December in Santa Cruz County is the garden's quiet month. Growth slows to a crawl, rain settles in, and most gardeners are focused on the holidays rather than planting.

But here's the secret: you can still plant in December. Not everything, and growth will be slow, but there are crops that thrive in our mild winter conditions - and December is also one of the best months for planning next year's garden.

Why December Planting (Mostly) Doesn't Happen

Let's be honest: December is not a major planting month. Days are short (winter solstice is December 21), temperatures are cool, and soil is often wet from rain. Seeds germinate slowly or not at all, and transplants just sit there.

But "mostly doesn't happen" is not the same as "can't happen."

What You Can Still Plant in December

Cold-Hardy Greens (direct seed)

Mâche (corn salad-this is its perfect season!)
Arugula (choose cold-hardy varieties)
Spinach (slow germination but it'll work)
Claytonia (miner's lettuce-native and thrives in winter)

Legumes (direct seed)

Peas (snap and snow peas-they'll germinate slowly)

Transplants (if you can find them)

Lettuce (from nursery starts)
Onions (from sets for spring harvest)

Bare-Root (this is prime time!)

Fruit trees (apples, pears, stone fruits, figs, citrus)
Berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries)
Grapes
Roses
Artichokes (from crowns)
Rhubarb
Asparagus

What to Harvest in December

The winter harvest:

Greens (lettuce, arugula, spinach, chard, kale)
Brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
Carrots
Beets
Leeks
Radishes
Citrus (peak season for lemons, oranges, mandarins)
Herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley)

December Garden Tasks

Plant bare-root trees, berries, and perennials (best month!)
Mulch beds to protect from winter rains and add organic matter
Prune fruit trees and berries (dormant season)
Clean and organize tools and garden shed
Plan next year's garden on paper
Order seeds for spring planting (get heirloom tomatoes before they sell out!)
Build or repair raised beds, trellises, and infrastructure
Add compost to beds for spring planting
Harvest abundantly from fall plantings
Start a garden journal for next year

The Bare-Root Advantage

If there's one thing you should do in December, it's plant bare-root perennials. This is the BEST month for it.

Why December is ideal:

Plants are fully dormant (less transplant shock)
Cool, wet weather helps roots establish
You're planting for years of harvests
Selection is best early in bare-root season

What to prioritize:

Fruit trees suited to our climate (low-chill varieties)
Berries (blueberries need acidic soil, which we have!)
Artichokes (perfect for Santa Cruz County)
Strawberries (plant now, harvest heavily next spring)

Where to shop:

Local nurseries (Sierra Azul, San Lorenzo Garden Center)
Online suppliers (mail-order bare-root ships in December-January)
UCSC Farm & Garden sales
Love Apple Farms (for specialty fruit trees)

Microclimate Adjustments

Coastal (Aptos, Capitola, Santa Cruz beaches, Live Oak): Your mild temps (50s-60s, rarely below 45°F) mean December planting is more feasible here than anywhere else in the county. Direct seeding will be slow, but it works. Very rare frost. Most stable winter temperatures in the county.

San Lorenzo Valley & Scotts Valley - Sunny Ridges/Chaparral (Boulder Creek mountains, Ben Lomond sunny exposures, Scotts Valley hills): Watch for frost in low spots, but ridges often stay warmer (40s-50s days, 30s-40s nights). Skip direct seeding of greens unless you have a protected area. Focus on bare-root planting, which is excellent now. Your sunny microclimate advantage is less pronounced in December due to shorter days, but you still get good sun exposure.

San Lorenzo Valley & Scotts Valley - Under the Redwoods (Felton canyons, Ben Lomond shaded areas): Soil may be too wet and cold (40s-50s) for direct seeding. Focus on planning and bare-root planting. Your shade means even less light in December's short days. Good time to plan, not plant annuals.

Inland Valleys (Scotts Valley, Soquel): Similar to sunny mountain areas - focus on bare-root planting and planning rather than direct seeding annuals. Temperatures vary by sun exposure.

Watsonville/Pajaro Valley: You're the warmest area (50s-60s), so December planting is most successful here. Try direct seeding cold-hardy greens. Bare-root planting is excellent.

Common December Questions

Can I still plant lettuce? From seed? It'll be very slow and may not germinate well. From nursery starts? Yes, especially in coastal areas.

Should I plant garlic now if I forgot in October? No. It's too late. Garlic needs to vernalize (experience cold) to form cloves, but it also needs time to establish roots before deep winter. Wait until next October.

Is it too late for bare-root trees? Not at all! December through February is bare-root season. This is the PERFECT time.

Can I start seeds indoors for spring? Not yet. It's too early. Wait until late January or February to start warm-season seeds indoors.

The December Planning Session

Since planting is mostly on pause, December is the best month to plan:

What to plan:

Map next year's garden beds on graph paper
Decide what to grow and where
Research varieties suited to your microclimate
Order seeds (heirloom tomatoes sell out!)
Plan crop rotations
Sketch out irrigation improvements
List garden projects for the new year

Resources for planning:

[Free Santa Cruz Planting Calendar]
Seed catalogs (Renee's Garden, Kitazawa, Botanical Interests)
Last year's garden notes (if you kept them)
Local nursery websites for variety ideas

The December Garden Journal

Start a garden journal this month. It's the best tool for improving your garden year after year.

What to track:

What you planted and when
What thrived and what struggled
Harvest dates and quantities
Pest and disease problems
Microclimate observations (frost dates, fog patterns)
Notes for next year

Even basic notes like "planted 'Early Girl' tomatoes on 5/1, first harvest 7/10" are incredibly valuable next year.

Embrace the Slowdown

December is the garden's rest month. Not dormant (we don't do dormant in Santa Cruz County), but resting.

This is a month to:

Appreciate what's still growing
Plan for next year
Invest in perennials
Organize and prepare
Enjoy the slower pace

The frenzy of summer planting is months away. December is quiet, and that's its gift.

Make December Count

Even though December isn't a major planting month, it's an important garden month:

Plant: Bare-root trees, berries, and perennials Plan: Next year's garden layout and seed orders Prepare: Build beds, repair tools, organize Harvest: Winter greens and citrus Rest: Enjoy the slower rhythm

Next month, January, planting season ramps back up. For now, enjoy December's gentle pace.

What to Plant in Santa Cruz & the Bay Area in December