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.

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.

Cherokee Purple tomatoes are a revered heirloom variety with a rich history and exceptional flavor. Originating from the Cherokee Nation in the southeastern United States, this variety has been passed down through generations for its unique attributes. Cherokee Purple tomatoes are known for their dark, dusky purple-brown skin and deep, red interior, which provides a striking contrast and a visually appealing fruit. They are medium to large in size and have a complex, rich flavor with sweet and slightly smoky notes, making them ideal for fresh salads, sandwiches, and gourmet dishes. Typically, these tomatoes reach maturity in about 75 to 80 days and feature an indeterminate growth habit, meaning they continue to produce fruit throughout the growing season. The plants are vigorous and require staking or caging to support their sprawling vines and the weight of the heavy fruit. With their historical significance, unique color, and robust flavor, Cherokee Purple tomatoes are a cherished choice for gardeners and culinary enthusiasts alike. This plant produces large vines with large beefsteak fruits that average 8-20 ounces.

The Indigo Sun is a F1 Hybrid bright yellow cherry tomato with an indigo anthocyanin pigmentation splashed around the crown. This pretty tomato has a sugar sweet flavor that is a nice balance between sugars and acids. This variety produces about eight tomatoes per cluster with each little cherry tomato weighing 1 ounce. The Indigo Sun is perfect as a snack or can be used to brighten up any salad or pasta dish!

The Fiesta Blend is a five color radish blend of red, pink, yellow, white and purple! This colorful blend will be sure to a pop of fun color to any garden. Serving up the Fiesta Blend in salads or dishes is a great addition to any party or gathering!

The Blondkopfchen, aka Little Blonde Girl, is a delicious heirloom cherry tomato that comes from East Germany and has a delicious sugary flavor. This high yielding variety produces an abundance of small golden yellow 1" fruits that grow in giant clusters. The Blondkopfchen is one of the best tasting cherry tomatoes as it has a high sugar content, is crack resistant and produces well until the first frost.

Katarina cabbage has a perfect smaller head size (4”) and shape to be grown successfully in containers on patios, decks or in-ground beds, possibly as an ornamental/edible border.

The Italian Heirloom Tomato is an old heirloom that is one of our most tasty tomatoes we offer, as it is just bursting with flavor! These bright red tomatoes can grow to over 1 pound per fruit! This productive variety will give you a continual harvest of these delicious fruits into fall. The Italian Heirloom is an excellent variety for cooking, eating fresh or canning.

The Red Pear Tomato is an old time favorite heirloom that always pleases everybody! This variety is a bright red, pear-shaped tomato with a history dating back to Colonial times. The Red Pear's plants are very prolific and are producers of 1-2" long tomatoes that are great on salads, sauces or roasted in the oven.

'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 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!

The Rio Grande Tomato produces a huge harvest of popular pear shaped, paste type of tomatoes that will thrive in hot climates! This tomato variety produces large, deep red 4 inch long blocky tomatoes that are favored for its versatility. The Rio Grande is a great tomato for sauce or juice.

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 Spanish Round Radish is a unique black old heirloom that has a nutty and slightly spicy flavor! This black beauty radish is making a comeback! Its firm flesh holds up well in meals. The Black Spanish Round is best grown from late winter to early spring and is a healthy spring vegetable.

The Spring Pea is the sweetest pea pod you can grow in the garden! This variety is a very early maturing medium sized pea plant that produces super sweet peas. Spring bears large crops of pods that hold 6 to 7 plump peas that are delicious in soups and stews.

The Wisconsin Lakes Pepper is a beautiful heirloom bell pepper with a bright red flesh. This pepper variety is an early maturing bell pepper that turns from green to red. This pepper is a great choice for Northern gardeners. Wisconsin Lakes was bred by Wisconsin University in the1960s and it produce a good reliable harvest of early bell peppers.

The Ghost Mix is a blend of some of the world's hottest peppers! Use with caution! This mix is a wonderful blend of red, yellow, purple, white and chocolate Bhut Jolokia (Ghost) pepper seeds that can reach over 1,000,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).

Jack O'Lantern pumpkin seeds are specifically bred for growing pumpkins that are perfect for carving and decorating during the Halloween season. These seeds produce medium to large pumpkins, typically ranging from 8 to 18 pounds, with a classic round shape and bright orange skin. The flesh is thick and sturdy, making it ideal for carving intricate designs while maintaining structural integrity. Originating from traditional pumpkin varieties, Jack O'Lantern pumpkins are known for their vibrant color and relatively smooth surface, which allows for easy carving. The seeds usually germinate quickly and produce vigorous vines that can spread widely, requiring ample space in the garden. These pumpkins typically mature in about 90 to 100 days, thriving in warm, sunny conditions and well-drained soil. While primarily cultivated for Halloween decorations, the flesh is also edible and can be used in pies, soups, and other dishes, though it is not as sweet as some culinary varieties. Jack O'Lantern pumpkin seeds are a favorite among home gardeners, offering a fun and festive way to celebrate the fall season.

The Corno Di Toro Rossa Pepper is an old-time Italian sweet frying pepper! Corno Di Torro Rosso is nicknamed the "bull's horn" for its distinctive horn shape. This plant bears 8" fruits that matures to a bright red. The Corno Di Toro Rosso is a great cooking pepper variety.