Zone 9a planting calendar
In zone 9a the last spring frost usually comes around March 2 and the first fall frost around November 26: about 269 frost-free days. Here is what to do each month.
Typical frost dates
- Last spring frost
- March 2 Middle half of the zone: Feb 25 – Mar 11. Over by Mar 25 in 9 of 10 years.
- First fall frost
- November 26 Middle half of the zone: Nov 20 – Dec 3. After Nov 6 in 9 of 10 years.
- Frost-free season
- about 269 days
- Coldest winter nights
- 20 to 25 °F
- ZIP codes in the zone
- 2,199
Most of its weather stations are in Texas, California, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia and Oregon and 7 more.
Places in zone 9a
Zones measure winter cold, so frost dates still vary from place to place. A few weather stations across the zone:
| Place | State | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barstow | California | Feb 22 | Nov 23 | 271 |
| Arizona City | Arizona | Feb 28 | Nov 21 | 266 |
| De Ridder | Louisiana | Mar 1 | Nov 25 | 269 |
| Livingston | Texas | Mar 1 | Nov 24 | 269 |
| Seattle Tacoma | Washington | Mar 2 | Nov 23 | 266 |
| Cross City | Florida | Mar 5 | Nov 26 | 268 |
| Fort Stewart | Georgia | Mar 5 | Nov 29 | 269 |
| Lookout Point | Oregon | Mar 7 | Nov 27 | 263 |
Month by month in zone 9a
Every job for all 60 crops, in the month it starts.
January
Start indoors
- Tomatoes Jan 5–19
- Tomatillos Jan 5–19
- Cabbage Jan 5–19
- Broccoli Jan 5–19
- Cauliflower Jan 5–19
- Chives Jan 5–19
- Basil Jan 19 – Feb 2
- Marigolds Jan 19 – Feb 2
February
Sow outside
- Shallots (shallot sets) Feb 2–16
- Collard greens Feb 2–23
- Kohlrabi Feb 2–23
- Turnips Feb 2–23
- Asparagus (asparagus crowns) Feb 2–23
- Rhubarb (rhubarb crowns) Feb 2–23
- Mustard greens Feb 2 – Mar 2
- Potatoes (seed potatoes) Feb 2 – Mar 2
- Lettuce Feb 2 – Mar 16
- Green onions Feb 2 – Mar 16
- Bok choy Feb 9 – Mar 2
- Parsnips Feb 9 – Mar 9
- Carrots Feb 9 – Mar 16
- Beets Feb 9 – Mar 16
- Cilantro Feb 16 – Mar 16
- Swiss chard Feb 16 – Mar 23
- Dill Feb 23 – Mar 23
Plant out
March
Sow outside
- Sunflowers Mar 2–30
- Zucchini Mar 9–23
- Zinnias Mar 9–23
- Nasturtiums Mar 9–23
- Cosmos Mar 9–23
- Cucumbers Mar 9–30
- Winter squash Mar 9–30
- Pumpkins Mar 9–30
- Green beans Mar 9–30
- Sweet corn Mar 9–30
- Watermelons Mar 16–30
- Cantaloupes Mar 16–30
- Okra Mar 16 – Apr 6
Plant out
- Rosemary Mar 2–23
- Lavender Mar 2–23
- Tomatoes Mar 9–23
- Tomatillos Mar 9–23
- Celery Mar 9–23
- Marigolds Mar 9–23
- Peppers Mar 16–30
- Hot peppers Mar 16–30
- Eggplant Mar 16–30
- Basil Mar 16–30
- Sweet potatoes (sweet potato slips) Mar 23 – Apr 13
Start picking
- Rhubarb Mar 2 – Apr 27
