Melons: Cantaloupe, Cucumbers.

  • Herbs: Parsley, Cilantro, Dill.

  • Flowers: Pansies, Violas, Poppies, Calendula, Snapdragons, Sweet Peas, Delphiniums, Baby’s Breath, Cosmos, Nasturtiums

**Zone 10-11: You can begin starting Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants toward the end of the month for an early spring harvest.

💡Fun Fact: Did you know that December is the best time to sow seeds that require "cold stratification"? Nature uses the winter frost to prep seeds like Poppies and Echinacea for a beautiful spring arrival.

 

**Cold stratification is a "winter simulation" for seeds. It is a process where you expose seeds to both cold and moist conditions to break their natural dormancy.