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Zone 9B Vegetable Planting Calendar
When can you plant in Zone 9B? In Zone 9B, outdoor sowing opens with cool-season crops like Lettuce and Spinach in January, and warm-season crops like Tomato follow after the ~February 10 last frost. The season runs about 298 frost-free days, until ~December 5. The calendar below scores all 35 crops month by month.
Scored per crop from your zone's frost dates, each crop's days-to-maturity, and typical soil temperatures — honestly, including when not to plant.
A zone caveat: USDA zones reflect winter lows, not summer heat — this calendar is a zone-level guide. For timing tuned to your exact zip code, sun, and soil, get your free AI garden plan.
- Last frost (50/50 date)
- ~February 10
- First frost (50/50 date)
- ~December 5
A single frost date is a coin flip dressed up as a fact: these are the 50/50 dates, and about half of years see frost past them. Across 4,330 NOAA stations, frost odds typically stay near 1 in 3 for about a week past the date and don't drop below 1 in 10 until roughly 16 days past it — cautious growers wait those two-plus weeks; gamblers plant on the date and keep row cover handy. The free AI plan reads the real percentile dates for your zip and lets you pick your risk.
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Plus a short what-to-plant-now note for Zone 9B each month.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool-season crops | ||||||||||||
| Lettuce | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Spinach | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Kale | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Swiss Chard | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Arugula | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Carrot | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Radish | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Beet | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Broccoli | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Cabbage | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Cauliflower | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Peas | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Onion | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Potato | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Cilantro | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Parsley | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Fall-planted bulbs | ||||||||||||
| Garlic | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Warm-season crops | ||||||||||||
| Tomato | Off-season — wait | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care; Most of this zone sees 95°F+ midsummer heat — blossoms drop and fruit set stalls. Coastal gardeners with mild summers can proceed. | Risky — possible with care; Most of this zone sees 95°F+ midsummer heat — blossoms drop and fruit set stalls. Coastal gardeners with mild summers can proceed. | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Pepper | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care; Most of this zone sees 95°F+ midsummer heat — blossoms drop and fruit set stalls. Coastal gardeners with mild summers can proceed. | Risky — possible with care; Most of this zone sees 95°F+ midsummer heat — blossoms drop and fruit set stalls. Coastal gardeners with mild summers can proceed. | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Eggplant | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Basil | Off-season — wait | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Zucchini | Off-season — wait | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Cucumber | Off-season — wait | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care; Most of this zone sees 95°F+ midsummer heat — blossoms drop and fruit set stalls. Coastal gardeners with mild summers can proceed. | Risky — possible with care; Most of this zone sees 95°F+ midsummer heat — blossoms drop and fruit set stalls. Coastal gardeners with mild summers can proceed. | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Bean | Off-season — wait | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care; Most of this zone sees 95°F+ midsummer heat — blossoms drop and fruit set stalls. Coastal gardeners with mild summers can proceed. | Risky — possible with care; Most of this zone sees 95°F+ midsummer heat — blossoms drop and fruit set stalls. Coastal gardeners with mild summers can proceed. | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Corn | Off-season — wait | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care; Most of this zone sees 95°F+ midsummer heat — blossoms drop and fruit set stalls. Coastal gardeners with mild summers can proceed. | Risky — possible with care; Most of this zone sees 95°F+ midsummer heat — blossoms drop and fruit set stalls. Coastal gardeners with mild summers can proceed. | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Pumpkin | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Sunflower | Off-season — wait | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Heat lovers | ||||||||||||
| Okra | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Sweet Potato | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Watermelon | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Cantaloupe | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Perennial herbs | ||||||||||||
| Rosemary | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Thyme | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Oregano | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
| Chives | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Risky — possible with care | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now |
When to Start Seeds Indoors vs. Direct Sow in Zone 9B
In Zone 9B, start Onion, Rosemary, Eggplant and other transplants indoors 5–10 weeks before your ~February 10 last frost, then set them out once it passes. Arugula, Bean, Beet and the other direct-sow crops go straight into the bed. Exact indoor start dates for every crop are below.