- Mustard greens Mar 4 – Apr 16
- Chives Mar 11 – Aug 26
- Turnips Mar 14 – Apr 24
- Lettuce Mar 14 – May 15
- Peas Mar 15 – Apr 20
- Kale Mar 15 – Aug 16
- Mint Mar 18 – Sep 2
- Kohlrabi Mar 19 – Apr 24
- Bok choy Mar 21 – Apr 26
- Collard greens Mar 29 – Jul 19
- Strawberries Mar 30 – Apr 27
- Beets Mar 31 – May 15
April
Start picking
- Cilantro Apr 2 – May 25
- Parsley Apr 2 – Sep 17
- Thyme Apr 2 – Sep 17
- Cabbage Apr 3 – May 17
- Green onions Apr 3 – May 30
- Dill Apr 4 – May 30
- Broccoli Apr 5 – May 21
- Swiss chard Apr 7 – Sep 22
- Marigolds (in bloom) Apr 8 – Aug 26
- Oregano Apr 9 – Aug 27
- Carrots Apr 10 – Jun 4
- Cauliflower Apr 12 – May 21
- Basil Apr 15 – Aug 19
- Potatoes Apr 18 – Jun 30
- Zucchini Apr 23 – Jul 2
- Nasturtiums (in bloom) Apr 23 – Aug 13
- Sage Apr 24 – Sep 25
- Green beans Apr 28 – Jun 9
- Cucumbers Apr 28 – Jun 23
May
Start picking
- Lavender May 1 – Jun 26
- Rosemary May 1 – Oct 16
- Shallots May 3 – Jun 6
- Onions May 3 – Jun 16
- Garlic May 4–25
- Okra May 5 – Aug 11
- Tomatoes May 8 – Aug 28
- Zinnias (in bloom) May 8 – Aug 28
- Cosmos (in bloom) May 8 – Aug 28
- Leeks May 10 – Sep 27
- Sunflowers (in bloom) May 11 – Jul 8
- Sweet corn May 13 – Jun 28
- Tomatillos May 13 – Jul 22
- Peppers May 15 – Aug 21
- Eggplant May 20 – Aug 12
- Cantaloupes May 25 – Jun 29
- Watermelons May 25 – Jul 8
- Hot peppers May 25 – Aug 31
- Winter squash May 28 – Aug 20
June
Start picking
- Celery Jun 2 – Jul 28
- Pumpkins Jun 7 – Aug 16
- Sweet potatoes Jun 21 – Aug 16
July
Sow for fall
- Brussels sprouts Jul 2–23
- Cabbage Jul 30 – Aug 27
August
Sow for fall
- Cauliflower Aug 6–27
- Broccoli Aug 6 – Sep 3
- Cucumbers Aug 27 – Sep 10
- Green beans Aug 27 – Sep 10
September
Sow for fall
- Zucchini Sep 3–17
- Peas Sep 3–17
- Carrots Sep 3–24
- Beets Sep 3–24
- Kale Sep 3 – Oct 1
- Collard greens Sep 3 – Oct 1
- Green onions Sep 10–24
- Cilantro Sep 17 – Oct 1
- Lettuce Sep 17 – Oct 8
- Kohlrabi Sep 17 – Oct 8
- Bok choy Sep 17 – Oct 8
- Spinach Sep 17 – Oct 15
- Turnips Sep 17 – Oct 15
- Arugula Sep 24 – Oct 22
- Mustard greens Sep 24 – Oct 22
October
Sow for fall
- Radishes Oct 8–29
Start picking
- Cucumbers Oct 16 – Nov 26
- Green beans Oct 16 – Nov 26
- Zucchini Oct 18 – Nov 26
- Beets Oct 23 – Nov 27
- Arugula Oct 24 – Dec 1
- Mustard greens Oct 24 – Dec 6
- Cabbage Oct 26 – Dec 23
- Bok choy Oct 27 – Dec 2
- Spinach Oct 27 – Dec 4
- Lettuce Oct 27 – Dec 8
- Turnips Oct 27 – Dec 14
- Peas Oct 28 – Nov 26
- Cauliflower Oct 28 – Dec 10
- Broccoli Oct 28 – Dec 20
- Kale Oct 28 – Jan 7
- Collard greens Oct 28 – Jan 7
- Brussels sprouts Oct 30 – Jan 7
November
Sow for fall
- Garlic (garlic cloves) Nov 12 – Dec 17