Brought to you by garden.gg Zone 9b Planting Calendar & Schedule
USDA zone 9 has hot summers and mild, nearly frost-free winters, with an average annual minimum of 20-30°F and a growing season well over nine months. The limiting factor is summer heat, not cold, which inverts the calendar so cool-season crops flourish fall through spring while only heat-lovers persist in midsummer.
Zone 9b is the warmer half of USDA zone 9, where the average coldest winter night bottoms out at 25 to 30°F. Compared with the zone 9 averages, the last spring frost in zone 9b comes about a week earlier (Feb 21) and the first fall frost about a week later (Dec 12), for a growing season of about 294 days. Every planting window on this page is shifted to match: spring sowing and transplant dates move a week earlier, fall plantings a week later. Crop notes still quote zone 9 timing.
Zone 9 flips the calendar: with lows of only 20 to 30°F and 280 frost-free days, summer heat, not winter cold, is the limiting season. It covers central and coastal California, the Gulf Coast from Houston to New Orleans, central and north Florida, southern Texas, and Arizona's low desert valleys. Tomatoes go in the ground in late February, the garden rests or grows okra through the worst of summer, and a second season starts when temperatures break in late September.
States & regions in Zone 9: Central & coastal California, Gulf Coast (Houston, New Orleans area), Central & North Florida, Southern Texas, Southern Louisiana, Coastal Georgia & South Carolina (Lowcountry), Southern Arizona (low desert valleys)
Almost year-round. Almost paradise.
With 300+ frost-free days, zone 9 can grow food 10-11 months a year. The challenge isn't cold — it's heat management and pest pressure. Timing shifts earlier here: your tomato season starts in February and ends before the brutal summer.
Pro tip: Plant tomatoes in February for harvest by May. Start your fall garden by October when temps drop below 90°F.
Save a planting for your zone 9b garden — free
What to Plant in Zone 9b This Fall (September–November)
The average first fall frost in zone 9b is Dec 12. To find the last safe planting date for any fall crop, count back from that date by its days to maturity plus a 14-day fall factor — growth slows as days shorten and soil cools. Applied to zone 9b's frost date, that gives these plant-by dates:
Plant by Sep 9
80 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Sep 14
75 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Sep 19
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Sep 19
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Zone 9a and 9b: these dates count back from zone 9b's first frost, which is about a week later than the zone 9 average of Dec 5. Zone 9a gardeners have about two weeks less fall time — see the zone 9a fall dates.
Fall crops on this zone 9b calendar include Tomato, Bush Bean, Cucumber, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard, Collards, Mustard Greens, Arugula, and 19 more. Each crop's sowing and transplant window is in the fall planting section below.
For month-by-month detail, see what to plant in October across every zone, what to plant in September, and the fall vegetable planting guide by zone.
What to Plant by Season in Zone 9b
The right crops and methods for each season, based on zone 9b's climate and frost timing.
What to Plant in Spring
Spring in zone 9 is a fast, productive window between the late-February frost and the brutal heat that arrives by June, so warm-season crops should go in early and the last cool-season greens are squeezed in before they bolt. Get heat-lovers transplanted by mid-March to set fruit before summer night temperatures shut down pollination.
Feb 14 - Mar 24
Set out robust transplants right after last frost; choose heat-set varieties to keep fruiting as temps climb.
Feb 22 - Apr 3
Wait for soil to warm; peppers sulk in cold ground.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Loves the heat; one of the best summer performers here.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Plant at least two for cross-pollination.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Direct sow once soil hits 65°F; provide afternoon shade as heat builds.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Plant early to harvest before squash vine borer and powdery mildew peak.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Needs the full hot season to ripen; sow as early as soil allows.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Mar 25 - May 24
Wait for truly warm soil; thrives in peak summer heat.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Block-plant for pollination; get it in early to beat earworm pressure.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Mar 25 - May 24
Handles heat better than snap beans.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Mar 25 - May 24
Needs the long warm season to mature; sandy soil ideal.
Mar 25 - May 24
Excellent heat- and drought-tolerant summer legume.
Mar 25 - May 24
Plant slips once nights stay above 60°F.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Loves heat; pinch flowers to keep leaves coming all summer.
Mar 25 - May 24
Heat-loving leafy green that replaces true spinach in summer.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Mar 25 - May 24
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Good companion for nematode suppression around tomatoes.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Feb 14 - Mar 24
Plant early; fades once intense heat arrives.
