What to Plant in December (Weatherford, TX area)

Last and first frost dates are 30% probability. Calculated using 1991-2020 Climate Normals from NOAA.

What are 2023 Frost Dates?
A frost date is the average date of the last light freeze in spring or the first light freeze in fall.
The classification of freeze temperatures is based on their effect on plants:

• Light freeze: 29° to 32°F (-1.7° to 0°C) - tender plants are killed.
• Moderate freeze: 25° to 28°F (-3.9° to -2.2°C) - widely destructive to most vegetation.
• Severe freeze: 24°F (-4.4°C) and colder - heavy damage to most garden plants.

Note that frost dates are only an estimate based on historical climate data and are not set in stone. The probability of a frost occurring after the spring frost date or before the fall frost date is 30%, which means that there is still a chance of frost occurring before or after the given dates!

Frost is predicted when air temperatures reach 32°F (0°C), but also a frost may occur even when air temperatures are just above freezing due to open exposure to the clear night sky, which exposes surfaces to radiative cooling. Always keep an eye on your local weather forecast and plan to protect tender plants accordingly. Weather, topography, and microclimates may also cause considerable variations in the occurrence of frost in your garden. Learn how to protect plants from frost.

Frost dates are calculated based on data from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

What to plant in December
Last Frost Date in April
Without frost protection, your gardening season is over. Try to get as much clean-up and prep work for the spring done now because you never know if a soggy spring will set you back next year.

This is a great time to take a soil sample and submit it for testing. That way you can be sure to have all of your amendments purchased and ready to spread in the spring before planting. Amending your soil ensures that your plants have all the nutrients they need to grow and produce well. And well-nourished plants mean nutrient dense produce for your family’s table. Grow Abundant is an excellent resource & tool to help you learn how to replenish your soils depleted nutrients.

If you didn’t sow cover crops in your garden you can still protect the soil from runoff (while suppressing weeds) with a mulch of leaves, grass clippings, organic straw or weed-free hay.

If your ground is still workable, you can get garlic seed in the ground. Be sure to cover it with a nice bed of mulch to protect it over the winter.

Now is a great time to learn how to grow windowsill microgreens. It’s quite simple! They grow quickly and in a few short weeks you’ll once again be munching on fresh, crispy, homegrown greens. Try pea shoots, sunflower sprouts, and radishes to start. You can also grow broccoli, kale, beets, and more!

1. Direct Seed
2. Garlic
3. Cover Crops (winter rye may overwinter; radishes & turnips are good for breaking soil compaction)