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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.

Good — plant now Risky — possible with care Off-season — wait

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Plus a short what-to-plant-now note for Zone 9B each month.

Zone 9B monthly planting guide — status and reason per crop and month
CropJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Cool-season crops
LettuceGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
SpinachGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
KaleGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
Swiss ChardGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
ArugulaGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
CarrotGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
RadishGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
BeetGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
BroccoliGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
CabbageGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
CauliflowerGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
PeasGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
OnionGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
PotatoGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
CilantroGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
ParsleyGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
Fall-planted bulbs
GarlicRisky — possible with careOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
Warm-season crops
TomatoOff-season — waitRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — 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 nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
PepperOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — 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 nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
EggplantOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
BasilOff-season — waitRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
ZucchiniOff-season — waitRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
CucumberOff-season — waitRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — 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 nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
BeanOff-season — waitRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — 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 nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
CornOff-season — waitRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — 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 nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
PumpkinOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
SunflowerOff-season — waitRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
Heat lovers
OkraOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
Sweet PotatoOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
WatermelonOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
CantaloupeOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — waitOff-season — wait
Perennial herbs
RosemaryGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
ThymeGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
OreganoGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant now
ChivesGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — plant nowRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careRisky — possible with careGood — plant nowGood — plant nowGood — 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.

Zone 9B seed-starting guide — sowing method and indoor start date per crop
CropHow to startStart seeds indoors
OnionStart indoors, then transplantor plant sets for a shortcut~Dec 2 (10 wks before last frost)
RosemaryStart indoors, then transplantpainfully slow from seed — a nursery plant is the honest shortcut~Dec 2 (10 wks before last frost)
EggplantStart indoors, then transplant~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost)
OreganoStart indoors, then transplant~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost)
PepperStart indoors, then transplant~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost)
ThymeStart indoors, then transplant~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost)
Sweet PotatoStart indoors, then transplantgrown from slips (sprouted tubers), not seed~Dec 30 (6 wks before last frost)
TomatoStart indoors, then transplant~Dec 30 (6 wks before last frost)
BroccoliStart indoors, then transplant~Jan 6 (5 wks before last frost)
CabbageStart indoors, then transplant~Jan 6 (5 wks before last frost)
CauliflowerStart indoors, then transplant~Jan 6 (5 wks before last frost)
ChivesEither works~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost)
ParsleyEither worksgermination takes 2–3 weeks — be patient~Dec 16 (8 wks before last frost)
KaleEither works~Jan 6 (5 wks before last frost)
BasilEither works~Jan 13 (4 wks before last frost)
LettuceEither works~Jan 13 (4 wks before last frost)
OkraEither works~Jan 13 (4 wks before last frost)
Swiss ChardEither works~Jan 13 (4 wks before last frost)
CantaloupeEither worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance~Jan 20 (3 wks before last frost)
CucumberEither worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance~Jan 20 (3 wks before last frost)
PumpkinEither worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance~Jan 20 (3 wks before last frost)
WatermelonEither worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance~Jan 20 (3 wks before last frost)
ZucchiniEither worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance~Jan 20 (3 wks before last frost)
ArugulaDirect sow in the bed
BeanDirect sow in the bedrots in cold, wet soil — wait for warmth
BeetDirect sow in the bed
CarrotDirect sow in the bedtaproot — never transplants well
CilantroDirect sow in the bedtaproot + quick to bolt — sow in place
CornDirect sow in the bed
GarlicDirect sow in the bedplant cloves in fall
PeasDirect sow in the bed
PotatoDirect sow in the bedfrom seed potatoes, not seed
RadishDirect sow in the bed
SpinachDirect sow in the bedresents transplanting — sow where it grows
SunflowerDirect 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.