December in Zone 6 is not a "plant whatever you want" season. Actually, the ground is half-frozen, the sunlight feels like someone put it on low battery saver, and your plants are basically taking a long winter break.
I know this month in zone 6 looks like the garden is dead, but trust me, it's not. You can plant a few super tough crops that actually like the cold, plus do some smart prep for spring.
So, in this guide, I will show you exactly what you can still plant in December in Zone 6, how to protect it from frost and snow, and the small tricks that actually make the difference between "it survived" and "wow, that worked!".
Leafy Greens to Plant in Zone 6 in December
Yes, you can still plant leafy greens, but only the real cold-hardy ones.
Let me make it clear to you. These are the ones that:
- Can handle freezing nights
- Just sit and stay calm during the really cold winter days
- Then suddenly start growing fast in late winter or early spring
Now, have a look at the table below, and you will know exactly which leafy greens you can plant right now.
| Leafy Green | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations | Winter Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach | "Direct sow seeds ½" deep in rows 6" apart; or transplants in pots." | N/A | 30-45 days (baby leaves); 50-60 full. | Bloomsdale Long Standing; Winter Bloomsdale; Giant Winter | Row cover in hard frost; light mulch. |
| Kale | "Direct sow or transplants spaced 18" apart." | N/A (direct sow) / 35–40 days after sowing (transplants) | 50-65 days. | Winterbor F1; Lacinato; Red Russian | Mulch base; cover below 20°F. |
| Swiss Chard | "Direct sow ½" deep, thin to 12"; transplants okay." | N/A for direct sow / 30–35 days after sowing for transplants | 45-60 days. | Fordhook Giant; Rainbow Mix | Mulch crowns; cover in cold snaps. |
| Arugula | "Direct sow densely ¼" deep for cut-and-come-again." | N/A | 20-40 days. | Astro; Surfer | Grow under tunnel; light mulch. |
| Mustard Greens | "Direct sow ¼" deep, rows 6" apart." | N/A | 30-45 days. | Red Giant; Mizuna | Row cover in deep cold. |
| Collards | "Transplants 18-24" apart; direct sow rare in cold." | 35–45 days after sowing | 60-70 days. | Georgia Southern; Vates | Thick mulch; fleece below 15–20°F. |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | "Direct sow ¼" deep in patches." | N/A | 40-50 days. | Vit; heirloom mix | Light mulch; avoid soggy soil. |
| Winter Lettuce | Transplants in trays; direct sow loose-head types. | 25–35 days after sowing / N/A for direct sow | 45-60 days. | Winter Density; Rouge d'Hiver; Arctic King | Best in cold frame; double cover in deep frost. |
| Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia) | "Direct sow ¼" deep; shade-tolerant." | N/A | 30-40 days. | Standard; wild type | Very hardy; light mulch only. |
Plant leafy greens in well-drained soil and protect them with mulch or row covers during extreme cold.
Mache (Corn Salad) is extremely cold-hardy and can survive under snow. It generally does not need additional winter protection.
Vegetables
This is not the time for tomatoes or cucumbers. As I said earlier, the soil is half frozen, and you cannot start most veggies in frozen soil.
This is basically garlic, onion, and shallot season—mostly root vegetables.
| Vegetable | Planting Method | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations | Winter Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrots | Direct sow ¼" deep, thin to 2-3" | 60-75 days | Napoli; Bolero | Mulch roots; harvest small ones |
| Beets | Direct sow ½" deep, thin to 4" | 50-60 days | Detroit Dark Red; Chioggia | Mulch; tolerate mild frost |
| Radishes | Direct sow ½" deep, rows 4" apart | 25-40 days | Winterbor; Black Spanish | Cover if very cold; harvest gradually |
| Turnips | Direct sow ½" deep, thin to 4" | 40-55 days | Hakurei; Purple Top White Globe | Mulch roots; harvest greens lightly |
| Rutabagas | Direct sow ½" deep, thin to 6" | 90-120 days | American Purple Top; Laurentian | Mulch thickly; sweeter after frost |
| Shallots | Direct sow or sets 1" deep, 6" apart | 90-120 days | French Red; Griselle | Mulch bulbs; ensure soil drains well |
| Parsnips | Direct sow ½" deep; slow starter | 90-120 days | Hollow Crown | Mulch heavily; harvest small roots |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow or transplants 6-8" apart | 50-60 days | Kolibri; White Vienna | Mulch or cover; mild frost improves taste |
| Leeks | Transplants 6" apart; hill soil for blanching | 90-120 days | Autumn Giant; Bandit | Mulch bases; harvest outer leaves only |
Skip the fertilizer now—winter is the time for roots to settle, not for making new leaves.
If you leave carrots in the ground over winter, they usually taste sweeter because the cold turns some of their starch into sugar.
If the winters get really cold (below 15°F / -9°C), use low tunnels to give your plants an extra layer of protection.