Feb 14 - Mar 24
Last quick sowing of the season; harvest before it bolts in the heat.
What to Plant in Summer
Zone 9 summers are dominated by oppressive heat and humidity (or desert intensity) that halts most planting and stresses fruit set, so the season is mostly about maintaining spring-planted heat-lovers and growing only the toughest tropical crops. Use shade cloth, deep mulch, and consistent water; many gardeners take a partial break in July-August.
May 25 - Jul 24
One of the few crops that thrives in peak heat; keep picking pods young.
May 25 - Jul 24
Reliable through the hottest stretch; fixes nitrogen.
May 25 - Jul 24
Tropical pole bean that loves the worst of summer.
May 25 - Jun 23
Handles heat where snap beans fail.
May 25 - Jul 24
Thrives in heat as a spinach substitute.
May 25 - Jul 24
May 25 - Jun 23
May 25 - Jul 24
Heat-loving tropical vine; needs a sturdy trellis.
May 25 - Jun 23
Long-season vine; trellis and let some mature into sponges.
May 25 - Jul 24
Plant a sprouted whole fruit; vigorous perennial vine in zone 9.
May 25 - Jun 23
Keep succession-planting; thrives until first frost.
May 25 - Jul 24
Loves heat and humidity; can overwinter in zone 9.
May 25 - Jun 23
May 25 - Jul 24
Succession-sow for continuous blooms.
May 25 - Jul 24
One of the few annual flowers unfazed by the heat.
May 25 - Jul 24
Jul 28 - Sep 7
Set out fresh transplants in late summer for a fall crop once nights cool.
What to Plant in Fall
Fall is the second great planting season in zone 9: as the heat breaks in September-October, gardeners plant a huge succession of cool-season crops plus a quick round of warm-season vegetables before the December frost. Cooling nights bring far better fruit set and sweeter greens than spring.
Sep 8 - Oct 7
Last call for fall fruit; pick short-season varieties to beat first frost.
Sep 8 - Nov 7
Quick fall crop before frost.
Sep 8 - Oct 7
Fall crop sets cleaner fruit than the spring planting.
Sep 8 - Oct 7
Aug 8 - Oct 7
Needs to be sown early enough in fall to mature before frost.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Succession-sow every 2-3 weeks all fall and winter.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Direct sow; true spinach finally thrives in cool fall soil.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Flavor sweetens after light frost.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Productive cut-and-come-again all fall, winter, and into spring.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Classic zone 9 winter green; very cold-hardy here.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Oct 8 - Nov 7
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Cooling weather gives tight heads; one of the best fall crops.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Fall-sown carrots sweeten in cool soil; keep evenly moist for germination.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Oct 8 - Jan 7
Fast; succession-sow through winter.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Nov 8 - Jan 7
Plant short-day varieties for spring bulbing in the South.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Plant cloves in fall for early-summer harvest; softneck types do best.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Cool-season legume; trellis the climbing types.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Cool weather keeps it from bolting; grows beautifully all winter.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Cool-season flower that blooms through the mild winter.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Fall-set crowns produce a heavy crop the following spring in zone 9.
What to Plant in Winter
In zone 9 winter is a prime growing season, not a dormant one: with only light, occasional frosts, cool-season greens, roots, and brassicas grow steadily and gardeners harvest fresh produce all season. Keep light frost cloth on hand for the rare hard freeze, but most cool crops shrug off zone 9 winters.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Succession-sow; cool weather gives sweet, slow-growing heads.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Peak season; harvest outer leaves continuously.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Cold-hardy and at its sweetest in winter.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Withstands the occasional frost with ease.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Harvest the main head, then keep cutting side shoots through spring.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Winter-grown roots are exceptionally sweet.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Fast winter crop; succession-sow.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Thrives in the mild winter; trellis the vining types.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Cool-season legume that overwinters and fixes nitrogen.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Best season of the year; no bolting in cool weather.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Prefers cool, shady winter conditions.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Very cold-hardy salad green for winter harvest.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Blooms cheerfully through zone 9 winters.
Save a planting from your zone 9 calendar
Choose a crop and a date that suits your local conditions. Create a free account or sign in, then review and save your planting plan. Your saved plan is available on web, iOS, and Android.
Zone calendars are starting points, not local forecasts. Check local frost dates, soil temperature, and the crop's planting instructions before choosing a date. This does not change your profile's zone.
Full Planting Timing Table
Start-indoors, direct-sow, transplant, and harvest windows for every crop in zone 9b.
