December in Zone 7
December in Zone 7: light winter growing continues. Harvest overwintered greens; plan spring garden.
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- Min Winter Temp
- 0 to 10 °F / -18 to -12 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Late March – mid April
- First Fall Frost
- Mid October – mid November
- Growing Season
- 200–225 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 30–60 in
December overview
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 7 last frost
- Late March – mid April
- Zone 7 first frost
- Mid October – mid November
0
Sow indoors
0
Sow outdoors
0
Transplant
4
Harvest
3
Maintenance
🧺 Harvest
Harvest overwintering kale, spinach, and root vegetables
Kale
Sow ¼ inch deep directly or in trays; very cold-hardy; direct sow works well in cool soil.
Spinach
Sow ½ inch deep, 2 inches apart; germinates best at 50–65°F; thin to 6 inches.
Carrots
Sow ¼ inch deep in loose, deep soil; mix with sand for even distribution; thin to 3 inches.
Leeks
Sow ¼ inch deep in trays; transplant into 6-inch-deep trenches for blanching.
🛠️ Maintenance
Order seeds; plan spring planting
Prune dormant fruit trees
Apple
Prune to open vase shape; remove crossing branches; apply dormant oil before bud break.
Pear
Prune lightly; pears are prone to fire blight — disinfect tools between cuts.
Peach
Follow standard planting guidelines for Peach.
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 7: common questions
What can I plant in December in Zone 7?＋
December is mainly a planning and preparation month in Zone 7 — the ground is typically too cold for sowing outdoors. Order seeds, start onions and leeks indoors, and prepare beds for the season ahead.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 7?＋
Zone 7 typically has its last spring frost around Late March – mid April and its first fall frost around Mid October – mid November, giving a growing season of roughly 200–225 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What's ready to harvest in December in Zone 7?＋
In December, Zone 7 gardeners are typically harvesting Kale, Spinach, Carrots, and Leeks. Pick regularly — frequent harvesting keeps most crops producing longer.