Zone 9b planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 9b, the average last spring frost is around February 15 and the average first fall frost around December 10: a growing season of about 298 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 1, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

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

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Jan 25 – Feb 8Oct 1 – Nov 19 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Jan 25 – Feb 8May 3 – May 24 (once established)—
Blackberry—Jan 25 – Feb 8May 3 – Jun 7 (once established)—
Blueberry—Jan 25 – Feb 8Apr 19 – May 31 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—Mar 8 – Mar 22May 27 – Jul 1—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Jan 25 – Feb 8Apr 12 – May 3 (once established)—
Currant—Jan 18 – Feb 1Apr 26 – May 24 (once established)—
Elderberry—Jan 25 – Feb 8May 31 – Jul 5 (once established)—
Fig—Feb 22 – Mar 8Oct 1 – Nov 26 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Jan 18 – Feb 1Apr 26 – May 24 (once established)—
Grape—Jan 25 – Feb 8Oct 15 – Nov 26 (once established)—
Ground cherryJan 11Mar 1 – Mar 15May 10 – Jul 19—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Jan 18 – Feb 1Apr 5 – Apr 26 (once established)—
Honeydew—Mar 8 – Mar 22Jun 11 – Jul 16—
Meyer lemon—Mar 8 – Mar 22Nov 12 – Feb 4 (once established)—
Peach tree—Jan 25 – Feb 8May 24 – Jul 5 (once established)—
Pear tree—Jan 25 – Feb 8Sep 17 – Nov 5 (once established)—
Plum tree—Jan 25 – Feb 8May 24 – Jun 21 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Jan 25 – Feb 8Oct 29 – Dec 10—
Raspberry (summer)—Jan 25 – Feb 8Apr 19 – May 24 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Jan 25 – Feb 8Apr 25 – Aug 1—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Jan 25 – Feb 8Mar 15 – Apr 12 (once established)—
Watermelon—Mar 8 – Mar 22Jun 1 – Jul 6—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilJan 18Mar 1 – Mar 15Mar 31 – Jul 7—
Borage—Feb 15 – Mar 1Apr 11 – Jul 4—
Cannabis auto—Mar 1 – Mar 15May 20 – Jun 17Aug 24 – Sep 7
Cannabis regularFeb 1Mar 1 – Mar 15Jul 24 – Aug 28—
CatnipDec 21Feb 1 – Feb 15Apr 2 – Aug 6—
Chamomile—Feb 1 – Feb 15Apr 2 – Jun 11—
Chervil—Jan 25 – Feb 8Mar 16 – Apr 27Oct 7 – Oct 21
ChivesNov 30Jan 25 – Feb 8Mar 26 – Aug 27—
Cilantro—Jan 25 – Feb 8Mar 11 – Apr 15Oct 12 – Oct 26
Dill—Mar 1 – Mar 15Apr 15 – Jun 10—
Fennel (bulb)—Feb 15 – Mar 1May 6 – Jun 10Sep 7 – Sep 21
Garlic chivesDec 7Feb 1 – Feb 15Apr 22 – Aug 26—
LavenderDec 14Feb 22 – Mar 8May 23 – Jul 4—
Lemon balmDec 21Feb 15 – Mar 1Apr 16 – Aug 20—
Lemongrass—Mar 1 – Mar 15May 30 – Aug 8—
LovageDec 7Feb 1 – Feb 15Apr 22 – Aug 26—
MarjoramDec 28Feb 22 – Mar 8May 3 – Aug 9—
Mint—Feb 8 – Feb 22Mar 10 – Aug 11—
