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.

The Jack Be Little is a small pumpkin that is popular in many floral arrangements! This new miniature pumpkin is ideal for small Jack'O Lanterns and other decorations. These easy to grow plants bear several small pumpkins per plant. The Jack Be Little pumpkins are edible, but are more highly valued for their decorative value and will last for months if properly cured!

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.

Red Express cabbage seeds produce a variety of cabbage known for its vibrant purple-red color and compact, round heads. This variety is prized for its early maturity, typically reaching harvestable size in about 60-70 days. The heads are tightly packed and dense, with crisp, tender leaves that offer a mild, sweet flavor, making it ideal for both fresh consumption in salads and slaws or for cooking. Red Express cabbage is also known for its resistance to common cabbage pests and diseases, making it a robust choice for home gardeners. Additionally, it provides a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants.

The Fiesta is a beautiful, heavy yielding broccoli . Uniform plants are medium height, giving rise to 5-7" blue-green heads. Heavy yields that are disease resistant, which is definitely a reason to celebrate!

The White Flat Boer Ford is a true white pumpkin that is perfect for autumn displays! This variety grows to be 3 to 5 inches high and spreads 8 to 12 inches wide. This flat pumpkin can weigh between 10 to 15 pounds! The White Flat Boer Ford has deep ribs that makes for an appealing autumn display, but it also has a delicious eating quality for its aromatic, succulent, and sugary flesh.

Black Brandywine tomatoes are a unique and highly regarded heirloom variety known for their exceptional flavor and distinctive characteristics. With a rich history dating back to the 19th century, these tomatoes have earned a special place in the hearts of gardeners and tomato enthusiasts alike. The story of Black Brandywine begins with the original Brandywine tomato, which was developed in the late 1800s in the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania. Over time, a natural mutation led to the development of the black variant, which retained the outstanding flavor of the original while introducing a striking, dark coloration. The fruit of the Black Brandywine tomato is large and typically reaches sizes of 8 to 16 ounces (227 to 454 grams) or even larger under optimal conditions. Its shape is somewhat irregular, often with a beefsteak-like appearance, characterized by deep ridges and an uneven, slightly flattened globe shape. The skin of Black Brandywine tomatoes is a dark purplish-black or maroon color, adding to their visual appeal. The plants of Black Brandywine tomatoes are indeterminate, which means they continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season. They can reach heights of 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2.1 meters) or more, so proper support is essential. These tomatoes thrive in warm and sunny climates, requiring full sun and well-drained soil. Adequate moisture and regular pruning are crucial to manage their vigorous growth and ensure good air circulation. Black Brandywine tomatoes are a favorite among gardeners who appreciate their rich, complex flavor, making them a must-grow variety for anyone looking to savor the taste of history in their garden.

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 White Russian Kale is a delicious dark green oak leaf cut kale with white stems that is amazing when cooked or eaten raw. This variety has a crisp sweet flavor that only intensifies when it is cooked. This popular kale is also disease resistant.

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 Pimento Pepper is a great snacking pepper that goes excellent with cheese, specifically Pimento cheese! The Pimento, aka Sheepnose, is a beautiful sweet pepper that ripens from green to red. This variety is a round, oblate, and gorgeously ribbed pepper. The Pimento is great for long time storage and has an excellent crispy flesh with a delicious zesty flavor. Originated in Ohio, the Pimento is a vigorous producer in northern climates.

The Ace 55 Tomato is a heart, beefy, thick walled tomato variety with low acid content. This tomato type has a bright red color and can grow to about 12 oz. in size. The Ace 55 grows somewhat large on its disease resistant indeterminate vines. This favored variety is great for the farmers market!

Large tomatoes the ripen extra early! Early Girl is a large, extra-early tomatoes grow on a true bush. The Early Girl fruits have great flavor, extra red fruits that ripen early in the season. Amazingly compact and self-supporting, yet productive.

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 Lutz Green Leaf White Stem Beet is an attractive deep red variety with white stalks that is absolutely delicious when steamed or roasted. This beet is known for having huge glossy, deep green tops that are perfect for salads! This beet is a "winterkeeper" beet that has a long standing storage capability. The Lutz Green Leaf White Stem has 6 inches in diameter roots.

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 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.

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.

Lacinato kale, also known as dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale, is a leafy green vegetable characterized by its long, dark green, crinkled leaves. The leaves have a distinctive bumpy texture and are often a deep, rich shade of green, sometimes with a bluish tint. They grow on tall, upright stalks and have a slightly sweeter and milder flavor compared to other kale varieties. This type of kale is prized for its versatility in the kitchen. It can be eaten raw in salads, blended into smoothies, sautéed, or added to soups and stews. Lacinato kale holds up well to cooking without losing its texture, making it a favorite for both chefs and home cooks alike. Nutritionally, it's packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium and iron, making it a powerhouse of health benefits. Its striking appearance and robust flavor make Lacinato kale a standout choice for any dish!