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 Pineapple Tomato is a large, rich yellow-gold beefsteak variety that has a wonderfu very sweet, almost fruity, flavor. This tomato variety contains very few seeds and more solids, giving you more for your money. The Pineapple tomato is a high yielding tomato plant. The Pineapple gets its name for have a flavor that is sweet and fruity with a tangy, meaty after-bite.

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.

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.

Alaska pea seeds grow into one of the oldest and earliest-maturing pea varieties, first introduced in the late 1800s and valued for its ability to thrive in cool northern climates. This hardy shelling pea produces compact, vining plants that yield an abundance of small, smooth, bright green pods filled with sweet, tender peas in just about 55 days, making it a favorite for short-season gardeners. The plants are relatively easy to grow, preferring well-drained soil and cool weather, and they often set pods before summer heat diminishes yields. With a mild, slightly starchy sweetness, Alaska peas are excellent for fresh eating, freezing, or canning, and have long been popular in soups and stews due to their ability to hold flavor and texture after cooking. Their dependable growth and versatile use have kept them a staple in gardens for well over a century.

The Graffiti cauliflower has a fun purple head with a great flavor! Graffiti produces a true deep purple head. This variety is a large cauliflower plant with dark green leaves and it produces best in the fall. It can also be planted in early spring. The Graffiti is very fun to watch grow and eat!

The Casper Pumpkin is a white skinned ornamental pumpkin with a thick orange flesh that is of excellent eating quality. This variety grows to be 9-12 inches in diameter and 10-16 pounds. Casper's handle is tan with a corky texture and its skin has less bluing than many other white varieties.

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!

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.

The Brilliant celeriac is a large round root related to celery! This celeriac plant produces a a large round root with dark green celery-like leaves and a white flesh. Brilliant is a great addition to any meal as it adds a great flavor!

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!

The Vintage Wine Tomato is a favorite tomato among gourmet gardeners! This is a wonderful tomato plant to add to your garden as it grows large tomatoes that can reach 1.5 lbs. This variety produces big pink colored tomatoes with golden stripes that have a great tender, sweet and mild flavor. The Vintage Wine plant has potato leave foliage.

The Green Sprouting Calabrese produces large dark green heads bursting with flavor. This broccoli with is a favorite, that now is available as organic seed! Good in short season areas with cool nights. It will produce many lateral or side shoots over a long season. It is slow bolting with a flavor that can't be beat.

The fine smooth texture of the Nantes carrot makes it perfect for fresh eating, freezing or juicing! This bright orange carrot is a garden favorite. Nantes has an excellent sweet flavor as an early baby carrot. It can be over-wintered or grown in high tunnels for a spring harvest. Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.

The Fancy Nantes carrot gets its name for its very smooth skin and fancy cylindrical shape. These carrots can grow up to 8" long with a very sweet and crisp flesh. For smaller, "fancier" look and great flavor try harvesting at 45-50 days when 4" long! They can store for months and also do great being left in the ground over winter.

Bull's Blood beet, scientifically known as Beta vulgaris, is a striking and versatile variety of beetroot that has gained popularity for its unique characteristics. This heirloom variety has a fascinating history, dating back centuries to Europe, where it was initially cultivated for its edible leaves rather than the root. Its name, "Bull's Blood," is derived from the deep burgundy-red color of its leaves, which resemble the color of ox blood. Over time, its sweet and earthy flavor profile has made it a favorite among chefs and home gardeners alike. In terms of appearance, Bull's Blood beets typically grow to a medium size, roughly 2-3 inches in diameter, and have a round to slightly flattened shape. The seeds of this variety are easy to come by and can be sown directly in the garden or started indoors. Bull's Blood beets are relatively quick to mature, taking about 50-60 days from seed to harvest. The leaves are a deep red, while the root itself is a dark purplish-red, making it visually appealing on the plate. Bull's Blood beets exhibit some resistance to common beet diseases like Cercospora leaf spot and Downy Mildew, although specific resistance levels may vary depending on growing conditions. When properly cared for, they can yield a plentiful harvest. To ensure optimal growth, it's recommended to space the beet plants about 2-4 inches apart in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Adequate moisture and consistent watering are essential for healthy growth. Whether you're looking to add a pop of color to your garden or enhance your culinary creations, Bull's Blood beets are a delightful choice with a rich history and vibrant character.

Green Magic is a great summer and fall broccoli that is consistent performer. This broccoli matures mid-early and has wide adaptability to gardening zones. It has a semi-domed, tight head with medium-small bead size and a good plant habit.

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!

A classic disease resistant tomato! The Celebrity tomato plant is as close to perfect as you can get! This plant produces perfectly shaped 8 ounce fruits with excellent flavor. Chosen as the AAS winner this tomato is easy to grow and very disease resistant. No cracking and fruits keep coming over a long garden season. The Celebrity is a proven home tomato garden favorite.