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.

A deep burgundy flesh with rich flavor! Black Truffel is rich in both sugars and acid, which helps create a sweet, strong, complex flavor that is hard to beat. The 6-8 oz. pear-shaped fruits are just large enough for slicing into salads. Once you try the Black Truffel you will grow it for years in your garden!

The Ruby Queen is an excellent canning and fresh eating beet! A perfectly round beet that has a smooth buttery texture that is more tender than any other beet. An early maturing beet, 52 days, that grows well in any soil type throughout the country. Ruby Queen can be grown close because they hold their shape well. They can also be grown larger than most beets and still hold good flavor making it a great market beet. An All American Selection winner!

The Sweet Banana is a delightfully tangy and colorful sweet pepper. This elongated, thick-walled pepper turns scarlet when fully ripe, but will stay sweet and mild. This pepper variety is a longtime favorite for its sweet flavor that is exquisitely pungent when pickled. Sweet Banana's prolific plant produces high yields.

Blue Vantage produces dense and large heads with short cores. A mid-season maturity that is ideal for fresh eating or coleslaw. Great resistance to Fusarium yellows race 1 resistant and tipburn tolerant.

The Early Frosty Pea is an old heirloom that, just like its name suggests, thrives in the colder climates. This variety does great in early spring or short season plantings. The vines are cold hardy and can grow to 30." This pea plant yields 3 1/2” pods filled with 6-7 delicious medium sized peas that are excellent for fresh eating or freezing for later use.

Chile de Arbol peppers are a distinctive variety renowned for their fiery heat and striking appearance. These small, slender peppers typically mature to a vibrant red color, although they can also be harvested green. Known for their sharp, intense heat with a slightly smoky undertone, Chile de Arbol peppers are a popular choice for adding a bold kick to sauces, salsas, and dishes. They generally take about 80 to 90 days to reach full maturity, and the plants are characterized by their upright growth habit, producing an abundance of peppers on relatively compact bushes. The plants are quite resilient, thriving in warm, sunny conditions and well-drained soil. Their vibrant color and potent flavor make them a standout addition to any garden or culinary repertoire, providing both visual appeal and a significant heat boost.

The SunSugar Tomato is an early maturing cherry tomato with a high sugar content that is a customer favorite for a reason! These beautiful cherry sized orange tomatoes will be the first tomato to harvest in early summer. Every 1/2 oz. fruit has 3 times more vitamin A found in most other red tomatoes. Not only does this variety contain more nutrients but it is sweeter than candy and impossible to eat just one! SunSugar is crack resistant with very vigorous, heavy yields and no need for staking!

The Mushroom Red Pepper gets its name as it is a bell-shaped hot pepper that will ripen from a lime green to a bright red. This variety is great for pickling or drying and will add a nice hot kick to any dish. This pepper is great for a small garden as it does well in containers. These productive little peppers thrive in tropical regions, but will grow just about anywhere.

The Whopper Pepper produces high yields of huge sweet bell peppers! This pepper plant produces huge yields of large 4" long by 4" wide bell peppers that will turn from green to red when ripe and ready to be picked. Whopper is one of the best bell peppers for home gardens and is excellent for salads, stuffing, sauteed, or fried. This tasty pepper also freezes well.

Black Cherry tomatoes are a sought-after heirloom variety known for their distinctive appearance and exceptional taste. Originating from a blend of traditional cherry tomato varieties, this cultivar has become popular for its rich, dark color and robust flavor. The tomatoes are small, typically about the size of a marble, with a deep, dusky purple to black hue that turns almost mahogany when fully ripe. Their flavor is renowned for its sweet, complex taste with subtle hints of smokiness, making them a delightful addition to salads, snacking, and gourmet dishes. Black Cherry tomatoes usually reach maturity in about 60 to 70 days, making them one of the quicker-maturing cherry varieties. The plants exhibit an indeterminate growth habit, producing fruit continuously throughout the growing season and requiring staking or caging to support their vigorous, sprawling vines. With their attractive color, rich flavor, and prolific yield, Black Cherry tomatoes are a favorite among gardeners and culinary enthusiasts seeking both beauty and taste.

The Young's Beauty Pumpkin is a very uniform New England Pie variety that is the perfect small pumpkin for Halloween carvings! At only 10-12 pounds, this jack-o-lantern sized pumpkin will look great in a family garden. This deep orange, slightly ribbed variety produces high yields.

The Detroit Dark Red is the standard all-purpose heirloom beet! This is by far the most popular beet for home gardens. Detroit Dark Red has blood red flesh that is very sweet and tasty. Beets are perfectly round with no rings or streaks. Has 13-16" greens that are wonderful mixed into salads. Very prolific and good keeper. This heirloom was first introduced in 1892 by Mr. Reeves of Ontario, Canada.

King Richard is a newer leek variety that grows well throughout the United States. This leek variety is a summer type, non-bulbing leek that grows to 12" in length. King Richard has green leaves with white inside. This leek is a very early maturer and is not sufficient for overwinter growing.

The All Seasons Cabbage is a very heat resistant cabbage that is resistant to yellowing and will offer a nice flavor in any dish. This cabbage produces fine heads that are about 10-11" across and average about 11-14 pounds.

The Mammoth Melting Pea is a snow pea that adds the perfect mouthwatering crunch to any salad! The 5-6 foot tall vines require trellising for support. This variety's large sweet pods thrive in the cooler weather. Add a fresh pop of bright green to any garden or dish with the Mammoth Melting! Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.

The Yellow Monster pepper is a striking heirloom variety with intriguing origins and notable characteristics. Developed in the United States, this pepper is prized for its large size and eye-catching appearance. As the name suggests, the Yellow Monster matures to a vibrant yellow, adding a bold splash of color to any garden or dish. The flavor profile is mild and sweet with a hint of fruitiness, making it a versatile choice for various culinary applications, from fresh salads to roasted dishes. The plant grows vigorously, reaching up to 3 feet in height, and is known for its high productivity. It typically produces large, thick-walled peppers that are ready for harvest in mid to late summer. With its impressive size, vivid color, and pleasant flavor, the Yellow Monster pepper is not only a visually appealing addition to gardens but also a flavorful ingredient that enhances a variety of recipes.

The Super Chili is an AAS Pepper Variety Winner! A real super chili pepper, bred for compact, 15" inch plants cover with fruits. These hot peppers can reach upwards of 37,500 Scovilles. Great for spicy cuisine like Thai or Asian dishes.

The Dragon carrot is a refined purple carrot that is perfect for home gardeners and market growers! The reddish purple color on the outside contrasts with the bright orange interior when peeled or sliced. The Dragon has a delicious sweet, slightly spicy, carrot flavor that is delicious roasted or in soups and stews.