Zone 9a planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 9a, the average last spring frost is around February 28 and the average first fall frost around December 1: a growing season of about 276 days. Here is when to start seeds, plant, and harvest 157 vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

Zones measure winter cold, not frost dates, so these are regional averages. Frost-tender crops wait until about March 14, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Amaranth (greens)—Mar 14 – Mar 28Apr 28 – Jul 7—
ArtichokeDec 13Feb 21 – Mar 7Jun 11 – Aug 6—
Arugula—Jan 31 – Feb 14Mar 7 – Apr 11Oct 13 – Oct 27
Asparagus—Jan 31 – Feb 14Feb 14 – Apr 11 (once established)—
Beet—Feb 7 – Feb 21Apr 3 – May 15Sep 30 – Oct 14
Bok choy—Feb 7 – Feb 21Mar 24 – Apr 21Oct 3 – Oct 17
BroccoliDec 27Feb 7 – Feb 21Apr 8 – May 13Sep 25 – Oct 9
Broccoli raab (rapini)—Jan 31 – Feb 14Mar 17 – Apr 14Oct 3 – Oct 17
Brussels sproutsJan 3Feb 14 – Feb 28May 25 – Jul 20—
CabbageDec 20Jan 31 – Feb 14Apr 11 – May 16Sep 22 – Oct 6
Carrot—Feb 7 – Feb 21Apr 18 – May 30Sep 22 – Oct 6
CauliflowerJan 3Feb 14 – Feb 28Apr 20 – May 18Sep 13 – Sep 27
CeleriacDec 27Mar 7 – Mar 21Jun 25 – Aug 6—
CeleryDec 27Mar 7 – Mar 21Jun 15 – Aug 10—
Cherry tomatoJan 24Mar 14 – Mar 28May 13 – Aug 19—
Collard greensDec 20Jan 31 – Feb 14Apr 1 – Jul 8Oct 16 – Oct 30
CucamelonJan 31Mar 14 – Mar 28May 23 – Aug 15—
Cucumber—Mar 14 – Mar 28May 8 – Jun 26—
Daikon radish—Feb 7 – Feb 21Apr 8 – May 13Sep 25 – Oct 9
Dry beans—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 17 – Jul 22—
Edamame—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 7 – Jul 5—
EggplantJan 17Mar 21 – Apr 4Jun 4 – Aug 13—
Endive / escarole—Feb 14 – Feb 28May 10 – Jun 14Aug 31 – Sep 14
Fava beans—Jan 17 – Jan 31Apr 12 – May 17—
Garlic—Nov 15 – Dec 6 (fall)May 25 – Jun 15 next year—
Green beans (bush)—Mar 14 – Mar 28May 8 – Jun 19—
Horseradish—Feb 7 – Feb 21Dec 1 – Jan 12—
Hot pepperJan 10Mar 14 – Mar 28May 23 – Aug 15—
KaleDec 20Jan 31 – Feb 14Mar 27 – Jun 19Oct 21 – Nov 4
Kohlrabi—Jan 31 – Feb 14Mar 22 – Apr 19Sep 28 – Oct 12
LeeksDec 6Feb 14 – Feb 28Jun 4 – Aug 13—
Lettuce—Jan 31 – Feb 14Mar 17 – Apr 28Oct 3 – Oct 17
Lima beans—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 2 – Jul 14—
Mâche (corn salad)—Jan 17 – Jan 31Mar 8 – Apr 19Nov 9 – Nov 23
Malabar spinachJan 31Mar 14 – Mar 28May 23 – Aug 15—
Mizuna—Jan 31 – Feb 14Mar 12 – Apr 23Oct 15 – Oct 29
Mustard greens—Jan 31 – Feb 14Mar 12 – Apr 23Oct 15 – Oct 29
Napa cabbageJan 10Feb 14 – Feb 28Apr 25 – May 23Sep 8 – Sep 22
Okra—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 20 – Aug 12—
Onion (sets)—Jan 24 – Feb 7May 4 – Jun 8—
Onion (transplants)Nov 22Jan 31 – Feb 14May 11 – Jun 15—
Parsnip—Feb 14 – Feb 28Jun 14 – Aug 9—
Peanuts—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jul 12 – Aug 9—
Peas—Jan 17 – Jan 31Mar 18 – Apr 22Sep 11 – Sep 25
PepperJan 10Mar 14 – Mar 28May 28 – Aug 20—
Pole beans—Mar 14 – Mar 28May 18 – Jul 27—
Popcorn—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 22 – Jul 20—
Potato—Feb 7 – Feb 21May 8 – Jun 12—
Pumpkin—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 27 – Aug 1—
RadicchioJan 10Feb 14 – Feb 28May 5 – Jun 9Sep 5 – Sep 19
Radish—Jan 24 – Feb 7Feb 18 – Mar 18Oct 23 – Nov 6
Rhubarb—Jan 31 – Feb 14Feb 28 – May 9 (once established)—
Rutabaga—Feb 14 – Feb 28May 15 – Jun 26Sep 2 – Sep 16
Scallions—Jan 31 – Feb 14Apr 1 – Jun 10Sep 25 – Oct 9
Shallots—Jan 31 – Feb 14May 11 – Jun 15—
Snap peas—Jan 17 – Jan 31Mar 23 – Apr 27Sep 6 – Sep 20
Sorrel—Jan 31 – Feb 14Apr 1 – Sep 2—
Southern peas (cowpeas)—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 30 – Jul 11—
Spinach—Jan 17 – Jan 31Feb 26 – Apr 9Oct 22 – Nov 5
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)—Feb 14 – Feb 28Dec 1 – Feb 9—
Sweet corn—Mar 14 – Mar 28May 28 – Jun 25—
Sweet potatoFeb 7Mar 21 – Apr 4Jun 29 – Jul 27—
Swiss chard—Feb 14 – Feb 28Apr 10 – Jul 31Sep 30 – Oct 14
Tatsoi—Jan 31 – Feb 14Mar 17 – Apr 28Oct 17 – Oct 31
TomatilloJan 24Mar 14 – Mar 28May 28 – Aug 6—
TomatoJan 24Mar 14 – Mar 28May 23 – Aug 15—
Turnip—Jan 31 – Feb 14Mar 22 – Apr 26Oct 5 – Oct 19
Winter squash—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 17 – Jul 22—
Zucchini / Summer squash—Mar 14 – Mar 28May 3 – Jul 12—