| Crop | How to start | Start seeds indoors |
|---|---|---|
| Onion | Start indoors, then transplantor plant sets for a shortcut | ~Dec 2 (10 wks before last frost) |
| Rosemary | Start indoors, then transplantpainfully slow from seed — a nursery plant is the honest shortcut | ~Dec 2 (10 wks before last frost) |
| Eggplant | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Oregano | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Pepper | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Thyme | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Sweet Potato | Start indoors, then transplantgrown from slips (sprouted tubers), not seed | ~Dec 30 (6 wks before last frost) |
| Tomato | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Dec 30 (6 wks before last frost) |
| Broccoli | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Jan 6 (5 wks before last frost) |
| Cabbage | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Jan 6 (5 wks before last frost) |
| Cauliflower | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Jan 6 (5 wks before last frost) |
| Chives | Either works | ~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Parsley | Either worksgermination takes 2–3 weeks — be patient | ~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Kale | Either works | ~Jan 6 (5 wks before last frost) |
| Basil | Either works | ~Jan 13 (4 wks before last frost) |
| Lettuce | Either works | ~Jan 13 (4 wks before last frost) |
| Okra | Either works | ~Jan 13 (4 wks before last frost) |
| Swiss Chard | Either works | ~Jan 13 (4 wks before last frost) |
| Cantaloupe | Either worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance | ~Jan 20 (3 wks before last frost) |
| Cucumber | Either worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance | ~Jan 20 (3 wks before last frost) |
| Pumpkin | Either worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance | ~Jan 20 (3 wks before last frost) |
| Watermelon | Either worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance | ~Jan 20 (3 wks before last frost) |
| Zucchini | Either worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance | ~Jan 20 (3 wks before last frost) |
| Arugula | Direct sow in the bed | — |
| Bean | Direct sow in the bedrots in cold, wet soil — wait for warmth | — |
| Beet | Direct sow in the bed | — |
| Carrot | Direct sow in the bedtaproot — never transplants well | — |
| Cilantro | Direct sow in the bedtaproot + quick to bolt — sow in place | — |
| Corn | Direct sow in the bed | — |
| Garlic | Direct sow in the bedplant cloves in fall | — |
| Peas | Direct sow in the bed | — |
| Potato | Direct sow in the bedfrom seed potatoes, not seed | — |
| Radish | Direct sow in the bed | — |
| Spinach | Direct sow in the bedresents transplanting — sow where it grows | — |
| Sunflower | Direct sow in the bedtaproot — sow in place | — |
Planting a fall garden? Count the indoor weeks back from your transplant date instead of the spring frost — the free AI plan's prep runway computes that per plant, including hardening-off days.
Zone 9B Planting FAQ
When is the last frost in Zone 9B?
Around February 10 — and that's the 50/50 date, not a guarantee: about half of years see frost after it. Cautious growers wait roughly two extra weeks; gamblers plant on the date and keep row cover handy.
When is the first fall frost in Zone 9B?
Around December 5 on average. Count backward from it when planning fall crops: a 70-day crop needs to be in the ground at least 10 weeks earlier, plus a buffer for shortening days.
When should I start seeds indoors in Zone 9B?
It depends on the crop's lead time: peppers ~Dec 16, tomatos ~Dec 30, broccolis ~Jan 6 — generally 5–10 weeks before the ~February 10 last frost. The seed-starting table on this page lists every crop.
How long is the growing season in Zone 9B?
Roughly 298 frost-free days, from about February 10 to December 5. Crops whose days-to-maturity fit comfortably inside that window are the reliable ones — the calendar above scores exactly that.
What vegetables can you grow in Zone 9B?
This calendar tracks 35 crops for Zone 9B — Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard, and more — with honest month-by-month verdicts including when NOT to plant. For a layout tuned to your exact zip code and bed size, the free AI plan does the placing for you.
Get this calendar in your inbox
Plus a short what-to-plant-now note for Zone 9B each month.