Gardening in zone 9b
In USDA zone 9b, the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30°F. The typical last spring frost is around Feb 2 and the first fall frost around Dec 9.
A zone tells you about winter cold, not about timing: across zone 9b, last spring frosts range from about Jan 12 to Mar 2, and first fall frosts from Jan 8 to Dec 25. Plan from your own frost dates where you can.
Zone 9b is common in: California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Louisiana, Nevada
Zone 9b planting schedule
Dates below count from the zone’s typical frost dates, so treat them as a starting point. For dates set to your exact ZIP code, use the planting calendar.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant or sow outside | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Around Dec 22 | Around Feb 16 | — |
| Pepper | Around Dec 8 | Around Feb 16 | — |
| Eggplant | Around Dec 8 | Around Feb 16 | — |
| Basil | Around Dec 22 | Around Feb 16 | — |
| Cucumber | Around Jan 12 | Around Feb 16 | — |
| Zucchini | Around Jan 12 | Around Feb 9 | — |
| Butternut Squash | Around Jan 12 | Around Feb 9 | — |
| Watermelon | Around Jan 12 | Around Feb 16 | — |
| Corn | — | Around Feb 2 | — |
| Green Bean | — | Around Feb 9 | — |
| Pea | — | Around Dec 22 | Around Sep 30 |
| Lettuce | — | Around Jan 5 | Around Oct 21 |
| Spinach | — | Around Dec 22 | Around Oct 14 |
| Kale | Around Dec 22 | Around Feb 2 | Around Sep 30 |
| Broccoli | Around Dec 8 | Around Jan 19 | Around Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Around Dec 22 | Around Feb 2 | Around Sep 2 |
| Carrot | — | Around Jan 12 | Around Sep 23 |
| Beet | — | Around Jan 5 | Around Sep 30 |
| Radish | — | Around Jan 5 | Around Oct 28 |
| Onion | Around Nov 24 | Around Jan 12 | — |
| Potato | — | Around Jan 19 | — |
| Garlic | — | — | Around Dec 23 |
Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Frost dates: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (50% chance of 32°F), middle value across the zone's ZIP codes.
Other zones: 3b · 4a · 4b · 5a · 5b · 6a · 6b · 7a · 7b · 8a · 8b · 9a · 10a