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.

2005 American Selection Tomato! Juicy half ounce fruits, pointed oval shape, reddish pink, very sweet. Ultra high sugar content (9.5 BRIX) make 1/2 ounce fruits irresistible. Very productive vines keep setting huge clusters of fruits all season long. Terrific curb appeal.

Snowball Y Improved cauliflower is a popular open pollinated variety! This cauliflower is known for its vigorous, rapid growth and long harvest. Its head is snow-white and measures 7-8" inches across. Give this cauliflower fertile soil, full sun and steady moisture and you'll be rewarded with large, delicious heads that are high in vitamin C.

Beefmaster F1 tomato plants are renowned for producing some of the largest and most flavorful tomatoes in home gardens. Known for their impressive size, these beefsteak-type tomatoes can weigh over a pound each, making them perfect for slicing and adding to sandwiches, salads, and burgers. The plants are robust and vigorous, often reaching heights of up to 6 feet, and require sturdy support to handle the weight of the fruit. With a rich, juicy flavor and a meaty texture, Beefmaster tomatoes are highly sought after by gardeners and chefs alike, providing an abundant harvest throughout the growing season. In addition to their exceptional fruit, Beefmaster tomato plants are relatively easy to grow, thriving in warm climates with full sun and well-drained soil. They are typically resistant to common tomato diseases, which makes them a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners. Regular watering and proper fertilization help ensure optimal growth and fruit development. With their high yield and impressive size, Beefmaster tomatoes can significantly enhance the home garden, offering not just fresh produce for the table but also a rewarding gardening experience. Whether enjoyed fresh, cooked, or preserved, these tomatoes are sure to delight anyone who tastes them.

Scarlet kale seeds are a vibrant and intriguing choice for any garden enthusiast looking to add a splash of color and a touch of nutrition to their harvest. These seeds produce kale with striking red and purple leaves that not only brighten up your garden but also provide a visually stunning addition to your plate. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, scarlet kale is as beneficial as it is beautiful. Its bold flavor, with a slightly peppery bite, can elevate a variety of dishes from salads to soups. Easy to grow, these seeds thrive in cooler weather and are resilient to frost, making them a versatile option for extending the growing season. With scarlet kale, you're not just cultivating a nutritious vegetable; you're enhancing your garden's aesthetic appeal with a vibrant, healthful crop.

The Snow Crown cauliflower is a delicious, mild and sweet hybrid. This cauliflower's head will get to 7-8 inches across and 1-2 pounds. The Snow Crown is extra early and adaptable and can be harvested in summer or fall. Be careful not to under-fertilize or water, stress can cause a purplish discoloration on the undersides of the head.

Little Finger carrot seeds grow into a petite, gourmet variety that originated in France and has been cherished since the mid-20th century for its tender, sweet flavor and snackable size. This Nantes-type carrot matures quickly in just 55–65 days, producing smooth, cylindrical roots about 3–4 inches long, making it perfect for small gardens and container growing. Its bright orange flesh is crisp, juicy, and sugary, often eaten fresh right from the garden, but also excellent for steaming, roasting, or pickling. Known as a child-friendly carrot because of its size and sweetness, Little Finger is ideal for fresh snacking, lunchboxes, and gourmet dishes, while also storing well for extended use.

The Orange Habanero Pepper is among the hottest peppers available! This Habanero variety speaks for itself as it is one of the most well known peppers for its hotness. The Orange Habanera will mature from a silvery green to a bright orange color.

Scout is an early to main season intermediate variety and can make a good transition from intermediate to long days. It is a consistent yielder and a uniform producer of jumbo and colossal bulbs and holds up well to mechanical harvest.

The Italian Ice is a small white to cream-yellow tomato variety with a sugary sweet flavor that is bursting with flavor! This variety produces high yields of up to 1" sized fruits that ripen from green to white to cream-yellow color. The tomatoes are edible once they turn their famous yellow white. The ripened tomatoes are incredibly sweet, which makes this variety a double threat! This tomato plant is a heavy producer that will grow and produce tomatoes up until the first frost. This variety should be staked well as it will grow large and vine off! The Italian Ice will be one of the first tomato varieties to ripen in the garden.

