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 Pepperoncini Italian is a popular Italian pepper that is a favorite for pickling, cooking or eating fresh. This small bushy plant produces 3-5" wrinkly fruits that have thin walls and a sweet, mild heat. This variety is a delightful all-purpose pepper that can be enjoyed in numerous ways! Pick this pepper at the yellow-green stage for pickling or allow them to ripen greenish-red for eating raw or cooking! This is one of the lowest heat "hot" peppers that we offer, as it has a very slight heat with a more sweet flavor. When the Pepperoncini Italian is pickled, they become addicting!

Red Currant tomatoes are a charming heirloom variety renowned for their tiny, jewel-like fruits and exceptional sweetness. Believed to have origins in both Europe and North America, this variety has been cherished for its prolific nature and unique characteristics. The tomatoes are notably small, often the size of a pea, and grow in clusters reminiscent of currants, hence the name. They are bright red when ripe and possess a delightful, tangy-sweet flavor that makes them perfect for snacking, salads, and garnishes. Red Currant tomatoes typically reach maturity in about 60 to 70 days, making them relatively quick to harvest. The plants exhibit a vigorous, indeterminate growth habit, meaning they produce an abundant yield throughout the growing season and require staking or caging to manage their sprawling vines. With their vibrant color, sweet flavor, and impressive productivity, Red Currant tomatoes are a favorite among gardeners looking to add both beauty and a burst of flavor to their gardens.

The Orange Habanero Pepper is among the hottest peppers available! This Habanero variety speaks for itself as it is one of the most well known peppers for its hotness. The Orange Habanera will mature from a silvery green to a bright orange color.

The Purple Plum is an amazing purple skinned radish with a crisp, mild and sweet white flesh! This unique radish is different from the "typical" radish coloring. This small round shaped radish is early to harvest, which makes it great for home and market growers. Purple Plum is a nice variety to blend with other colors in mixes!

The Amana Orange Tomato is a giant 1 pound beefsteak with a unique bright orange skin and a very juicy with an intensely flavored flesh! Bite into one of these and you won't forget the first time! This very attractive colored tomato  looks great with any meal. The Amana Orange tomato has become very popular since it's introduction in the 1980's.

The Black Plum Tomato is a heavy producer and a favorite plum-shaped tomato variety for making different salsa or sauces. This variety produces 2" long by 1" wide tomatoes that weigh around 1-2 ounces. The Black Plum has a black-purple skin with green-shoulders and a very delicious flavor.

The Carbon Tomato won the “Best Tasting Tomato Award” at the Heirloom Garden Show in 2005 and continues to rate very high in many taste tests! This tomato is one of the darkest of the “black tomato” varieties, and 10-12 oz. in size with a flattened round shape. This purplish-brown, "black" colored tomato has a deep brick red flesh and has a deliciously rich, sweet flavor. The fruit is medium to large, with a slightly flattened shape and a smooth, glossy skin. Carbon tomatoes are celebrated for their robust flavor profile, which blends sweet, tangy, and smoky notes, making them a versatile choice for fresh salads, sauces, and salsas. The plants are indeterminate, meaning they continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season, typically reaching heights of 5 to 7 feet. They exhibit a vigorous growth habit and produce a steady yield of tomatoes from mid-summer to fall. Harvesting is usually done when the tomatoes have fully ripened and developed their deep color. With their rich flavor, striking color, and reliable productivity, Carbon tomatoes are a favorite among gardeners and culinary aficionados alike. 

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.

Solar Yellow carrots are a delightful and unique variety that brings a vibrant burst of color to your garden and plate. Distinguished by their bright yellow hue, these carrots stand out among the more traditional orange varieties, offering a sunny and cheerful appearance. Their color is due to the presence of xanthophylls, which are natural pigments that also contribute to their mild, slightly sweet flavor. Solar Yellow carrots are known for their crisp texture and tender bite, making them a versatile addition to both raw and cooked dishes. This golden carrot has 6-7 inches tapered roots.

Godzilla is a new broccoli that produces very heavy and small-beaded heads. Leaf attachments are small and lower on the stem, allowing for quick trimming and easier harvest. Heads are fine-beaded and have very heavy florets.

The Bambino carrot is a super sweet baby gourmet carrot. The color develops quickly and can pull early. This carrot produces 4 in. cylindrical blunt roots, very small core, smooth skin, a deep orange color and small dwarf tops. The Bambino was developed for canning & pickling whole and must be harvested early.

The Ruby Queen is an excellent canning and fresh eating beet! A perfectly round beet that has a smooth buttery texture that is more tender than any other beet. An early maturing beet, 52 days, that grows well in any soil type throughout the country. Ruby Queen can be grown close because they hold their shape well. They can also be grown larger than most beets and still hold good flavor making it a great market beet. An All American Selection winner!

The All Seasons Cabbage is a very heat resistant cabbage that is resistant to yellowing and will offer a nice flavor in any dish. This cabbage produces fine heads that are about 10-11" across and average about 11-14 pounds.

Wando pea seeds are a popular heirloom variety known for their cold tolerance and early harvest. They produce vibrant green, sweet-tasting peas that are perfect for fresh eating, freezing, or cooking. The seeds grow into plants that are typically 18-24 inches tall, making them ideal for small gardens or containers. Wando peas are well-suited for cooler climates, as they can withstand light frosts and thrive in temperatures between 55°F and 75°F. With a quick maturation time of about 60-70 days, they are a great choice for gardeners looking to enjoy peas early in the growing season. Their resilience and ease of growth make them a favorite among both beginner and experienced gardeners.

The Parisian carrot is a little round carrot that is a nineteenth-century French heirloom! this carrot variety is an early orange-red carrot that grows almost more like the shape of a large radish. Excels in clay or rocky soil where other carrots have problems developing properly. Its flavor is legendary and is highly sought after by gourmet restaurants.

The Cosmic Purple carrot is absolutely amazing! This beautiful purple carrot is bright yellow and orange inside! Cosmic Purple carrots have a tapered 7" shape and a very sweet taste, that has extra healthy anti-oxidants. This carrot is quite popular at farmers markets.

Scarlet kale seeds are a vibrant and intriguing choice for any garden enthusiast looking to add a splash of color and a touch of nutrition to their harvest. These seeds produce kale with striking red and purple leaves that not only brighten up your garden but also provide a visually stunning addition to your plate. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, scarlet kale is as beneficial as it is beautiful. Its bold flavor, with a slightly peppery bite, can elevate a variety of dishes from salads to soups. Easy to grow, these seeds thrive in cooler weather and are resilient to frost, making them a versatile option for extending the growing season. With scarlet kale, you're not just cultivating a nutritious vegetable; you're enhancing your garden's aesthetic appeal with a vibrant, healthful crop.

Often called Early Coreless, this heirloom carrot is prized for its excellent storage ability and wide adaptability in the garden. It produces smooth, cylindrical roots about 7 inches long with rounded ends and vibrant red-orange flesh that is fine-textured and nearly free of a core. The flavor is notably sweet, crisp, and clean, making it enjoyable fresh or cooked. Harvested young, it works beautifully as a baby carrot, and it also performs exceptionally well for freezing and juicing. With origins dating back to the 1850s, this classic variety was developed in France by the renowned seed firm Vilmorin-Andrieux and remains a favorite for its quality and reliability.