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 Azoychka Tomato is a highly productive Russian heirloom that produces good yields of smooth, sweet and citrusy tomatoes. This variety is an indeterminate, open-pollinated tomato plant that produces tomatoes that weigh 10-16 oz. each. The Azoychkas are slightly oblate with a yellow-orange flesh and a higher than normal acidic balance than most other yellow tomatoes, that gives off delicious flavors unlike any other yellow tomato. This tomato variety does well throughout the United States in both hot and cool locations.

Avalon is a very sturdy, yet flexible, late intermediate Spanish onion. This variety allows a smooth transition from intermediate to long day varieties. Growers enjoy the easy growth, the size potential, single centers, and the nice firm bulb that it produces. The grower also has the option of mechanical harvesting with Avalon.

The Moneymaker Tomato is a terrific, high yielding heirloom that produces delicious, bright red and smooth fruits that are perfect for fresh eating. This variety's vine can grow to 5-6' and produce very heavy yields of 4-6 ounce fruits. This tasty heirloom tomato does well in hot humid climates and greenhouse growing. The Moneymaker originates from England and produces vigorous vines that should be staked for best results.

The Mushroom Basket is a large, uniquely shaped tomato with a delicious juicy sweet flavor, originating from Russia. This plant produces enormous 8-16 ounce ruffled tomatoes that are colored bright pink. These plants are Indeterminate and do require a sturdy trellis. The Mushroom Basket tomatoes are the perfect tomatoes for slicing!

The Buena Mulata Pepper is beautiful ornamental hot pepper that ripens from a vivid violet to zesty orange, then to deep red! This old heirloom variety traces back to Horace Pippin, an African-American folk artist. When ripe, the pepper will get to around 6 inches in length and will have a heat level that is similar to a cayenne pepper. The Buena Mulata can be used fresh or dried to give any dish a slight kick!

The Blush Tomato is part of the beautiful and tasty Artisan tomato collection and has a sweet, fruity flavor that is great for fresh eating. The delicious bright yellow tomato produces red marbling stripes when mature. The attractive Blush mixes beautifully with the other Artisan tomatoes.

The Big Rainbow is one of the most beautiful tomatoes to watch grow to maturity. This tomato turns from green, to a yellow-centered, red-bottomed young fruit and then to a gold-and-red sunset color when mature. The Big Rainbow is a very beautiful and absolutely large tomato that has an over-the-top flavor that you just can't get enough of!

The Sudduth's Strain Brandywine Tomato is a pink Brandywine type with an excellent, rich and delightfully intense tomato flavor. This variety was obtained from Dorris Sudduth Hill whose family grew it for over 100 years. The large pink beefsteak tomatoes can grow to be about 2 pounds.

A standout yellow tomato with exceptional flavor and improved performance. This updated version of the classic Lemon Boy offers enhanced disease resistance along with a bright, sweet-tangy taste that outshines many traditional yellow varieties. The flattened, round beefsteak fruits average 7–8 ounces and are uniform in size and shape with smooth, mostly blemish-free skin and good firmness. Plants are high yielding and widely adaptable thanks to a strong disease-resistance package that helps keep vines healthy and fruit clean. Harvest at a bright lemon-yellow stage or allow fruits to deepen to a rich golden color with a slight blush at the blossom end for fuller sweetness. Pick slightly early if you prefer a sharper, more acidic bite. Indeterminate plants produce over a long season.

The Self Blanching cauliflower is known for its bright white curds with a delicious flavor! The Self Blanching cauliflower has self-wrapping leaves that help protect the white curds from sun, thus the name Self Blanching Cauliflower. Remember cauliflower likes cool weather plant seed early spring or fall for best crops.

The Hot and Happy Mix is a blend of hot pepper, all colors, shapes and heats. This mix of peppers are bold and adventurous! This assortment of hot peppers includes habaneros, jalapeños, chilies, poblanos, anchos and more! Hot and Happy Mix is perfect for any hot pepper lover!

Fragaria vesca, commonly known as Woodland Strawberries, are one of the oldest strawberry species cultivated and enjoyed in Europe, dating back to ancient Roman times. These petite berries are prized for their intensely sweet, aromatic flavor that far surpasses most modern commercial strawberries, with a soft texture and rich perfume-like scent. They are naturally small—often no larger than a fingernail—and grow on compact plants that produce delicate white flowers followed by bright red berries. Woodland strawberries thrive in forests, meadows, and shaded garden edges, spreading by runners and forming attractive low-growing mats, making them both ornamental and delicious.

'White Solemacher' (Also known as Weiss Solemacher) is a white fruiting alpine strawberry cultivar that has been around for many years. It was discovered in Germany. The fruit is among the largest white fruit produced by alpines. It is a clumping type (few to no runners) and is day neutral which means it is not dependent on day length for flowering. The white fruit has the distinctive wild strawberry flavor and aroma expected from fraises des bois. The fruit has a hint of pineapple flavor typical of white alpine fruit. We like it that birds don't seem to know the fruit is ripe and so it Fools the Birds and a part of the collection by that name.

The Striped German Tomato is a beautiful large sliced variety with very attractive, brilliant and bright orange-marbled stripes! The flat, medium to large, variably ribbed-shoulder tomatoes are shaded yellow and red. The marbled interior of this variety looks absolutely beautiful sliced! The complex, fruity flavor and smooth texture makes the Striped German Tomato a customer favorite .Organically grown.

Brunswick cabbage is a traditional variety known for its hardiness and adaptability, making it a favorite among gardeners in cooler climates. Originating from Europe, Brunswick cabbage features large, tightly packed heads that can reach sizes of 3-5 pounds. The leaves are thick, dark green, and slightly crinkled, providing a robust texture. The flavor is mild and sweet, especially after exposure to frost, which enhances its natural sugars. Brunswick cabbage is typically harvested in late summer to early fall, and it can store well, making it ideal for winter use. This variety is often used for sauerkraut, coleslaw, and various cooked dishes due to its versatility. Brunswick cabbage plants grow upright and can reach heights of about 18-24 inches, preferring well-drained soil and full sun. Their resilience to cold weather makes them suitable for early spring and fall planting, allowing gardeners to enjoy fresh produce throughout the growing season. Overall, Brunswick cabbage is valued for its robust flavor, adaptability, and long storage life.

The Heirloom Blend is a collection of 8 distinctively different heirloom tomato varieties! If you like the fresh taste of heirloom tomatoes, then try this beautiful rainbow blend of tomatoes. We have hand selected our 8 favorite heirlooms and blended them together to create a wonderful assortment of mouth-watering, colorful, and multiple use tomatoes. The Heirloom Blend includes Marglobe Supreme, Black Krim, Rutger, Pink Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Golden Jubilee, Sweetie Cherry and Roma.

Red Jewel is early maturing and produces good size cabbages. This variety is a high-yielding red cabbage hybrid with uniform maturity. Red Jewel offers a deep red head with a short core and is ideal for both fresh and shredder markets.

The Speckled Roman is a plum shaped tomato with a great flavor! This tomato variety is a beautiful colored tomato and when mature, has a bright red skin with golden streaks. This meaty tomato has a thick flesh that is excellent raw in salads, and cooks quickly into different sauces.