Zone 10 - What to Plant in December

Zone 10 - What to Plant in December

Zone 10 gardeners should be planting their gardens in December. With no risk of frost but the dog days of summer behind us, this is the perfect time to plant. See the vegetables below that are perfect for planting now.

One of our favorite peppers! If you like sweet peppers with a slight spicy kick, then the Cajun Belle is for you! This variety is a great small bell pepper that is an All American Selection winner. Cajun Belle matures early and is a very heavy yielder that bears 2 by 3 inch, 3-4 lobed fruit. This pepper's flavor really sets it apart from the pack with a sweet start that ends in a burst of spice that's not too hot. We found this charmer to be superb for both fresh eating and making salsa at either the green stage, or when ripened to red!

The Siberian Tomato is a great variety for colder climates! This tomato variety matures fast and will produce heavy and early where shorter growing seasons prevail, like the norther states and Canada. This red oval, 2-4 ounce tomato grows on a compact plant that is fine for patio or container gardens.

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.

China Express is a chinese cabbage that is a widely-adapted and can be grown throughout. This is a very uniform cabbage with tightly wrapped heads. Medium-sized that are fast maturing.

The Alaska Pea is a super-early variety that thrives in colder temperatures! This pea is a semi-dwarf variety that grows to an average height of 3' and is a decent producer once flowering begins. Alaska's pods produce 5-7 peas per pod that offers a sweet and delicious flavor.

The Cayenne Long Red Thick Pepper is the biggest cayenne pepper you can grow! This variety's pepper grows to 5" long and 1/2" thick and are often curled and twisted. This pepper is great enjoyed fresh or dried for later use! The Cayenne Long Red Thick is a middle of the road hot pepper.

The Peppermint Stick's tender prolific stalks have real celery flavor! This unique, bicolored striped celery is red and white and full of flavor. It is a slow bolting variety. Use the Peppermint Stick's leaves and stalks for fresh seasoning. This celery is definitely a colorful addition to your garden!

China Star is a high producing and uniform Chinese cabbage. Grows large heads with a dark green exterior and dark yellow interior. It is slow bolting. China Star performs well in all Chinese cabbage planting slots.

The Pruden's Purple Tomato, also known as Prudence, is considered to be one of the best heirloom beefsteak tomatoes in America! This tomato variety is an indeterminate, potato leaf plant that has heavy yields of 10-16 ounce, dark pink fruits. Pruden's Purple produces only very few seeds and is widely adapted.

Serrano is a hot, sweet pepper with a great taste! This pepper variety is a pungent pepper that can grow up to 4" long! These skinny peppers have medium thin walls that mature to a bright red color on thirty inch tall plants.

The Long Red Slim Cayenne Pepper is a traditional medium heat cayenne pepper with a great flavor! This variety is a long and thin pepper that produces unbelievably high yields. These peppers will mature red and are wrinkled with a mixture of straight and curly fruits. Long Red Slim is excellent for drying, pickling and fresh eating to spice up your chili or salsa. This pepper plant is bushy and reaches 26" tall.

The classic Burpee's Bush Big Boy Tomato is the same large, juicy favorite but has been made even better, especially for small-space gardeners. With this variety, you get the same number of tasty, big red tomatoes (10 to 11 oz. each), with the same sweet, aromatic, melt-in-your-mouth juiciness as the original, but the compact plants are only half the size!

The Italian Ice is a small white to cream-yellow tomato variety with a sugary sweet flavor that is bursting with flavor! This variety produces high yields of up to 1" sized fruits that ripen from green to white to cream-yellow color. The tomatoes are edible once they turn their famous yellow white. The ripened tomatoes are incredibly sweet, which makes this variety a double threat! This tomato plant is a heavy producer that will grow and produce tomatoes up until the first frost. This variety should be staked well as it will grow large and vine off! The Italian Ice will be one of the first tomato varieties to ripen in the garden.

Cylindra beets, also known as "Formanova" or "Butter Slicer," are a unique variety of beetroot known for their elongated, cylindrical shape. These beets have a fascinating history, originally hailing from Europe, particularly Denmark, where they were developed in the early 20th century. Their distinctive shape was cultivated to make them easier to slice and can, a practical innovation that has made them popular among home gardeners and commercial growers alike. In terms of taste, cylindra beets are mild and sweet, with a slightly earthy flavor. They are known for their tender, non-fibrous texture, making them excellent candidates for pickling, roasting, or slicing thinly for salads. Their deep red-purple skin contrasts beautifully with the vibrant, dark red flesh inside, adding an attractive element to culinary dishes. Cylindra beets typically grow to be 6-8 inches in length and 2 inches in diameter. They are ready for harvest in approximately 55-65 days from planting, making them a relatively quick-growing beet variety. They thrive in well-drained, loamy soil with full sun exposure. When it comes to disease resistance, cylindra beets tend to be more resistant to common beet diseases like leaf spot and powdery mildew than some other beet varieties. Proper spacing is crucial, with about 2-3 inches between each plant and rows spaced 12-18 inches apart. With the right care and growing conditions, cylindra beets can yield a bountiful crop of these delicious and uniquely-shaped vegetables, making them a favorite among gardeners and chefs.  

The Blue Curled Scotch Kale can be used as a garnish and or in hearty winter dishes. This kale variety is a compact plant with very tender, blue-green, crinkled leaves that are quite delicious, very cold hardy, and rich in vitamin A.

Beefmaster F1 tomato plants are renowned for producing some of the largest and most flavorful tomatoes in home gardens. Known for their impressive size, these beefsteak-type tomatoes can weigh over a pound each, making them perfect for slicing and adding to sandwiches, salads, and burgers. The plants are robust and vigorous, often reaching heights of up to 6 feet, and require sturdy support to handle the weight of the fruit. With a rich, juicy flavor and a meaty texture, Beefmaster tomatoes are highly sought after by gardeners and chefs alike, providing an abundant harvest throughout the growing season. In addition to their exceptional fruit, Beefmaster tomato plants are relatively easy to grow, thriving in warm climates with full sun and well-drained soil. They are typically resistant to common tomato diseases, which makes them a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners. Regular watering and proper fertilization help ensure optimal growth and fruit development. With their high yield and impressive size, Beefmaster tomatoes can significantly enhance the home garden, offering not just fresh produce for the table but also a rewarding gardening experience. Whether enjoyed fresh, cooked, or preserved, these tomatoes are sure to delight anyone who tastes them.

The Minowase Daikon Radish has a crisp firm flesh is pure white. This Daikon radish, produces long tapered white radishes that are mostly used as winter radishes. The Minowase has a great, mild taste that is excellent in many Oriental dishes. This radish variety is great for spring or late summer planting.

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.