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 Sparkler Radish is a bright scarlet colored radish with a sweet, juicy flesh and snappy flavor. This variety's scarlet skin fades to white on lower 1/3 of its round, to round oval bulb. This radish's medium tops are perfect for both home and market gardens. Sparkler can grow up to 1.5" diameter.

Spring Raab broccoli, also known as rapini, has roots in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in Italy, where it has been cultivated for centuries. This unique vegetable is characterized by its slender, green stalks topped with small yellow flowers and dark green leaves, which are edible and packed with nutrients. The flavor of Spring Raab is distinctively bitter and nutty, which softens with cooking, making it a versatile addition to dishes like stir-fries and pasta. Harvesting typically occurs 40-60 days after planting, ideally before the flowers fully open for optimal taste. This cool-season crop thrives in well-drained soil and prefers cooler temperatures, making it perfect for early spring or fall planting. Its rapid growth and ability to produce multiple harvests make Spring Raab a favorite among gardeners, while its rich vitamin content adds to its appeal for health-conscious cooks.

The Baby Roma, also known as the "Cherry Roma," is a miniature roma-shaped tomato that is bursting with an intense sweet flavor. This tomato variety is great for garden snacking, adding into salads and growing for market production. The Baby Roma plant produces an incredibly heavy set of 1” grape-type tomato fruits that have a very long shelf life. 

The Micro Tom Tomato is the perfect little cherry tomato variety for growing in tight places, ideal for windowsills and patios! This unusual, tiny plant grows to be just 4" tall. This variety produces good yields of tiny sized red tomatoes that everyone will love, especially kids!

The Moneymaker Tomato is a terrific, high yielding heirloom that produces delicious, bright red and smooth fruits that are perfect for fresh eating. This variety's vine can grow to 5-6' and produce very heavy yields of 4-6 ounce fruits. This tasty heirloom tomato does well in hot humid climates and greenhouse growing. The Moneymaker originates from England and produces vigorous vines that should be staked for best results.

The Lunar White is a rare white carrot with high yields! This is a very productive carrot with creamy white roots. The Lunar White has a mild, but delicious flavor with small core.

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 China Rose Radish is a tasty rose colored radish with peppery undertones. This long radish variety with 5 inch long roots is one of the oldest heirloom radishes around. The China Rose is a very hardy type that can be grown year round.

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 Mammoth Melting Pea is a snow pea that adds the perfect mouthwatering crunch to any salad! The 5-6 foot tall vines require trellising for support. This variety's large sweet pods thrive in the cooler weather. Add a fresh pop of bright green to any garden or dish with the Mammoth Melting! 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.

Crimson radish is a vibrant and flavorful variety of radish that stands out for its striking color and crisp texture. Originating from traditional radish cultivars, Crimson radish has been cultivated for its eye-catching appearance and peppery taste. This variety is known for its round, smooth roots, which boast a deep red to crimson skin and a white, crunchy interior. The flavor is typically sharp and tangy, with a satisfying bite that enhances salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. Crimson radishes generally mature in about 25 to 30 days, making them a quick and rewarding crop for gardeners. The plants exhibit a compact, upright growth habit, growing to a height of about 6 to 12 inches with a spread of 6 to 8 inches. They thrive in cool weather and well-drained soil, preferring full sun to partial shade. Their rapid growth and ease of cultivation make them ideal for successive plantings, providing a steady supply of fresh radishes throughout the growing season. With their vibrant color, crisp texture, and zesty flavor, Crimson radishes are a popular choice for adding both visual appeal and flavor to the garden and kitchen.

Thomas Laxton is an heirloom pea plant that is big and productive. At Urban Farmer we have trialed these a few times and they are always are favorite shelling pea. The peas are always sugary and delicious. This pea variety is named after the famous pea breeder, Thomas Laxton. This old heirloom pea is over a century old and has withstood the test of time. Each pod contains at least 8 peas and often up to 10! Make sure to support the Thomas Laxton's 3' vines with a trellis.

The Oregon Giant Pea plant has excellent yield potential. This variety is a home garden favorite that offers a great flavored pod if eaten while young and its peas have a great sugar flavor!

The Sweet Hungarian Wax is a great pepper for pickling and adding into salads or sandwiches. This pepper variety produces light yellow peppers that can be picked early or let ripen to an orange-red color.

Little SnowPea Purple produces dwarf-sized vines with beautiful purple flowers. This pea plant is tiny yet productive and does well in small gardens or containers. The pods mature early and have a crunchy bite. Plants will reach a maximum height of 24 inches. For pea shoots, matures in 10 days. Expect slender, tight greens with minimal side branching, upright habit, and ease of harvest and stack.

Caribbean Red Habanero is one of the hottest peppers available! This habanero is a wrinkled, red hot pepper that needs to be handled with caution! This variety can be picked green at around 70 days, but for a sweeter flavor, allow them to turn red!

Hungarian Hot Wax peppers are a popular medium-heat chili variety known for their distinctive yellow color and elongated, tapering shape, typically growing about 6-8 inches long. As they mature, these peppers transition from a vibrant yellow to a bright red, adding a visual appeal to any dish. With a Scoville heat rating of 5,000 to 15,000, Hungarian Hot Wax peppers provide a nice kick without overwhelming heat, making them versatile for various culinary uses. Originating from Hungary, these peppers are often used in traditional dishes, pickled for a zesty snack, or incorporated into sauces and salsas. Their crisp texture and sweet, tangy flavor enhance both fresh and cooked preparations. Harvesting usually occurs when the peppers are bright yellow, around 70-80 days after planting, but they can also be left on the plant to ripen to red for a slightly sweeter taste. Hungarian Hot Wax peppers thrive in warm climates and well-drained soil, making them a favorite among home gardeners. Their unique flavor profile and moderate heat level make them a delightful addition to a wide range of dishes, from stir-fries to salads.