Hey fellow garden-lover! I’m excited you stopped by. The chilly air’s rolling in, frost might be flirting with your window — but you know what? Even in December, in a Zone 6 garden like ours, there’s plenty we can plant, prep and enjoy. I’ve been gardening in Zone 6 for years, tweaking my season extension strategies, and I’ve come to appreciate that winter gardening shouldn’t be “on hold” — it can be alive.
Now, of course, preferences vary. Some of us care more about bright colour in the middle of grey months; others are chasing fragrance or productivity (hello, crisp winter greens!). Some gardeners focus on minimal budget and simplicity; others go full greenhouse, cold-frame, and row-cover. I swing between the two: I like a modest budget but love a bit of flair.
I’m sharing this guide because I’ve planted and harvested cold-tolerant veggies in December, prepped bulbs for early spring, and learned (sometimes the hard way) how Zone 6 winters behave. Believe me, the “nothing grows under frost” myth is too limiting.
Stick with me and I’ll walk you through what you can plant in December in Zone 6 — the “what,” the “when,” the “how,” with personal tips and practical advice. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just gearing up for your first winter plot, you’ll find something useful.
Planting Cheat-Sheet: December in Zone 6
Here’s a handy table summarizing some of the best planting options for December in Zone 6. Use it as a quick reference, then I’ll walk you through each in more detail.
| Name | Best Region or Use | Height / Performance | Season / Time | Fragrance / Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kale (winter-tolerant varieties) | Full sun to part shade, cold-climate beds | ~12-24 inches, rosette form | Plant/transplant before deep freeze | Crisp texture, rich flavour after frost |
| Spinach & Swiss Chard | Cold frame, covered garden beds | 8-18 inches (spinach) / 12-24 inches (chard) | Sow or transplant under protection | Leafy green lushness, vibrant colour |
| Carrots & Beets (storage types) | Raised bed with mulch, December sowing | Carrots: ~6-10 inches (roots) | Direct sow or protect for winter harvest | Earthy flavour, sweet after frost |
| Arugula / Mustard greens | Part sun, cold frame or hoop house | 10-16 inches | Sow in early December under cover | Peppery leaves, quick turnaround |
| Garlic (if you’re early) | Cellar or raised bed, mulch top | Bulbs below ground | Plant cloves now for next year | Aroma when crushed, long storage |
| Winter-flowering bulbs / shrubs | Borders or containers for winter interest | Varies widely | Plant now for blooms late winter/early spring | Some fragrance, early blooms |
Detailed Pick-by-Pick Advice
Here are more personal stories and growing tips for each option above. I hope my trials (and a few slip-ups) help you hit it right on your first go.
Kale (winter-tolerant varieties)
I remember one December afternoon pulling on a wool hat, heading out to my little garden plot where the kale leaves were still firm and green despite overnight frosts. Honestly: the cold made them better. Kale in Zone 6 benefits from a light touch of frost — it seems to sweeten the leaves and makes them sturdier.
Tip from experience: Plant or transplant kale into well-drained soil enriched with compost, cover with a hoop or row-cover if a deep freeze is coming (Zone 6 winters can hit 0 °F or lower in sub-zone 6b). Using straw mulch around the base helps insulate young plants. According to “Winter Gardening in Zone 6” advice, leafy greens like kale are among the excellent choices for winter gardens. Fox Run Environmental Education Center+1
Care & maintenance: Harvest outer leaves first, leave the centre to keep growing. Water when the ground is not frozen solid. If ice forms, try to remove heavy snow so the plant isn’t crushed.
Cross-reference: If you like kale, you might also enjoy reading about “cold-season greens” in my article on what to plant in late fall for early spring harvests.
Spinach & Swiss Chard
In my garden I often tuck in a patch of spinach and a row of Swiss chard under a low tunnel. In December you may not get massive growth, but you can get tender leaves for salads and winter stir-fries. Swiss chard especially has those vivid coloured stems (red, yellow, white) which brighten up a grey garden.
Tip from experience: Use cold frames or protective covers: one December I planted spinach outdoors but left it uncovered, and after a week of below 10 °F temps the leaves were stunted. The next year I used a rigid plastic top and the crop held its own. According to Gardening Know How, spinach and chard qualify as cold-frame friendly in Zone 6. Gardening Know How
Care & maintenance: Keep soil slightly moist; avoid waterlogging which can freeze. Harvest continuously to encourage fresh growth. If snow blankets your bed, gently brush it off so light still reaches leaves.
Carrots & Beets (storage types)
Last December I experimented with a “late sow” of storage carrots under a thick straw mulch. The idea: the roots develop slowly and can sit in the ground, even under snow, then you pull them as needed. Some plants even get sweeter after frost. I found I had a stash right through January. Root crops are a real winter gardener’s delight.
Tip from experience: Use raised beds or at least well-drained soil (roots hate soggy winter ground). I recommend planting varieties labelled “storage” or “winter harvest.” From Sow True’s Zone 6 calendar: “A thick layer of straw over root crops like parsnips, carrots, leeks, and beets will protect them long enough to harvest well into winter.” Sow True Seed
Care & maintenance: After sowing, protect with mulch, and mark your rows. In December avoid heavy tilling. Come spring you’ll have less work.
