December in the Garden
December is the quietest month in most US gardens, with short days and cold weather across much of the country while the far South and coastal areas may still see active growth. Conditions vary widely by region and USDA hardiness zone, so what makes sense in your yard depends on your local climate. Check your area's average first and last frost dates through your local Cooperative Extension office, since those dates drive nearly every timing decision.
What to plant in December
In much of the country the ground is frozen or too cold for outdoor planting, so December is more about planning than sowing. Gardeners in cold regions can start indoor projects such as forcing certain bulbs, tending houseplants, or paging through catalogs to plan next year's beds. In warm southern and coastal zones, cool-season crops and hardy transplants may still go in the ground, and some gardeners set out bare-root and dormant woody plants during their local dormant window. Because timing turns on your frost dates and zone, confirm suitable planting windows with your local Cooperative Extension before you sow or transplant.
Garden tasks for December
This is a good month to clean and store tools, drain and put away hoses in cold areas, and organize seeds and supplies for the coming season. Add a layer of mulch around perennials and newly set plants to help buffer soil temperatures through winter swings, and gently brush heavy snow off shrubs and branches when it is safe to do so. Review notes from the past year, sketch out crop rotations, and place seed orders early while selection is good. In colder regions this is a natural time for dormant-season structural pruning of many deciduous trees and shrubs, though the best timing differs by plant and region, so check local guidance first.
Colder regions (zones 3-6)
In colder northern zones (roughly 3 to 6) the outdoor garden is usually dormant or under snow, so most work moves indoors to planning, seed inventory, and tool care. Keep an eye on protective mulch and coverings after freeze-and-thaw cycles that can heave plants out of the soil, and knock heavy snow loads off evergreens where you can reach them safely. Provide winter interest and shelter for birds, and hold off on planting until your local last-frost window returns in spring.
Warmer regions (zones 8-10)
In warmer southern zones (roughly 8 to 10) December can still be an active gardening month, with cool-season crops growing and some hardy transplants going in during mild spells. Even so, occasional cold snaps and frost can arrive, so keep row covers or other simple protection on hand and watch local forecasts along with your area's frost dates. Many gardeners use the cooler dormant weeks for planting bare-root and dormant woody plants and for structural pruning, guided by their local Cooperative Extension.
Not sure of your timing? Look up your local frost dates and planting calendar by ZIP.
Timing depends on your local frost dates and USDA hardiness zone; confirm with your local Cooperative Extension office. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.