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Feb 7 – Feb 21Sep 22 – Nov 10 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Feb 7 – Feb 21May 16 – Jun 6 (once established)—
Blackberry—Feb 7 – Feb 21May 16 – Jun 20 (once established)—
Blueberry—Feb 7 – Feb 21May 2 – Jun 13 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—Mar 21 – Apr 4Jun 9 – Jul 14—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Feb 7 – Feb 21Apr 25 – May 16 (once established)—
Currant—Jan 31 – Feb 14May 9 – Jun 6 (once established)—
Elderberry—Feb 7 – Feb 21Jun 13 – Jul 18 (once established)—
Fig—Mar 7 – Mar 21Sep 22 – Nov 17 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Jan 31 – Feb 14May 9 – Jun 6 (once established)—
Grape—Feb 7 – Feb 21Oct 6 – Nov 17 (once established)—
Ground cherryJan 24Mar 14 – Mar 28May 23 – Aug 1—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Jan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 9 (once established)—
Honeydew—Mar 21 – Apr 4Jun 24 – Jul 29—
Meyer lemon—Mar 21 – Apr 4Nov 3 – Jan 26 (once established)—
Peach tree—Feb 7 – Feb 21Jun 6 – Jul 18 (once established)—
Pear tree—Feb 7 – Feb 21Sep 8 – Oct 27 (once established)—
Plum tree—Feb 7 – Feb 21Jun 6 – Jul 4 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Feb 7 – Feb 21Oct 20 – Dec 1—
Raspberry (summer)—Feb 7 – Feb 21May 2 – Jun 6 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Feb 7 – Feb 21May 8 – Aug 14—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Feb 7 – Feb 21Mar 28 – Apr 25 (once established)—
Watermelon—Mar 21 – Apr 4Jun 14 – Jul 19—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilJan 31Mar 14 – Mar 28Apr 13 – Jul 20—
Borage—Feb 28 – Mar 14Apr 24 – Jul 17—
Cannabis auto—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 2 – Jun 30Aug 15 – Aug 29
Cannabis regularFeb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28Aug 6 – Sep 10—
CatnipJan 3Feb 14 – Feb 28Apr 15 – Aug 19—
Chamomile—Feb 14 – Feb 28Apr 15 – Jun 24—
Chervil—Feb 7 – Feb 21Mar 29 – May 10Sep 28 – Oct 12
ChivesDec 13Feb 7 – Feb 21Apr 8 – Sep 9—
Cilantro—Feb 7 – Feb 21Mar 24 – Apr 28Oct 3 – Oct 17
Dill—Mar 14 – Mar 28Apr 28 – Jun 23—
Fennel (bulb)—Feb 28 – Mar 14May 19 – Jun 23Aug 29 – Sep 12
Garlic chivesDec 20Feb 14 – Feb 28May 5 – Sep 8—
LavenderDec 27Mar 7 – Mar 21Jun 5 – Jul 17—
Lemon balmJan 3Feb 28 – Mar 14Apr 29 – Sep 2—
Lemongrass—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 12 – Aug 21—
LovageDec 20Feb 14 – Feb 28May 5 – Sep 8—
MarjoramJan 10Mar 7 – Mar 21May 16 – Aug 22—
Mint—Feb 21 – Mar 7Mar 23 – Aug 24—
OreganoJan 3Feb 28 – Mar 14Apr 29 – Sep 2—
ParsleyDec 20Feb 14 – Feb 28Apr 25 – Aug 29—
Rosemary—Mar 7 – Mar 21Apr 21 – Sep 22—
SageJan 3Feb 28 – Mar 14May 14 – Sep 17—
SteviaJan 17Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 12 – Aug 21—
Summer savory—Mar 14 – Mar 28May 13 – Jul 22—
