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.

The Dazzling Blue Kale is a beautiful, cold-tolerant lacinato-type that produces large blue-green leaves with deep purple veins. This kale is sure to add a delicious pop of color to any salad! This variety will survive freezing temperatures better than other lacinato types and will even intensify with cool temperatures.

Trinidad Scorpion Butch T pepper seeds produce one of the hottest chili peppers in the world, known for its intense heat and distinctive fruity flavor. Originating from Trinidad, this pepper earned its spot in the Guinness World Records as the hottest pepper in 2011, with heat levels reaching over 1.4 million Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). The peppers grow on compact plants and mature into small, wrinkled, reddish-orange pods that pack a fiery punch. Despite their extreme heat, Trinidad Scorpion Butch T peppers are also prized for their complex flavor profile, offering a slightly sweet, citrus-like taste before the intense heat kicks in. Ideal for hot sauce production, spicy foods, or daring pepper enthusiasts, these seeds are best suited for experienced gardeners who are prepared to handle the intense heat and care required for growing this fiery pepper.

The Lacinato Kale is an old Italian heirloom kale that has very large tender leaves. This favorite is now available in organic seeds! The Lacinato, or also known as Dinosaur kale, Black Magic or Toscano, is popular for home gardening and fresh markets. Its scaly, bumpy leaves are large dark blue-green and very delicious. Pick young for the most tender leaves. The Lacinato produces high yields and can be harvested continually. Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.

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.

Late Flat Dutch cabbage seeds produce one of the oldest and most reliable heirloom cabbage varieties, first introduced to American gardens in the mid-1800s and prized for its large, flat, broad heads. This late-season type matures slowly, typically in 100–110 days, forming dense, firm heads that can weigh 10–15 pounds, making it excellent for gardeners seeking high yields and long storage. Its flavor is mild, sweet, and crisp, improving after light frost exposure, which enhances its natural sugars. Historically valued for sauerkraut production, it remains a top choice for fermentation, coleslaw, boiling, and traditional cooking, while its long shelf life makes it a staple for winter kitchens and homestead food preservation.

Red Grano onion seeds produce a classic short-day variety that originated in the early 20th century from the famous Grano strain developed in Texas. Known for their medium to large, globe-shaped bulbs with rose-red skin and white, mildly flavored flesh, Red Grano onions are prized for both fresh use and short-term storage. They thrive in regions with mild winters and are best sown in late fall or early spring, preferring full sun and loose, well-drained soil. With a growing period of about 100–120 days, these onions mature into tender, juicy bulbs that add a sweet yet slightly sharp flavor to salads, sandwiches, and salsas.

Great field cabbage performance. A rugged hybrid that produces well in Southern winters and Northern summers. Produces large, blue-green heads with cream colored inside. Uniform cabbage that works great for markets.

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 Premier Kale, or also known as Early Hanover, is a high yielding kale with delicious and nutritious green leaves. This kale is early maturing that produces high amounts of smooth, dark green leaves. Plant Premier in the fall so that it produces higher yields and resists bolting 4 weeks longer. This kale's taste is a favorite and is extremely high in antioxidants and beta carotene!

The Cinderella is an excellent pumpkin for canning or baking pies and pumpkin bread as it has a great eating quality! This pumpkin variety is an heirloom variety from France that was selected out of the older variety, Rouge vif d'Etampes. Cinderella has deep ridges and exceptional flatening, making it a beautiful decoration for Halloween and other other fall festivities. This variety's vines are very productive with pumpkins that have grooved, thick walls.

The Lutz Green Leaf Red Stem Beet has a beautiful deep red hue and a mouth watering taste that pairs perfectly with any dish. This variety is known for having huge glossy, deep green tops that are amazingly delicious! This beet is a "winterkeeper" beet that has a long standing storage capability. The Lutz Green Leaf Red Stem has 6 inches in diameter roots.

Green Arrow peas are a classic heirloom variety valued for their exceptional taste and reliable performance. Originating from the United Kingdom, this variety has been a staple in gardens for many decades. The Green Arrow pea plant is known for its vigorous, upright growth habit, typically reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet, making it suitable for small to medium-sized gardens and easy to manage without extensive support. The peas themselves are distinguished by their smooth, bright green pods and plump, tender peas that offer a sweet, fresh flavor. These peas are primarily used for fresh eating, though they are also excellent for freezing. They are generally harvested when the pods are fully formed but still tender, usually in late spring to early summer. The Green Arrow variety is appreciated for its high yield and disease resistance, which contribute to a bountiful harvest. With its sweet flavor, productive growth, and ease of cultivation, Green Arrow peas remain a popular choice among gardeners seeking a dependable and delicious pea variety.

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.

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.

The Tokyo Long Bunching Onion is a tender bunching type, loved by many chefs! This long variety grows an upright single stalk with dark green leaves little, white crisp bulbs. This tender and tasty onion is also heat tolerant.

Dill's Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds are famous for producing the world’s largest pumpkins, a variety developed by Nova Scotia grower Howard Dill in the 1970s and later patented due to its remarkable size potential. Bred from a long line of giant pumpkins, this variety has set countless world records, with some specimens weighing well over a ton. The plants are vigorous and sprawling, requiring ample space, rich soil, and consistent watering to support the rapid growth of their enormous fruit. These pumpkins typically range from 200–400 pounds in a home garden, though competitive growers often push them far beyond that with careful cultivation and special techniques. While the flesh is edible and can be used in pies, soups, or livestock feed, Dill’s Atlantic Giant pumpkins are most often grown for show, competitions, and fall displays. Their massive size, combined with their bright orange color and smooth rind, makes them an impressive centerpiece for fairs, festivals, and giant pumpkin weigh-offs worldwide.

The German Giant Tomato is a giant potato leaf heirloom type of tomato with a rich, sweet flavor! This variety is a deep pink hue that grows to be 30+ ounces. The German Giant tomato is favored for being very juicy.

Organic - The Cayenne Long Thin 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. Cayenne Long Thin is excellent for drying, pickling and fresh eating to spice up your chili or salsa. This pepper plant is bushy and reaches 26" tall. Conventional seed available.