USDA Zone 9a planting calendar
The year in Zone 9a
What to plant now (October)
Choose supplies for your planting plan
Check the crop's sowing method first. Trays and seed-starting mix are for indoor starts; row cover can help protect outdoor seedlings. Reuse supplies you already have, and check product dimensions before ordering.
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Seed-starting traysBurpee SuperSeed 36-cell trayReusable cells that pop seedlings out with the roots intact at transplant time.See it on Amazon- Seed-starting mixEspoma Organic Seed StarterA fine, sterile mix so small seeds can push through and seedlings don't rot.See it on Amazon
- Floating row coverAgribon AG-30 row coverAdds a few degrees of frost protection on cold nights and keeps insects off young plants.See it on Amazon
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All crops in Zone 9a
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | January 30 – February 6 | March 6 – March 20 | — |
| Peppers | January 19 | March 9 – March 23 | — |
| Eggplant | January 23 – February 6 | March 13 – March 27 | — |
| Basil | January 30 | March 6 – March 20 | — |
| Broccoli | January 12 – January 19 | February 2 – February 16 | August 16 – August 30 |
| Cabbage | December 22 – January 5 | January 26 – February 9 | July 7 – July 21 |
| Cauliflower | January 5 – January 19 | February 9 – February 23 | August 21 – September 4 |
| Brussels Sprouts | December 29 – January 12 | February 2 – February 16 | — |
| Kale | December 22 – January 5 | January 26 – February 9 | August 26 – September 9 |
| Lettuce | January 2 – January 9 | January 30 – February 13 | August 11 – August 25 |
| Spinach | — | January 23 – February 6 | September 20 – October 4 |
| Onions | November 24 – December 8 | January 26 – February 9 | — |
| Leeks | December 1 – December 15 | February 2 – February 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | January 5 – January 12 | February 9 – February 23 | — |
| Radishes | — | February 2 – February 16 | October 5 – October 19 |
| Turnips | — | February 2 – February 16 | September 5 – September 19 |
| Beets | — | February 9 – February 23 | August 31 – September 14 |
| Carrots | — | February 23 – March 9 | August 1 – August 15 |
| Peas | — | January 19 – February 2 | August 26 – September 9 |
| Beans | — | March 2 – March 16 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | March 2 – March 16 | — |
| Cucumbers | February 13 – February 20 | March 6 – March 20 | — |
| Summer Squash & Zucchini | February 16 – February 23 | March 9 – March 23 | — |
| Winter Squash | February 16 – February 23 | March 9 – March 23 | — |
| Pumpkins | February 16 – February 23 | March 9 – March 23 | — |
| Melons | February 16 – February 23 | March 9 – March 23 | — |
| Okra | February 9 – February 23 | March 16 – March 30 | — |
| Potatoes | — | February 13 – February 27 | — |
| Parsley | December 5 – December 12 | February 6 – February 20 | — |
| Collards | December 22 – January 5 | January 26 – February 9 | August 11 – August 25 |
| Watermelon | February 16 – February 23 | March 9 – March 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | March 6 – March 20 | — |
| Celery | December 15 – December 29 | March 2 – March 16 | — |
| Kohlrabi | December 22 – January 5 | January 26 – February 9 | — |
| Artichoke | December 8 – January 5 | February 23 – March 9 | — |
| Asparagus | — | January 30 – February 13 | — |
| Cilantro | — | March 2 – March 16 | — |
| Dill | — | February 13 – February 27 | — |
| Oregano | December 29 – January 12 | March 2 – March 16 | — |
| Sage | January 12 – January 26 | March 2 – March 16 | — |
| Thyme | December 29 – January 12 | March 2 – March 16 | — |
Fall bulb planting in Zone 9a
| Crop | Plant cloves (fall) | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic | November 29 – December 13 | Following summer |
Calendar computed 2026-10-01. Frost: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals. Zone: USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM-derived). Planting rules: UNH Extension, Johnny's Selected Seeds, UGA Extension.