Zone 9 - What to Plant in December

Zone 9 - What to Plant in December

Now is when the main planting is happening in zone 9. The hot and humid days of summer are behind us and we can start growing the garden. With a last frost date in early February you should start growing your tomatoes, peppers and other plants indoors so they are ready to transplant in February.

Atlantic Giant pumpkins are renowned for their impressive size and are considered one of the largest pumpkin varieties in the world. Developed specifically for growing colossal pumpkins, they can reach weights of over 1,000 pounds, with some exceptional specimens exceeding 2,000 pounds! Characterized by their thick, ribbed, orange skin, Atlantic Giants are not just visually striking but also have a relatively mild flavor, making them less ideal for cooking compared to smaller varieties. Originating from a selective breeding program in the 1970s, Atlantic Giant pumpkins have gained popularity in pumpkin-growing competitions and festivals. The plants require ample space and nutrient-rich soil, thriving in warm climates with plenty of sunlight and consistent watering. Harvesting typically occurs in late summer to early fall when the pumpkins have reached their desired size and the skin has hardened. Despite their massive size, they can be surprisingly delicate; care must be taken during handling to avoid bruising. Atlantic Giant pumpkins are not only a favorite for competitive growers but also serve as a fun and impressive display during autumn festivals, making them a staple of Halloween decor and seasonal celebrations.

The Early Purple Sprouting broccoli is an heirloom broccoli bred for overwintering! This variety produces lots of beautiful purple broccoli sprouts in the spring. The Early Purple Sprouting grows slowly through the winter; very frost hardy.

Hungarian Hot Wax peppers are a popular medium-heat chili variety known for their distinctive yellow color and elongated, tapering shape, typically growing about 6-8 inches long. As they mature, these peppers transition from a vibrant yellow to a bright red, adding a visual appeal to any dish. With a Scoville heat rating of 5,000 to 15,000, Hungarian Hot Wax peppers provide a nice kick without overwhelming heat, making them versatile for various culinary uses. Originating from Hungary, these peppers are often used in traditional dishes, pickled for a zesty snack, or incorporated into sauces and salsas. Their crisp texture and sweet, tangy flavor enhance both fresh and cooked preparations. Harvesting usually occurs when the peppers are bright yellow, around 70-80 days after planting, but they can also be left on the plant to ripen to red for a slightly sweeter taste. Hungarian Hot Wax peppers thrive in warm climates and well-drained soil, making them a favorite among home gardeners. Their unique flavor profile and moderate heat level make them a delightful addition to a wide range of dishes, from stir-fries to salads.

The Red Petite Bell Pepper is a red mini bell pepper that is bursting with flavor! This high yielding mini bell pepper is sweet and ripens to a rich red when mature. This pepper variety grows to 2-3 ounces, which is the perfect snack sized pepper. The Red Petite Bell is an excellent pepper for market selling or fresh eating!

The Ponderosa Pink Tomato is an extra large and tasty beefsteak with a bright pink hue that is perfect for fresh eating as well as cooked for sauces! This 16 ounce, beefsteak type is almost seedless with low acid.

Sugar Sprint Pea will sprint into the production of delicious peas! This fast maturing, heavy producing pea plant is one of the earliest maturing peas available. This pea variety produces 3" stringless snap peas over a long period. Sugar Sprint is heat tolerant and resistant to powdery mildew.

The Big Jim is the largest of all chile peppers! This hot-medium pepper can get up to 12 inches long and tastes amazing in many different types of cuisine. The Big Jim yields 24-30 peppers per plant. This organic pepper will turn from green to red once ready to be harvested. The Big Jim pepper plant flowers well, even when hot. Certified Organic Learn more about our organic seeds.

The Oregon Sugar Pod II Pea is a high yielding snow pea that has a high percentage of two pods per cluster! This variety grows to a height of 28" and bears 4 1/2" long pods that are disease resistant to pea virus, common wilt and powdery mildew. The Oregon Sugar Pod II produces delicious flat and tender pea pods that are superb for freezing!

The Black Sea Man Tomato is a fantastic tasting Russian heirloom that has a wonderful rich flavor when added to different dishes. This tomato variety is a small plant that produces good yields of medium-sized brownish-pink fruits that have a beautiful olive green shading. The Black Sea Man has a beautiful marbled flesh that gets even more attractive when blanched and peeled.

Waltham 29 produces incredibly high yields for broccoli! This variety is known for its good color, cold resistance, dwarf compact plant, and big side shoots. Main heads are 4-8" with steady side shoot production after main head is harvested.

'Yellow Wonder' is a very productive variety. It is a clumping type (few to no runners) that is day neutral which means that flowering is not dependent on day length. The fruit is a pale yellow at full ripe and soft. This variety is sweeter than the red alpine strawberry varieties. There is a strong wild aroma as well.

The French Breakfast Radish has a delicate flavor and is an excellent variety for home gardens. This radish variety is an attractive uniquely shaped radish with elongated roots and red tops with white tips. The French Breakfast has an excellent flavor and texture, that is perfect for dips or as a garnish.

The Delicious Tomato is a World Record giant, bright red beefsteak tomato that can grow to be at least one pound or more. This variety is not only large, but it is also fairly crack resistant. The Delicious tomato gets its name for being very delicious of course!

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.

Cylindra beets, also known as "Formanova" or "Butter Slicer," are a unique variety of beetroot known for their elongated, cylindrical shape. These beets have a fascinating history, originally hailing from Europe, particularly Denmark, where they were developed in the early 20th century. Their distinctive shape was cultivated to make them easier to slice and can, a practical innovation that has made them popular among home gardeners and commercial growers alike. In terms of taste, cylindra beets are mild and sweet, with a slightly earthy flavor. They are known for their tender, non-fibrous texture, making them excellent candidates for pickling, roasting, or slicing thinly for salads. Their deep red-purple skin contrasts beautifully with the vibrant, dark red flesh inside, adding an attractive element to culinary dishes. Cylindra beets typically grow to be 6-8 inches in length and 2 inches in diameter. They are ready for harvest in approximately 55-65 days from planting, making them a relatively quick-growing beet variety. They thrive in well-drained, loamy soil with full sun exposure. When it comes to disease resistance, cylindra beets tend to be more resistant to common beet diseases like leaf spot and powdery mildew than some other beet varieties. Proper spacing is crucial, with about 2-3 inches between each plant and rows spaced 12-18 inches apart. With the right care and growing conditions, cylindra beets can yield a bountiful crop of these delicious and uniquely-shaped vegetables, making them a favorite among gardeners and chefs.  

The Progress No. 9 Pea is a very prolific and early yielding shelling pea! This wrinkle-seeded pea is fast growing and produces plump dark green pods. Enjoy 7-9 delicious peas per pod that are perfect for soups or as a side dish. The Progress No. 9 holds well on the vine and is also disease resistant. Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.

The Lemon Drop is an excellent seasoning pepper from Peru with some heat! When mature it will ripen to be a bright yellow that occasionally turns a purple blush depending on maturity. The Lemon Drop's crisp and clean, uncomplicated flavor is hot with some citrus notes. Its Scovilles top out at 35,000 units.

Fragaria vesca var. vesca, aka Woodland Strawberry, has white flowers and small, very flavorful crimson berries. This everbearing alpine strawberry will produce fruit all summer long.