What to plant in December in zone 8a

4 crops to start indoors, direct sow, or transplant in December in USDA hardiness zone 8a. Typical last spring frost around Mar 29, 2026, first fall frost around Nov 8, 2026 — exact dates vary by location within the zone.

Zone 8a covers a lot of ground. Enter your ZIP for December dates from your nearest weather station and a month-by-month calendar:

Start indoors

Sow these under lights or on a windowsill now for transplants later.

Bunching Onion
Leek
Onion
Shallot

Keep going

Full zone 8a planting calendar →
What to plant in December (all zones) →
Succession planting for a continuous harvest →

Timings use NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for a representative location (ZIP 20330) in zone 8a, computed with the same engine as GardenDraft’s in-app schedule. Guidance, not guarantees — your exact dates depend on your address.