Zone 10 - What to Plant in December

Zone 10 - What to Plant in December

Zone 10 gardeners should be planting their gardens in December. With no risk of frost but the dog days of summer behind us, this is the perfect time to plant. See the vegetables below that are perfect for planting now.

The Merlot Pepper produces huge yields of big peppers on tall healthy plants! This hybrid pepper is a tall plant that is highly resistant to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and bacterial leaf spot (BST). This variety produces huge pepper yields on lush foliage that offers good protection for the newly formed bells. The Merlot begins off green, turns white, and finally begins to turn merlot purple when mature.

The White Sweet Spanish Onion is a long-day, standard large sweet onion! This variety is a variation of the Yellow Sweet Spanish, but has a sweet flavor and very little of the sharpness that some other onions have. The White Sweet Spanish is great for soups and salads that require a slight onion flavor. This onion has short storage.

Ruby onions are a vibrant variety of red onions known for their striking color and sweet, mild flavor. Characterized by their deep purple skin and crisp white flesh tinged with red, Ruby onions add a pop of color to salads, salsas, and various dishes. They are typically medium to large in size, making them versatile for both raw and cooked applications. Originating from traditional onion cultivation, Ruby onions are prized for their ability to balance sweetness with a subtle bite, enhancing the taste of many recipes. They are often used in fresh preparations like salads and sandwiches, but they also caramelize beautifully when cooked, bringing out their natural sugars. Harvesting typically occurs in late summer to early fall, about 90-100 days after planting, when the tops begin to yellow and fall over. Ruby onions thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, making them a popular choice for home gardeners. Their attractive appearance and delicious flavor make Ruby onions a favorite in both home kitchens and commercial markets.

Sugar Ann is a 1984 All America Selections winner! This snap pea variety has an edible pod that offers earliness, productivity, and a compact growth habit. The crisp, sweet succulent 3 inch pods are ready to eat in just 10 to 14 days ahead of the original Sugar Snap, and remain in prime eating condition for days.

Dill's Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds are famous for producing the world’s largest pumpkins, a variety developed by Nova Scotia grower Howard Dill in the 1970s and later patented due to its remarkable size potential. Bred from a long line of giant pumpkins, this variety has set countless world records, with some specimens weighing well over a ton. The plants are vigorous and sprawling, requiring ample space, rich soil, and consistent watering to support the rapid growth of their enormous fruit. These pumpkins typically range from 200–400 pounds in a home garden, though competitive growers often push them far beyond that with careful cultivation and special techniques. While the flesh is edible and can be used in pies, soups, or livestock feed, Dill’s Atlantic Giant pumpkins are most often grown for show, competitions, and fall displays. Their massive size, combined with their bright orange color and smooth rind, makes them an impressive centerpiece for fairs, festivals, and giant pumpkin weigh-offs worldwide.

Park’s Whopper CR Improved tomato seeds produce a classic, time-tested hybrid that has been a staple in American gardens for decades. Introduced by Park Seed and bred for dependable performance, this indeterminate beefsteak-type tomato is known for its large, smooth, globe-shaped fruits that often reach 12-14 ounces or more. Plants are vigorous and productive, showing good resistance to common tomato diseases and adapting well to a range of growing conditions. Park’s Whopper typically reaches maturity in about 65 days from transplant, providing a steady midseason harvest. The bright red tomatoes have meaty flesh, few seeds, and a juicy texture, delivering a rich, old-fashioned tomato flavor with a satisfying balance of sweetness and acidity that makes it ideal for slicing and fresh eating. This Improved CR tomato has been the standard for taste, size and production for many years. This improved Parks Whopper offers an earlier (5 days) harvest and a more diseases resistant tomato.

The Rainbow Blend contains a kaleidoscope of orange, purple, red, white and multi-colored beet varieties that will make any dish pop! This colorful variety not only produces the brightest colored beets, but also the tastiest. This blend is a great addition to any garden, especially a container garden. Enjoy this beet blend in a salad, or roasted for a mouthwatering colorful plate.