Tarragon (French)—Mar 7 – Mar 21May 6 – Aug 12—
Thai basilJan 31Mar 14 – Mar 28May 13 – Aug 19—
ThymeJan 3Feb 28 – Mar 14May 9 – Sep 12—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Jan 31 – Feb 14Apr 6 – Jun 15—
Begonia—Mar 14 – Mar 28Apr 28 – Nov 10—
Black-eyed SusanDec 27Feb 21 – Mar 7May 22 – Aug 14—
Calendula—Feb 14 – Feb 28Apr 5 – Jul 12Sep 28 – Oct 12
ColeusJan 3Mar 14 – Mar 28May 3 – Nov 15—
Coneflower (echinacea)—Feb 28 – Mar 14May 29 – Aug 21—
Cosmos—Mar 14 – Mar 28May 28 – Aug 20—
Daffodil—Nov 3 – Dec 8 (fall)Jan 31 – Feb 28 next year—
Dahlia—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 22 – Aug 31—
Daylily—Feb 28 – Mar 14May 9 – Jul 4—
Geranium—Mar 14 – Mar 28Apr 28 – Nov 10—
Gladiolus—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 2 – Jul 7—
Hosta—Feb 28 – Mar 14May 9 – Jul 4—
ImpatiensJan 3Mar 14 – Mar 28May 3 – Nov 15—
MarigoldJan 31Mar 14 – Mar 28May 3 – Aug 23—
Milkweed—Mar 7 – Mar 21Jun 5 – Aug 14—
Nasturtium—Mar 14 – Mar 28May 8 – Aug 14—
Pansy / violaNov 22Jan 31 – Feb 14Mar 17 – May 26Oct 3 – Oct 17
Peony—Feb 14 – Feb 28Apr 4 – Apr 25 (once established)—
PetuniaDec 27Mar 7 – Mar 21Apr 26 – Nov 8—
Phacelia—Feb 14 – Feb 28Mar 31 – May 26—
Rose—Feb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Aug 1—
Salvia (ornamental)Dec 27Mar 7 – Mar 21May 16 – Nov 28—
SnapdragonDec 20Feb 14 – Feb 28May 5 – Jul 28—
StrawflowerJan 31Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 12 – Sep 4—
Sunflower—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 2 – Jul 7—
Sweet alyssumJan 10Feb 21 – Mar 7Apr 12 – Aug 16—
Sweet pea (flower)—Jan 17 – Jan 31Apr 2 – May 28—
Tulip—Nov 10 – Dec 15 (fall)Feb 21 – Mar 28 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Dec 27Mar 21 – Apr 4May 20 – Dec 1—
Zinnia—Mar 14 – Mar 28May 23 – Aug 15—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Oct 13 – Nov 3 (fall)Mar 21 – Apr 18 next year—
Buckwheat—Mar 14 – Mar 28Apr 18 – May 16—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Oct 27 – Dec 8 (fall)Mar 21 – Apr 18 next year—
Crimson clover—Jan 31 – Feb 14Apr 1 – May 6Oct 2 – Oct 16
Hairy vetch—Oct 13 – Nov 10 (fall)Apr 4 – May 2 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Jan 31 – Feb 14Apr 1 – May 6Sep 25 – Oct 9
White clover—Feb 7 – Feb 21Apr 18 – Jun 27Aug 25 – Sep 8

Frost dates in zone 9a

Average last spring frost
February 28
Safe for frost-tender plants
March 14
Average first fall frost
December 1
Growing season
About 276 days

Your own dates can be a few weeks either side, depending on elevation, nearby water, and whether you're in a city or a low frost pocket.

States with zone 9a

Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington

Month by month

January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

Other zones

Zone 8b · Zone 9b · All zones and states