December in Zone 5
December in Zone 5: garden planning season. Order seeds, review notes, plan improvements.
Quick answer · Updated July 2026
In December, Zone 5 gardeners can plant Paperwhites, Hyacinths, and Amaryllis. Zone 5's last frost is around Late April – early May and first frost around Early – mid October — the full task list below has exact timing for each crop.
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- Min Winter Temp
- -20 to -10 °F / -29 to -23 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Late April – early May
- First Fall Frost
- Early – mid October
- Growing Season
- 150–180 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 25–50 in
Gardening in December in Zone 5
By December, Zone 5 has passed its first fall frost (Early – mid October) and the outdoor season is largely over. It's time for cleanup, mulching, and putting beds to rest — though cold-hardy crops under cover can still produce.
The planting focus in Zone 5 this month is Paperwhites, Hyacinths, and Amaryllis — see the task cards below for exactly how and when to sow each in your conditions.
About December in the garden
December is the quietest month in cold-zone gardens. Planning, education, and equipment preparation fill the time. In warm zones, cool-season gardens are fully active and the holiday season includes fresh garden harvests. The winter solstice marks the turning point toward longer days.
Garden planning and seed catalog browsing in cold zones; active harvesting in warm zones; holiday greens; equipment maintenance; reflection and planning for the year ahead.
- Season
- winter
- Temperature trend
- Coldest period begins; winter solstice (shortest day) around December 21.
- Daylight
- Shortest days of the year; winter solstice around December 21 marks the turning point.
- Zone 5 last frost
- Late April – early May
- Zone 5 first frost
- Early – mid October
3
Sow indoors
0
Sow outdoors
0
Transplant
0
Harvest
2
Maintenance
🌱 Sow indoors
Force spring bulbs indoors
Paperwhites
No chilling needed; pot up in pebbles and water for 4–6 weeks of indoor bloom.
Hyacinths
Plant 6 inches deep; chill in zones above 7 if winters are mild.
Amaryllis
Pot with the top ⅓ of the bulb above soil; water sparingly until shoot appears.
🛠️ Maintenance
Order seeds from catalogs
Plan crop rotations and new plantings
General December tasks
These apply broadly regardless of zone — a useful checklist alongside the zone-specific tasks above.
- ✓Review what worked and what didn't in this year's garden — take notes
- ✓Browse seed catalogs and create wish list for next season
- ✓Clean, sharpen, and oil all garden tools before storage
- ✓Service lawn mower and garden equipment
- ✓Harvest fresh winter vegetables in warm zones (Zones 8–13)
- ✓Force spring bulbs indoors for winter bloom: paperwhites, amaryllis
- ✓Order bare-root trees, roses, and fruit plants for late winter planting
- ✓Repot and refresh houseplants; take cuttings of favorite tender plants
⚠ Watch-outs for December
- ⚠Monitor cold frames and low tunnels during cold snaps — ventilate on warm days
- ⚠Salt and ice-melt products damage nearby plants — use sand or kitty litter instead
- ⚠Holiday plants (poinsettia, cyclamen) need cool, bright locations to last through the season
- ⚠Check stored produce (potatoes, squash, apples) and remove any showing rot
December in Zone 5: common questions
What can I plant in December in Zone 5?＋
In December, Zone 5 gardeners can sow or transplant Paperwhites, Hyacinths, and Amaryllis. December in Zone 5: garden planning season. Order seeds, review notes, plan improvements.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 5?＋
Zone 5 typically has its last spring frost around Late April – early May and its first fall frost around Early – mid October, giving a growing season of roughly 150–180 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What garden jobs matter most in December in Zone 5?＋
Focus on review what worked and what didn't in this year's garden — take notes, browse seed catalogs and create wish list for next season, clean, sharpen, and oil all garden tools before storage. Watch out for monitor cold frames and low tunnels during cold snaps — ventilate on warm days.