Big Max pumpkin seeds are celebrated for producing some of the largest pumpkins available, making them a favorite among growers aiming for impressive, eye-catching results. These seeds produce pumpkins that can reach weights of 50 to 100 pounds or more, with their vibrant orange skin and smooth, rounded shape. The Big Max variety is known for its robust, sturdy vines that support the hefty fruit, and it generally requires a long growing season to achieve its full potential. Ideal for autumn decorations, Halloween displays, and giant pumpkin contests, Big Max pumpkins offer a dramatic presence with their substantial size and striking color. The seeds are relatively easy to cultivate, making them accessible to both seasoned gardeners and enthusiastic novices eager to grow a standout pumpkin.

Texas Early Grano onion is a renowned heirloom variety with a rich history and impressive growing characteristics. Originating from the fertile soils of Texas, this onion has been cultivated since the early 20th century and is celebrated for its adaptability and early harvest. The Texas Early Grano onion is characterized by its round, yellow bulbs with a smooth, thin skin and crisp, white flesh. Known for its mild, sweet flavor, it is particularly favored for fresh use in salads, salsas, and cooking. The onions generally reach maturity in about 100 to 110 days, and the plants exhibit a robust, upright growth habit, growing to heights of 12 to 18 inches with a spread of about 6 to 8 inches. They thrive in well-drained, fertile soil and prefer full sun exposure. Texas Early Grano onions are notable for their early harvest, which allows gardeners to enjoy fresh onions earlier in the season compared to other varieties. Their reliable growth, mild flavor, and adaptability make them a popular choice for both home gardeners and commercial growers.

The Golden Detroit is the ultimate savory golden beet with delicious greens! A colorful beet that won over gardeners with it's sweet but more mild flavor. Golden Detroit's vibrant orange-yellow color makes a wonderful addition to salads and meals. Cooked it turns buttercup yellow and melts in your mouth. Light green, with gold veined leaves also mix well into salads. One of the best tasting raw beets that is extremely healthy.

The Ugly Duckling is the "ugly" sister to our Cinderella pumpkin, but this variety produces multiple colors. This pumpkin is an antique French heirloom that, despite its name, is beautiful and great for ornamental purposes!

Little SnapPea Crunch is perfect for smaller gardens or container growing! These pea plants are compact yet very productive. Little SnapPea Crunch produces crunchy, sweet, juicy, edible pod peas in about 58-60 days. These peas do well as the weather warms and pea shoots, mature in 13 days and displays very short internodes. Leaves are great as a garnish or as a stand-alone salad green.

The Early Cascade Tomato is an early maturing bright red saladette type of tomato that has a wonderful fresh taste in salads! This very productive variety produces little 4 ounce vibrant tomatoes in clusters of 5-8 fruits.

The hardy American Flag leek is a good variety for both home and market growers. The attractive uniform leek has blue green leaves and white stalks. The American Flag variety has a very nice sweet flavor. This leek can be enjoyed during fall and winter. Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.

Crunchy Red produces large tops and very uniform dark red, round roots. This variety is very slow to develop pith. It performs well under cool conditions. It’s usually a few days earlier than standard varieties. Crunchy Red is desirable where larger roots are required.

The Abe Lincoln Tomato is a popular heirloom variety with very good disease resistance that has been a farm favorite since the 1920's! This tomato variety produces bright red, perfectly round and medium-sized 12 oz. tomatoes in clusters up to 9. This tomato is very delicious and rich with slightly acidic tomato flavors. The Abe Lincoln will be in your garden for years!

The Red Pear Tomato is an old time favorite heirloom that always pleases everybody! This variety is a bright red, pear-shaped tomato with a history dating back to Colonial times. The Red Pear's plants are very prolific and are producers of 1-2" long tomatoes that are great on salads, sauces or roasted in the oven.

The Oxheart Carrot is a small variety weighing just only 1 pound and is named for its unique short shape resembling a heart. This carrot might be tiny, but its crisp, sweet flavor is mighty making it the perfect juicing carrot! This variety is very adaptable and thrives in either heavy or shallow soils. Oxheart will store very well and can be frozen to add to soups and strews!