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.

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.

Sugar Ann is a 1984 All America Selections winner! This snap pea variety has an edible pod that offers earliness, productivity, and a compact growth habit. The crisp, sweet succulent 3 inch pods are ready to eat in just 10 to 14 days ahead of the original Sugar Snap, and remain in prime eating condition for days.

Orange King is a deliciously sweet and tangy orange pepper. This blocky, thick skinned pepper turns from green to a bright orange when mature. Its plants produce average yields of 4-5 lobed block peppers that mature to 4x6." This pepper variety is the sweetest bell pepper we have tasted to date! Orange King is perfect for fresh eating, dips, salads, stuffing, stir fries and sandwiches.

The Rainbow Blend contains a kaleidoscope of orange, purple, red, white and multi-colored beet varieties that will make any dish pop! This colorful variety not only produces the brightest colored beets, but also the tastiest. This blend is a great addition to any garden, especially a container garden. Enjoy this beet blend in a salad, or roasted for a mouthwatering colorful plate.

Park’s Whopper CR Improved tomato seeds produce a classic, time-tested hybrid that has been a staple in American gardens for decades. Introduced by Park Seed and bred for dependable performance, this indeterminate beefsteak-type tomato is known for its large, smooth, globe-shaped fruits that often reach 12-14 ounces or more. Plants are vigorous and productive, showing good resistance to common tomato diseases and adapting well to a range of growing conditions. Park’s Whopper typically reaches maturity in about 65 days from transplant, providing a steady midseason harvest. The bright red tomatoes have meaty flesh, few seeds, and a juicy texture, delivering a rich, old-fashioned tomato flavor with a satisfying balance of sweetness and acidity that makes it ideal for slicing and fresh eating. This Improved CR tomato has been the standard for taste, size and production for many years. This improved Parks Whopper offers an earlier (5 days) harvest and a more diseases resistant tomato.

Big Max pumpkin seeds are celebrated for producing some of the largest pumpkins available, making them a favorite among growers aiming for impressive, eye-catching results. These seeds produce pumpkins that can reach weights of 50 to 100 pounds or more, with their vibrant orange skin and smooth, rounded shape. The Big Max variety is known for its robust, sturdy vines that support the hefty fruit, and it generally requires a long growing season to achieve its full potential. Ideal for autumn decorations, Halloween displays, and giant pumpkin contests, Big Max pumpkins offer a dramatic presence with their substantial size and striking color. The seeds are relatively easy to cultivate, making them accessible to both seasoned gardeners and enthusiastic novices eager to grow a standout pumpkin.

A spectacular everbearing strawberry that does well in hanging pots! Produces delicious 1" inch fruits all summer long. The only true variety that produces traditional, full-sized strawberries from seed. Bred in the US by one of the leading seed houses, this wonderful, new, everbearing variety is both early and long-blooming. Sow indoors 3 months before transplanting outdoors.

Texas Early Grano onion is a renowned heirloom variety with a rich history and impressive growing characteristics. Originating from the fertile soils of Texas, this onion has been cultivated since the early 20th century and is celebrated for its adaptability and early harvest. The Texas Early Grano onion is characterized by its round, yellow bulbs with a smooth, thin skin and crisp, white flesh. Known for its mild, sweet flavor, it is particularly favored for fresh use in salads, salsas, and cooking. The onions generally reach maturity in about 100 to 110 days, and the plants exhibit a robust, upright growth habit, growing to heights of 12 to 18 inches with a spread of about 6 to 8 inches. They thrive in well-drained, fertile soil and prefer full sun exposure. Texas Early Grano onions are notable for their early harvest, which allows gardeners to enjoy fresh onions earlier in the season compared to other varieties. Their reliable growth, mild flavor, and adaptability make them a popular choice for both home gardeners and commercial growers.

The Ugly Duckling is the "ugly" sister to our Cinderella pumpkin, but this variety produces multiple colors. This pumpkin is an antique French heirloom that, despite its name, is beautiful and great for ornamental purposes!

The Golden Detroit is the ultimate savory golden beet with delicious greens! A colorful beet that won over gardeners with it's sweet but more mild flavor. Golden Detroit's vibrant orange-yellow color makes a wonderful addition to salads and meals. Cooked it turns buttercup yellow and melts in your mouth. Light green, with gold veined leaves also mix well into salads. One of the best tasting raw beets that is extremely healthy.

Little SnapPea Crunch is perfect for smaller gardens or container growing! These pea plants are compact yet very productive. Little SnapPea Crunch produces crunchy, sweet, juicy, edible pod peas in about 58-60 days. These peas do well as the weather warms and pea shoots, mature in 13 days and displays very short internodes. Leaves are great as a garnish or as a stand-alone salad green.

The Early Cascade Tomato is an early maturing bright red saladette type of tomato that has a wonderful fresh taste in salads! This very productive variety produces little 4 ounce vibrant tomatoes in clusters of 5-8 fruits.

Gypsy is a hybrid broccoli that produces well in warmer growing zones. An excellent variety for greenhouse production. Gypsy has a strong root system and intermediate downy mildew resistance. Gypsy yields excellent, smooth, dome-shaped heads with medium-small beads.

The hardy American Flag leek is a good variety for both home and market growers. The attractive uniform leek has blue green leaves and white stalks. The American Flag variety has a very nice sweet flavor. This leek can be enjoyed during fall and winter. Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.

The Abe Lincoln Tomato is a popular heirloom variety with very good disease resistance that has been a farm favorite since the 1920's! This tomato variety produces bright red, perfectly round and medium-sized 12 oz. tomatoes in clusters up to 9. This tomato is very delicious and rich with slightly acidic tomato flavors. The Abe Lincoln will be in your garden for years!

Crunchy Red produces large tops and very uniform dark red, round roots. This variety is very slow to develop pith. It performs well under cool conditions. It’s usually a few days earlier than standard varieties. Crunchy Red is desirable where larger roots are required.

The Red Pear Tomato is an old time favorite heirloom that always pleases everybody! This variety is a bright red, pear-shaped tomato with a history dating back to Colonial times. The Red Pear's plants are very prolific and are producers of 1-2" long tomatoes that are great on salads, sauces or roasted in the oven.

The Oxheart Carrot is a small variety weighing just only 1 pound and is named for its unique short shape resembling a heart. This carrot might be tiny, but its crisp, sweet flavor is mighty making it the perfect juicing carrot! This variety is very adaptable and thrives in either heavy or shallow soils. Oxheart will store very well and can be frozen to add to soups and strews!