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.

Fragaria virginiana, commonly known as the Virginia or Wild Strawberry, is a native North American species that played a key role in the history of cultivated strawberries, having been crossed with the Chilean strawberry (F. chiloensis) in the 18th century to produce the modern garden strawberry. These plants spread by runners and form low mats, producing small, deep red berries that are celebrated for their intense sweetness and concentrated, classic strawberry aroma. While smaller than commercial varieties, the fruit packs a rich, complex flavor that many describe as more “wild” and satisfying. Adaptable and resilient, F. virginiana thrives in fields, forest edges, and meadows, with attractive trifoliate leaves, delicate white flowers, and a long tradition of use by both wildlife and people.

Fragaria vesca var. semperflorens ‘Golden Alexandria’ is a striking Alpine strawberry selection descended from long-cultivated European woodland forms, known for its unique chartreuse-to-golden foliage that adds ornamental flair to gardens. Unlike traditional runnering strawberries, it forms compact clumps that continuously fruit from late spring into fall, producing numerous small, bright red berries. The flavor is intensely sweet and aromatic, carrying the rich wild-strawberry taste that Alpine types are famous for, making them popular with gourmet growers. Its colorful leaves provide season-long visual interest, while the fragrant berries offer a delicious contrast, making ‘Golden Alexandria’ both decorative and highly flavorful.

Red Arrow radish seeds produce fast-growing plants that are primarily cultivated for their vibrant red stems and lush green leaves rather than their roots. This variety is especially prized for microgreens and edible shoots, offering a crisp texture and a bold, spicy radish flavor that adds zest to salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. Red Arrow is easy to grow, thrives in full sun to partial shade, and is well-suited for both garden beds and indoor trays. Its striking color and strong flavor make it a favorite among chefs and home growers alike.

Dwarf White Sugar peas are a compact, heirloom variety of edible-podded peas prized for their sweet, tender pods and early harvest. Growing to just about 2 to 3 feet tall, they require little to no support, making them ideal for small gardens and containers. These peas produce delicate white flowers followed by flat, crisp pods that can be eaten whole, either raw or cooked. Known for their mild, sugary flavor, Dwarf White Sugar peas are often harvested young for the best texture and taste. They thrive in cool weather and are typically among the first vegetables ready to harvest in the spring garden.

Sugar Lace peas are a unique variety of edible-podded peas known for their attractive, semi-leafless vines with tendrils that help them cling and climb, reducing the need for support. These peas produce sweet, crisp pods that are stringless and ideal for fresh eating, stir-frying, or steaming. Unlike traditional shelling peas, Sugar Lace peas are enjoyed whole, pod and all, making them a convenient and nutritious garden snack. They are a late-season type with high yields and excellent disease resistance, thriving best in cool weather and well-drained soil. Their compact growth habit also makes them suitable for small gardens or container planting.

Blush onion seeds produce a modern, open-pollinated specialty onion developed for its attractive color, mild flavor, and reliable garden performance. This short-day, fresh-use onion was bred from sweet onion lines to mature quickly and perform well in warm and intermediate growing regions. Blush onions form small to medium-sized, flattened-globe bulbs with soft pink to rosy blush skins and crisp white flesh that has a mild, slightly sweet taste ideal for fresh eating and salads. Best grown as a bunching or fresh bulb onion rather than for long storage, Blush onions prefer full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost or direct sow in early spring, keep soil evenly moist, and harvest when bulbs reach desired size or when tops begin to fall.

Yosemite onion seeds produce a dependable, open-pollinated storage onion developed for long-day growing regions and valued for its uniform bulbs and excellent keeping quality. Bred from traditional American storage onion lines, Yosemite was selected for adaptability, disease resistance, and consistent yields in cooler northern climates. This variety forms medium to large, round bulbs with golden-brown skins and firm white flesh that offers a balanced, mildly pungent onion flavor ideal for cooking and long-term storage. Yosemite onions thrive in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, requiring consistent moisture during early growth. Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost or direct sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring, keep beds weed-free, and harvest once tops fall and skins cure for optimal storage life.

The Golden Sweet Pea is really the gold standard for yellow shelling peas! This yellow pod snow pea grows to be around 3 inches long. This pea has a wonderful sweet taste and can be eaten raw in salads or steamed as a side dish. The large 5-6 foot vines need to be trellised and will grow beautiful purple flowers. Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.

SuperStar is a hybrid cabbage that produces the highest quality fresh market cabbages. It has excellent wrappers for a fancy pack along with excellent holding ability in the field and after harvest.

China Gold (F1) cabbage has exceptional color both inside and out. It has a compact frame, good weight and is very slow bolting.

The size of the First Prize Pumpkin will range from 50 lbs. to a whopping 150 lbs. with a bright color superior to the Atlantic types. Truly a first prize, this pumpkin variety will be a great addition for those who want the biggest and best. The First Prize matures in 120 days from planting on vigorous vines. This pumpkin is compared to Prizewinner F1.

Howden pumpkins are a classic variety known for their ideal characteristics for both carving and decoration. Typically round and medium to large in size, these pumpkins can weigh between 10 to 30 pounds, featuring a smooth, bright orange skin that is easy to carve. Their sturdy, thick walls provide excellent structure for carving, making them a popular choice for Halloween decorations. Developed in the 1960s, Howden pumpkins have become a favorite among growers for their reliable yields and disease resistance. The flesh is sweet and can be used in pies and other dishes, although they are primarily sought after for their aesthetic appeal during the fall season. These pumpkins thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, requiring a growing period of about 90-120 days from planting to harvest. They are typically ready for picking in late summer to early fall, just in time for Halloween and Thanksgiving festivities. Howden pumpkins' vibrant color, robust shape, and versatility make them a staple in autumn decorations and culinary applications alike.

The Lucky Tiger Tomato is a sweet and fruity tomato that is part of the beautiful and tasty Artisan tomato collection and is great for fresh eating! The elongated green striped cherry tomato has red blush bottoms that mixes beautifully with the other Artisan tomatoes.

The Hailstone Radish is a round white radish with a very crisp flesh that is a nice color contrast on relish trays and in salads. This quick growing radish is suitable to both spring and fall planting. Begin harvesting this radish variety when its nearly an inch across.

The Cincinnati Market Radish is a uniquely skinny and elongated pink to red radish that is a fresh-from-the-garden-favorite! This six inch variety has a delicately mild taste with a very tender and crisp texture, making it perfect for fresh eating. The early maturing radish has been an heirloom garden favorite since 1885. You can enjoy the delicious Cincinnati Market from spring to fall.

The White Albino beet plants produce good yields of very sweet white beets. The beets are white and will never stain again! This gourmet beet is ideal for boiling, pickling, baking, and freezing.

The Tasty Evergreen Tomato is a green fleshed heirloom with a tasty, strong sweet flavor. This tomato was introduced by Glecklers Seedmen of Metamora, Ohio in 1956. This delicious large heirloom ripens to grapefruit yellow with a lime-green flesh, giving it a very sweet flavor. This very productive, medium-sized beefsteak grows well throughout the United States. The Tasty Evergreen produces a continual harvest throughout the season.

The Copia Tomato is a yellow and red striped beefsteak variety that is a cross between the Green Zebra and Marvel Striped. This sweet and juicy tomato is perfect for slicing and adding to salads and sandwiches for a sweet and tangy kick! This beefsteak can weigh 10-12 ounces each.