Federle tomatoes, also known as Federle's Italian Paste, are a unique and heirloom variety of tomato renowned for their distinctive characteristics and rich history. These tomatoes typically exhibit a medium-sized, elongated shape, resembling a classic Roma tomato. Their size can range from 3 to 5 inches in length, making them ideal for canning, sauces, and paste production. Federle tomatoes thrive in specific growing conditions. They require full sun exposure and well-drained, fertile soil to flourish. These tomatoes are known for their resilience and adaptability, making them suitable for various climates and regions. They are often treasured by gardeners for their consistent performance and robust growth, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners and small-scale farmers. The history of Federle tomatoes dates back to Italy, where they have been cultivated for generations. These tomatoes were brought to the United States by Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since then, they have become a cherished heirloom variety, cherished for their exceptional flavor and versatility in the kitchen. Federle tomatoes are a testament to the enduring legacy of traditional tomato cultivation and continue to be a favorite among those who appreciate the rich heritage and exceptional taste of heirloom vegetables.

The Jet Star Tomato is a long time favorite and industry standard hybrid tomato with a high sugar content that masks acidity. These meaty, globe-shaped tomatoes can grow to be about 6 to 8 ounces and produces in abundance in mid-to-late summer.

The Pepitas F1 Pumpkin is a very delicious and nutritious improved variety that is named for its hullness, or naked seeds. This pumpkin is amazing eaten fresh in salads or roasted. This variety is not just delicious, but it also makes for a beautiful decoration during the fall season. Each plant produces a high yield of medium-sized, orange fruits with attractive green stripes.

c It also has the Celebrate plant structure to give it an extra boost against stress and make it grower friendly. These qualities help to make it a good fit for a short day program. Disease Ratings: High Tolerance to Pink Root, Fusarium, and Bolting.

The Carbon Tomato won the “Best Tasting Tomato Award” at the Heirloom Garden Show in 2005 and continues to rate very high in many taste tests! This tomato is one of the darkest of the “black tomato” varieties, and 10-12 oz. in size with a flattened round shape. This purplish-brown, "black" colored tomato has a deep brick red flesh and has a deliciously rich, sweet flavor. The fruit is medium to large, with a slightly flattened shape and a smooth, glossy skin. Carbon tomatoes are celebrated for their robust flavor profile, which blends sweet, tangy, and smoky notes, making them a versatile choice for fresh salads, sauces, and salsas. The plants are indeterminate, meaning they continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season, typically reaching heights of 5 to 7 feet. They exhibit a vigorous growth habit and produce a steady yield of tomatoes from mid-summer to fall. Harvesting is usually done when the tomatoes have fully ripened and developed their deep color. With their rich flavor, striking color, and reliable productivity, Carbon tomatoes are a favorite among gardeners and culinary aficionados alike. 

The Blue Curled Scotch Kale can be used as a garnish and or in hearty winter dishes. This kale variety is a compact plant with very tender, blue-green, crinkled leaves that are quite delicious, very cold hardy, and rich in vitamin A.

Caliber is a late-season yellow long day for the western United States known for vigor, disease resistance, yield, and storage capabilities. Caliber is a Celebrate hybrid with a healthy plant with solid roots and strong and erect tops that assist in providing thrips tolerance and make applications easier. Caliber has a consistent rich bronze scale in super colossal bulbs with single centers that do very well with a mechanical harvest. Caliber has a reputation for storing very well long term. Disease Ratings: HT to Pink Root and Fusarium, T to Bolting and HT for Thrips

Wando pea seeds are a popular heirloom variety known for their cold tolerance and early harvest. They produce vibrant green, sweet-tasting peas that are perfect for fresh eating, freezing, or cooking. The seeds grow into plants that are typically 18-24 inches tall, making them ideal for small gardens or containers. Wando peas are well-suited for cooler climates, as they can withstand light frosts and thrive in temperatures between 55°F and 75°F. With a quick maturation time of about 60-70 days, they are a great choice for gardeners looking to enjoy peas early in the growing season. Their resilience and ease of growth make them a favorite among both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Sugar beets are the perfect natural choice to make sugar! You can boil the sugar beets in order to make a sugary syrup. These beets can grow up to 1 foot long and can weigh from 3-5 pounds. That means you need to thin them to make sure they have enough room to grow. Tops can grow 1-2' tall. Beet tops can be eaten, lightly grazed or fed to animals.