If you live in the cold frost-prone zones of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7a, these seeds are for you! While December is typically filled with freezing temperatures and the occasional blanket of snow, you can still plant these recommended seeds indoors for both quick harvesting and a head start on the approaching garden season.

Outdoors: too cold for tender annual veg/flowers. If the soil is workable with a season-extending cover, plant garlic and shallots; otherwise, mulch beds for spring.

Dormant Sowing: This is the technique of broadcasting when the soil is cold below 50F, but not frozen. Gently press the seeds into the soil for good contact. Then water. The seed overwinters and sprouts naturally in the spring. We recommend dormant sowing wildflower mixes, poppies, larkspur, bachelor's buttons, calendula, rudbeckia, and columbine.

Indoors (For fresh harvesting)

Microgreens: sunflower, pea, radish, spicy brassica blends—cut in 7–14 days.

Sprouts: alfalfa, mung, clover, broccoli—ready in 3–7 days.

Herbs & greens under lights: cut-and-come-again lettuce, baby kale, arugula, basil (warm room).

Houseplants from seed (fun winter projects): coleus, polka dot plant - if you are feeling courageous, consider begonias or impatiens.

Starts to plant soon: perennial herbs; plan seed-starting calendars for onions (January), early brassicas (late winter), and warm crops (early spring).

Tip: Prioritize sanitation, airflow, and fresh seed-starting mix for indoor setups; run lights 14–16 hours/day for compact growth.