OreganoDec 21Feb 15 – Mar 1Apr 16 – Aug 20—
ParsleyDec 7Feb 1 – Feb 15Apr 12 – Aug 16—
Rosemary—Feb 22 – Mar 8Apr 8 – Sep 9—
SageDec 21Feb 15 – Mar 1May 1 – Sep 4—
SteviaJan 4Mar 1 – Mar 15May 30 – Aug 8—
Summer savory—Mar 1 – Mar 15Apr 30 – Jul 9—
Tarragon (French)—Feb 22 – Mar 8Apr 23 – Jul 30—
Thai basilJan 18Mar 1 – Mar 15Apr 30 – Aug 6—
ThymeDec 21Feb 15 – Mar 1Apr 26 – Aug 30—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Jan 18 – Feb 1Mar 24 – Jun 2—
Begonia—Mar 1 – Mar 15Apr 15 – Oct 28—
Black-eyed SusanDec 14Feb 8 – Feb 22May 9 – Aug 1—
Calendula—Feb 1 – Feb 15Mar 23 – Jun 29Oct 7 – Oct 21
ColeusDec 21Mar 1 – Mar 15Apr 20 – Nov 2—
Coneflower (echinacea)—Feb 15 – Mar 1May 16 – Aug 8—
Cosmos—Mar 1 – Mar 15May 15 – Aug 7—
Daffodil—Nov 12 – Dec 17 (fall)Jan 18 – Feb 15 next year—
Dahlia—Mar 1 – Mar 15Jun 9 – Aug 18—
Daylily—Feb 15 – Mar 1Apr 26 – Jun 21—
Geranium—Mar 1 – Mar 15Apr 15 – Oct 28—
Gladiolus—Mar 1 – Mar 15May 20 – Jun 24—
Hosta—Feb 15 – Mar 1Apr 26 – Jun 21—
ImpatiensDec 21Mar 1 – Mar 15Apr 20 – Nov 2—
MarigoldJan 18Mar 1 – Mar 15Apr 20 – Aug 10—
Milkweed—Feb 22 – Mar 8May 23 – Aug 1—
Nasturtium—Mar 1 – Mar 15Apr 25 – Aug 1—
Pansy / violaNov 9Jan 18 – Feb 1Mar 4 – May 13Oct 12 – Oct 26
Peony—Feb 1 – Feb 15Mar 22 – Apr 12 (once established)—
PetuniaDec 14Feb 22 – Mar 8Apr 13 – Oct 26—
Phacelia—Feb 1 – Feb 15Mar 18 – May 13—
Rose—Feb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Jul 19—
Salvia (ornamental)Dec 14Feb 22 – Mar 8May 3 – Nov 15—
SnapdragonDec 7Feb 1 – Feb 15Apr 22 – Jul 15—
StrawflowerJan 18Mar 1 – Mar 15May 30 – Aug 22—
Sunflower—Mar 1 – Mar 15May 20 – Jun 24—
Sweet alyssumDec 28Feb 8 – Feb 22Mar 30 – Aug 3—
Sweet pea (flower)—Jan 4 – Jan 18Mar 20 – May 15—
Tulip—Nov 19 – Dec 24 (fall)Feb 8 – Mar 15 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Dec 14Mar 8 – Mar 22May 7 – Nov 19—
Zinnia—Mar 1 – Mar 15May 10 – Aug 2—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Oct 22 – Nov 12 (fall)Mar 8 – Apr 5 next year—
Buckwheat—Mar 1 – Mar 15Apr 5 – May 3—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Nov 5 – Dec 17 (fall)Mar 8 – Apr 5 next year—
Crimson clover—Jan 18 – Feb 1Mar 19 – Apr 23Oct 11 – Oct 25
Hairy vetch—Oct 22 – Nov 19 (fall)Mar 22 – Apr 19 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Jan 18 – Feb 1Mar 19 – Apr 23Oct 4 – Oct 18
White clover—Jan 25 – Feb 8Apr 5 – Jun 14Sep 3 – Sep 17

Frost dates in zone 9b

Average last spring frost
February 15
Safe for frost-tender plants
March 1
Average first fall frost
December 10
Growing season
About 298 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 9b

Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, Texas

Month by month

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

Other zones

Zone 9a · Zone 10a · All zones and states