Note: In very cold snaps roots may freeze; if you experience that, shift to harvest quickly or move containers inside.
Arugula / Mustard Greens
One of my favourite “quick and spicy” picks for winter: arugula and mustard greens. They’re not terribly tall, don’t need a huge footprint, and they give you fresh, peppery leaves when so many gardens look dormant. I often sow a batch in early December under a lightweight row-cover; by January I’m picking.
Tip from experience: Choose shady side of the bed (sun intensity is lower in December), and give a little protection at night. Reddit growers in Zone 6 note these types “frost tolerant, down to about 28 °F depending on microclimate.” Reddit
Care & maintenance: Keep the bed weed-free (weeds love to steal light in winter!). Use gentle harvests, little trimming. Protect from heavy snow or ice sheet that might squash tender leaves.
Garlic (if you’re early)
If you’re dreaming ahead, December is a fine time to plant garlic in Zone 6 (especially if your soil isn’t frozen solid yet). I’ve planted cloves in late November/early December and they established roots before ground freezes, which gives them a jump for the next growing season.
Tip from experience: Pick a well-drained bed, amend with compost, plant cloves about 2″ deep and 6″ apart, water in then mulch heavily (I use 4-6″ straw or chopped leaves). Mark the row so you don’t disturb it in spring.
Care & maintenance: Let nature do the rest — the shoots will break through in spring. Because of timing your next harvest will be around mid-summer next year.
Note: If your December is already deep freeze (soil hard), you may delay till very early spring, but December gives the root time to establish.
Winter-Flowering Bulbs / Shrubs for Interest
Beyond veggies, December is a good time to think about planting or prepping shrubs/bulbs that add winter interest. In my own garden I’ve planted a few shrubs and bulbs in late fall so that by early spring they’d bloom. In Zone 6, some hardy varieties tolerate winter conditions. For example: bulbs like crocus and winter-flowering shrubs that start budding as early as December/January. Gardening Know How+1
Tip from experience: Choose plants rated hardy to Zone 6 or better. When planting bulbs or shrubs in December, protect newly planted roots with mulch. Choose a location where winter sun can reach (southern exposure is helpful).
Care & maintenance: After planting, let them settle and don’t fret too much over the frost; just mark the spot and come spring you’ll rejoice. I often schedule this as a “pre-spring surprise” for myself.
Helpful Notes / Expert Advice
Now, to round out our guide, here are some extra take-aways and cautions that are worth knowing if you’re planting in December in Zone 6:
Climate & Regional Advice
- In USDA Zone 6 (which covers large parts of the eastern and mid-western U.S.), the average minimum winter temperature can dip to around 0 to –10 °F (that’s in sub-zone 6a). Proven Winners+1
- December often means shorter daylight hours, lower sun angle, colder soils. That means plants grow more slowly — expectation-setting is key.
- Use micro-climates: south-facing slopes, sheltered against buildings, or where snow drifts are minimal, all help.
- Consider season-extension tools: cold frames, row covers, mulch, hoops. As noted in Winter Gardening for Zone 6: a simple row cover or hoop house can make a big difference. Gardening Know How+1
Seasonal Cautions
- If soil is frozen solid, direct sowing is tricky. You might need to wait or use containers that can be moved.
- Be cautious of ice-sheeting: heavy snow/ice can physically damage tender plants.
- Don’t over-fertilise in December — plants are in slow mode; forcing growth may make them vulnerable.
- Watering changes: plants need less water when growth slows, but you still need to prevent root‐drying especially if no snow cover.
- Spring prediction: note that first and last frost dates vary by a week or so each year — always check local data and micro-climate. pubs.ext.vt.edu
Why This Works (And Why It Matters)
- Frost and cold can actually enhance flavour in some crops (like kale or carrots) by converting starches to sugars.
- Extending your planting season gives you fresh produce when neighbours expect the garden to be dormant.
- The satisfaction of “having something growing” even in deep winter connects you to your garden year-round.
- Preparation in December sets you up for a strong start in spring — planting bulbs, prepping soil, mulching now reduces work later.
Conclusion
Thanks so much for staying with me through this December planting deep dive! I hope you’re feeling inspired — because I am, every time I step outside and see greens peeking through frost or plan a little garlic row for next year.
If you’re in Zone 6 (or have similar conditions), I encourage you to pick one or two of the options above — maybe kale under a cover, a bed of arugula, a row of carrots with straw mulch — and give your garden a little winter push. Garden timing doesn’t stop just because it’s cold.
I’d love to hear about what you’re planting this December: drop a comment, share a photo, let’s swap successes and lessons. If you like, subscribe to get more seasonal guides, real-life garden experiments and low-budget tricks.
Here’s to digging in—even when snow is on the ground—and to many crunchy, fresh winter greens ahead. Happy planting, friends!