Vegetables
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | May 25 - Jul 24 | — | — | — |
| Arugula | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | — |
| Beet | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | — |
| Bitter Melon | — | May 25 - Jul 24 | — | — | Heat-loving tropical vine; needs a sturdy trellis. |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — |
| Broccoli | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Harvest the main head, then keep cutting side shoots through spring. |
| Broccoli Raab (Rapini) | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | — |
| Bush Bean | — | Sep 8 - Nov 7 | — | — | Quick fall crop before frost. |
| Cabbage | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — |
| Carrot | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Winter-grown roots are exceptionally sweet. |
| Cauliflower | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — |
| Chayote | — | — | May 25 - Jul 24 | — | Plant a sprouted whole fruit; vigorous perennial vine in zone 9. |
| Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | — |
| Collards | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Withstands the occasional frost with ease. |
| Corn (Sweet) | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | Block-plant for pollination; get it in early to beat earworm pressure. |
| Cowpea / Southern Pea | — | May 25 - Jul 24 | — | — | Reliable through the hottest stretch; fixes nitrogen. |
| Cucumber | — | Sep 8 - Oct 7 | — | — | Fall crop sets cleaner fruit than the spring planting. |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Eggplant | — | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | Loves the heat; one of the best summer performers here. |
| Endive / Escarole | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | — |
| Fava Bean | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | Cool-season legume that overwinters and fixes nitrogen. |
| Garden Pea | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Thrives in the mild winter; trellis the vining types. |
| Garlic | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Plant cloves in fall for early-summer harvest; softneck types do best. |
| Kale | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Cold-hardy and at its sweetest in winter. |
| Kohlrabi | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | — |
| Leek | — | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Succession-sow; cool weather gives sweet, slow-growing heads. |
| Lima Bean | — | May 25 - Jun 23 | — | — | Handles heat where snap beans fail. |
| Luffa | — | May 25 - Jun 23 | — | — | Long-season vine; trellis and let some mature into sponges. |
| Malabar Spinach | — | May 25 - Jul 24 | — | — | Thrives in heat as a spinach substitute. |
| Mizuna | — | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | — |
| Mustard Greens | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | — |
| Napa Cabbage | — | — | Oct 8 - Nov 7 | — | — |
| New Zealand Spinach | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Okra | — | May 25 - Jul 24 | — | — | One of the few crops that thrives in peak heat; keep picking pods young. |
| Onion (Bulb) | — | — | Nov 8 - Jan 7 | — | Plant short-day varieties for spring bulbing in the South. |
| Pac/Corn Salad (Mâche) | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | Very cold-hardy salad green for winter harvest. |
| Peanut | — | Mar 25 - May 24 | — | — | Needs the long warm season to mature; sandy soil ideal. |
| Pepper (Bell & Hot) | — | — | Feb 22 - Apr 3 | — | Wait for soil to warm; peppers sulk in cold ground. |
| Pole Bean | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Radicchio | — | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — |
| Radish | — | Oct 8 - Jan 7 | — | — | Fast winter crop; succession-sow. |
| Scallion / Green Onion | — | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | — |
| Snap / Snow Pea | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | — |
| Spinach | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Peak season; harvest outer leaves continuously. |
| Summer Squash | — | Sep 8 - Oct 7 | — | — | — |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Mar 25 - May 24 | — | Plant slips once nights stay above 60°F. |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Productive cut-and-come-again all fall, winter, and into spring. |
| Tatsoi | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | — |
| Tomatillo | — | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | Plant at least two for cross-pollination. |
| Tomato | — | — | Sep 8 - Oct 7 | — | Set out robust transplants right after last frost; choose heat-set varieties to keep fruiting as temps climb. |
| Turnip | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | — |
| Winter Squash | — | Aug 8 - Oct 7 | — | — | Needs to be sown early enough in fall to mature before frost. |
| Yardlong Bean | — | May 25 - Jul 24 | — | — | Tropical pole bean that loves the worst of summer. |
| Zucchini | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | Plant early to harvest before squash vine borer and powdery mildew peak. |
Herbs
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | — | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | Keep succession-planting; thrives until first frost. |
| Chervil | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | Prefers cool, shady winter conditions. |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Cool weather keeps it from bolting; grows beautifully all winter. |
| Dill | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | — |
| Lemongrass | — | — | May 25 - Jul 24 | — | Loves heat and humidity; can overwinter in zone 9. |
| Parsley | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — |
| Stevia | — | — | May 25 - Jun 23 | — | — |
Fruits
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | — | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — |
| Muskmelon / Cantaloupe | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Strawberry | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Fall-set crowns produce a heavy crop the following spring in zone 9. |
| Watermelon | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | Needs the full hot season to ripen; sow as early as soil allows. |
Flowers
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calendula | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | Cool-season flower that blooms through the mild winter. |
| Cosmos | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Marigold | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | Good companion for nematode suppression around tomatoes. |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 14 - Mar 24 | — | — | Plant early; fades once intense heat arrives. |
| Sunflower | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | Succession-sow for continuous blooms. |
| Zinnia | — | Feb 22 - Apr 23 | — | — | One of the few annual flowers unfazed by the heat. |
Zone 9a vs Zone 9b
USDA divides zone 9 into two half-zones 5°F apart. Zone 9b is the warmer one; here is how its frost dates compare with zone 9a and the zone 9 average.