Fruits and Berries
| Fruit / Berry | Planting Method | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations | Max Height | Winter Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple (Hardy) | Plant container trees | 2–4 years | Honeycrisp, Liberty, Gala | 10–15 ft (dwarf) | Mulch base, protect trunk. |
| Pear | Plant container tree | 2–3 years | Bartlett, Anjou | 10–15 ft (dwarf) | Mulch base, guard young trunk. |
| Tart Cherry | Plant container tree | 2–3 years | Montmorency, North Star, Balaton | 8–12 ft (dwarf) | Mulch well, avoid heavy pruning. |
| Blueberries | Plant container shrubs | Next summer (light crop) | Bluecrop, Patriot | 4–6 ft | Keep soil moist, add thick mulch. |
| Raspberries | Plant dormant canes | Next summer | Heritage, Caroline, Autumn Bliss | 4–6 ft | Mulch roots, remove dead canes. |
| Blackberries | Plant dormant canes | Next summer | Triple Crown, Chester | 5–8 ft | Tie canes, mulch around base. |
| Currants | Plant dormant shrubs | Next summer | Red Lake, Blackdown, Rovada, Ben Lomond | 3–5 ft | Mulch base, light prune. |
| Gooseberries | Plant dormant shrubs | Next summer | Invicta, Poorman, Hinnonmäki Red | 3–4 ft | Mulch base, remove weak shoots. |
If the ground is frozen, don't plant your tree or bush into the ground. It can damage the roots, and the plant will likely die. Instead, put the roots in a big pot or tub with soil or compost, keep the soil a little damp (not too wet), and plant it in the ground properly when the soil becomes soft again in late winter or early spring.
When you add mulch, spread it in a wide circle around the base of the plant, but keep a small gap around the trunk or main stem. If the mulch touches the trunk, it can cause rot and attract pests.
Flowers to plant in Zone 6 in December
| Flower Name | Planting Method | Flower Color | First Bloom | Perennial or Annual | Winter Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poppies | Winter sow in containers | Various (red, orange, pink, white) | Late spring | Annual | Protect seedlings from extreme frost |
| Lupines | Winter sow | Various (purple, blue, pink, white) | Late spring | Perennial | Mulch roots to prevent freezing |
| Tulips | Plant bulbs in soil | Red, yellow, pink, white, purple | Spring | Perennial | Mulch after planting to protect from frost |
| Daffodils | Plant bulbs in soil | Yellow, white | Early spring | Perennial | Mulch to prevent soil freezing |
| Pansies | Plant seedlings or seeds | Purple, yellow, blue, white | Winter to early spring | Annual/Biennial | Mulch lightly and protect from heavy snow |
| Hellebores | Plant in soil | White, pink, purple, green | Winter to early spring | Perennial | Mulch around base to protect roots |
| Hyacinths | Plant bulbs in soil | Pink, purple, white, blue | Early spring | Perennial | Cover bulbs with mulch to avoid frost |
| Crocus | Plant bulbs in soil | Purple, yellow, white | Early spring | Perennial | Mulch lightly after planting |
| Snowdrops (Galanthus) | Plant bulbs in soil | White | Late winter | Perennial | Mulch lightly to protect from frost |
Trust me, these flowers are great to plant in December in Zone 6, either by winter sowing seeds or planting bulbs.
Plant your bulbs before the ground freezes. If the soil is colder than 40°F, your bulbs may rot. Plant them 6–8 inches deep, pointy side up, and in groups of 10 or more for a big impact.
Herbs to Plant in December
December is indoor herb month.
Anything outdoors is mostly just surviving.
These are some herbs that you can plant in pots on a bright windowsill or under grow lights.
| Herbs | Planting Method | First Harvest | Flavour | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thyme | Grow indoors / overwinter outdoors with mulch | Anytime indoors | Earthy, slightly minty | English Thyme, Lemon Thyme |
| Oregano | Grow indoors in pots | Anytime indoors | Strong, warm, slightly bitter | Greek Oregano |
| Parsley | Grow indoors from seed | 6–8 weeks | Fresh, mild, slightly peppery | Italian Flat Leaf, Curl Leaf |
| Cilantro | Grow indoors in pots | 3–4 weeks | Bright, citrusy, sharp | Santo, Calypso, Leisure |
| Chives | Grow indoors from divisions or seed | 4–6 weeks | Mild onion-like | Common Chives |
| Mint | Grow indoors (cuttings or small plants) | 3–4 weeks | Cool, refreshing, sweet | Spearmint, Peppermint, Chocolate Mint, Apple Mint |
| Rosemary | Grow indoors only | 8–10 weeks | Pine-like, woody, slightly bitter | Tuscan Blue, Arp |
If you are planning to grow leafy greens, herbs, or indoor bulbs in December, having the right grow light can make a huge difference. So, check out our guide on Best Grow Lights for Plants to find the perfect light for your winter garden.
