Yes, You Can Plant in December (and Here’s Why You Should)

Robin, one of our clients, recently called worried about the timing of his December planting. “Isn’t it too cold to plant? Should we just wait until spring?” We get that question a lot, and it makes sense. The air is chilly, the days are shorter, and our instincts tell us to hunker down and wait. But in our Pacific Northwest climate, fall and even winter can actually be the best time to plant. Here’s why.

Even as the air cools, the soil usually stays relatively warm longer than you might think and rarely freezes — and that makes a huge difference. When you plant in fall or early winter, roots have a chance to quietly establish in winter/early spring before plants shift their focus to foliar growth. By the time the soil warms again, your plants are ready to take off, bloom, and thrive, usually with less stress than a spring planting. Plus, strong root systems mean less watering stress when summer heat rolls around.

Of course, not every plant loves cold weather—but with a little strategy, winter planting can go beautifully. Native plants tend to do especially well with winter planting as long as drainage requirements are adhered to. For ornamental plants choose winter-hardy varieties suited to your region and growing zone to help guide your success.

In our 11 years of planting through all kinds of weather, we’ve learned that cold itself is rarely the problem—wet soil is. When roots sit in soggy conditions for too long, rot can sneak in. That’s why good drainage and timing matter. And if a hard freeze is in the forecast, it’s always wise to wait for a mild stretch before planting.

The real secret?

It’s not the month that matters—it’s the weather. Avoid planting during heavy rain and wait for a dry window so the soil is crumbly, not muddy. If the soil sticks to your shovel like clay, it’s too wet. You want soil that feels loose and workable—so roots can settle in and find their footing.

Once your plants are tucked into the ground, a little winter care goes a long way. Mulch well or cover with a layer of leaves to keep soil temperatures steady, protect roots, and conserve moisture. That organic blanket does double duty: it insulates and feeds soil life, giving your plants a thriving underground network of worms, microbes, and fungi come spring.

We’ve seen a few repeat issues over the years, so here are our quick reminders: 

- don’t plant in soggy soil, don’t skip the mulch, and don’t wait for a perfect sunny week. Winter plants don’t need bright sun to start rooting, just good drainage and a workable soil window.

Early this year, at one of our open gardens, our client Josh stopped by to grab a few plants and show us a photo of his garden. “I’ve gotta admit,” he said, “I was a little worried about planting in the winter. But I couldn’t believe how much the garden exploded in the spring!” Stories like this are common, plants tucked in during the cooler months often wake up stronger than expected.

So yes in Western Oregon, December (and even January) planting is absolutely a thing. In fact, it’s often better than waiting until spring. With the right plants, a dry window, and a good layer of mulch, you can set your garden up for success without the stress.

Don't think of winter as a pause button, but as a head start. Your spring garden will thank you, and so will your future self.