December in Zone 8
December in Zone 8 (last frost late february – late march, first frost mid november – mid december). There are 5 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
Quick answer · Updated October 2026
In December, Zone 8 gardeners can plant Celery, Petunias, Impatiens, Geraniums, and Begonias. Zone 8's last frost is around Late February – late March and first frost around Mid November – mid December — the full task list below has exact timing for each crop.
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- Min Winter Temp
- 10 to 20 °F / -12 to -7 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Late February – late March
- First Fall Frost
- Mid November – mid December
- Growing Season
- 225–270 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 20–65 in
Gardening in December in Zone 8
December typically brings the first fall frost to Zone 8, around Mid November – mid December. Tender crops are winding down — gather what's left and protect or pull warm-season plants as the cold arrives.
The planting focus in Zone 8 this month is Celery, Petunias, Impatiens, Geraniums, and Begonias — 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 8 last frost
- Late February – late March
- Zone 8 first frost
- Mid November – mid December
5
Sow indoors
0
Sow outdoors
0
Transplant
0
Harvest
1
Maintenance
🌱 Sow indoors
Start these indoors
Get a jump on the season under lights or on a sunny windowsill so transplants are ready when the weather warms.
Sow seed on the surface or barely covered. Germinates in 14–21 days (slow; needs light).
Sow Surface-sow — dust-fine seed needs light to germinate. Germinates in 7–14 days at 70–75°f.
Sow Surface-sow — dust-fine seed needs light to germinate. Germinates in 14–21 days at 70–75°f.
Sow seed on the surface (needs light); transplant at nursery depth. Germinates in 7–14 days at 70–75°f.
Sow Surface-sow seed (needs light); transplant at nursery depth. Germinates in 14–21 days at 70–75°f.
🛠️ Maintenance
Get ahead of first frost
First fall frost arrives around now in Zone 8.
📌 Harvest tender crops, cover beds on frost nights, plant garlic, sow a cover crop on empty beds, and bring in herbs to overwinter.
When to plant this month's crops in Zone 8
Full planting calendars — start indoors, transplant, and harvest timing — for the crops you're planting in December.
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 8: common questions
What can I plant in December in Zone 8?＋
In December, Zone 8 gardeners can sow or transplant Celery, Petunias, Impatiens, Geraniums, and Begonias. December in Zone 8 (last frost late february – late march, first frost mid november – mid december). There are 5 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 8?＋
Zone 8 typically has its last spring frost around Late February – late March and its first fall frost around Mid November – mid December, giving a growing season of roughly 225–270 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What garden jobs matter most in December in Zone 8?＋
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.