| Zone 9a | Zone 9 | Zone 9b | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter low | 20 to 25°F | 20 to 30°F | 25 to 30°F |
| Last spring frost | Mar 7 | Feb 28 | Feb 21 |
| First fall frost | Nov 28 | Dec 5 | Dec 12 |
| Growing season | 266 days | 280 days | 294 days |
Not sure which half you're in? The half-zone comes from your area's average coldest winter night, so check the USDA map for your ZIP code. Your own microclimate — slope, shelter, pavement, elevation — can move dates as much as the half-zone does.
Zone 9b Growing Tips
- ✓ Flip the traditional calendar: in zone 9 the main cool-season garden runs fall through spring (October-March), and summer is the off-season for most vegetables. Plant brassicas, roots, greens, and peas in fall, not spring.
- ✓ Beat the heat for warm-season fruit set: get tomatoes and peppers transplanted by mid-March so they fruit before summer night temperatures above 75°F shut down pollination, then plant a second round in late July/August for a fall harvest.
- ✓ Use shade cloth (30-40%), heavy mulch, and drip irrigation to carry heat-tolerant crops like okra, southern peas, eggplant, and sweet potato through the punishing July-August stretch.
- ✓ Choose short-day onion varieties and plant onion sets/transplants and garlic cloves in fall (Oct-Nov) for late-spring/early-summer bulbing; long-day types will not bulb properly at this latitude.
- ✓ Keep frost cloth ready for the occasional hard freeze: most winter greens and brassicas are unfazed, but a rare 25°F night can damage tender seedlings and citrus, so protect on the few cold nights.
- ✓ Substitute heat-loving leafy greens (Malabar spinach, New Zealand spinach, leaf amaranth) for true spinach and lettuce in summer, since cool-season salads bolt almost instantly once the heat arrives.
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Sign Up FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What can I plant in spring in zone 9b?
In zone 9b, spring planting includes Tomato, Pepper (Bell & Hot), Eggplant, Tomatillo, Ground Cherry, Cucumber, Zucchini, Summer Squash, and more. See the spring section above for each crop's timing.
What is the last frost date for zone 9b?
The average last spring frost date for USDA zone 9b is Feb 21. The first fall frost typically arrives around Dec 12, giving a growing season of approximately 294 days.
When is the first frost in zone 9b?
The average first fall frost in USDA zone 9b arrives around Dec 12. That is an average, not a guarantee — the actual first frost varies by up to 2 weeks either way, so watch your local forecast from a few weeks before that date and have row covers ready for tender crops still in the ground.
What can I plant in fall in zone 9b?
Fall planting in zone 9b includes Tomato, Bush Bean, Cucumber, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, and more.
How long is the growing season in zone 9b?
Zone 9b has an average growing season of 294 days, from the last spring frost around Feb 21 to the first fall frost around Dec 12.
What is the difference between zone 9a and zone 9b?
Zone 9b is the warmer half of USDA zone 9, with average coldest winter nights of 25 to 30°F. Compared with the zone 9 averages (last frost Feb 28, first frost Dec 5), zone 9b's last spring frost is about a week earlier (Feb 21) and its first fall frost about a week later (Dec 12), so zone 9a gardeners plant about two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall than zone 9b.
What to plant right now
Month-specific guides for zone 9, hand-tuned to current frost dates and crop windows.
- What to Plant in October: Garlic Month, Cover Crops, and the Southern Fall Garden — What to plant in October: garlic goes in across zones 3-7, cover crops hit their deadline, and zones 8-10 plant the best garden of their year.
Learn more: When to plant vegetables by zone