What to plant in December in zone 9a

16 crops to start indoors, direct sow, or transplant in December in USDA hardiness zone 9a. Typical last spring frost around Mar 2, 2026, first fall frost around Nov 17, 2026 — exact dates vary by location within the zone.

Zone 9a 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.

Artichoke
Arugula
Bunching Onion
Celeriac
Celery
Chinese Celery
Chive
Garlic Chives
Horehound
Leek
Onion
Sage
Shallot
Siberian Kale
Tarragon
Thyme

Keep going

Full zone 9a 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 71477) in zone 9a, computed with the same engine as GardenDraft’s in-app schedule. Guidance, not guarantees — your exact dates depend on your address.