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USDA Zone 9a planting calendar

In USDA Zone 9a, the average last spring frost is around 03/02 and the first fall frost around 11/25, giving roughly a 268-day growing season. Plant cool-season crops from late winter; warm-season crops after the last frost.
Last frost ~03/02 First frost ~11/25 ~268-day season 75 NOAA stations

Frost dates are the median across 75 NOAA weather stations in Zone 9a (1991–2020 normals, 50% probability). Range: last frost 02/14–03/16, first frost 11/14–12/06. For your exact town, use the ZIP tool.

The year in Zone 9a

Jan21 tasksFeb31 tasksMar21 tasksApr—May—Jun—Jul1 taskAug8 tasksSep6 tasksOct2 tasksNov1 taskDec1 task

What to plant now (August)

Broccoli
Sow for fall harvest
Cauliflower
Sow for fall harvest
Kale
Sow for fall harvest
Lettuce
Sow for fall harvest
Beets
Sow for fall harvest
Carrots
Sow for fall harvest
Peas
Sow for fall harvest
Collards
Sow for fall harvest

All crops in Zone 9a

CropStart indoorsTransplant / sowSow for fall
TomatoesJanuary 30 – February 6March 6 – March 20—
PeppersJanuary 19March 9 – March 23—
EggplantJanuary 23 – February 6March 13 – March 27—
BasilJanuary 30March 6 – March 20—
BroccoliJanuary 12 – January 19February 2 – February 16August 16 – August 30
CabbageDecember 22 – January 5January 26 – February 9July 7 – July 21
CauliflowerJanuary 5 – January 19February 9 – February 23August 21 – September 4
Brussels SproutsDecember 29 – January 12February 2 – February 16—
KaleDecember 22 – January 5January 26 – February 9August 26 – September 9
LettuceJanuary 2 – January 9January 30 – February 13August 11 – August 25
Spinach—January 23 – February 6September 20 – October 4
OnionsNovember 24 – December 8January 26 – February 9—
LeeksDecember 1 – December 15February 2 – February 16—
Swiss ChardJanuary 5 – January 12February 9 – February 23—
Radishes—February 2 – February 16October 5 – October 19
Turnips—February 2 – February 16September 5 – September 19
Beets—February 9 – February 23August 31 – September 14
Carrots—February 23 – March 9August 1 – August 15
Peas—January 19 – February 2August 26 – September 9
Beans—March 2 – March 16—
Sweet Corn—March 2 – March 16—
CucumbersFebruary 13 – February 20March 6 – March 20—
Summer Squash & ZucchiniFebruary 16 – February 23March 9 – March 23—
Winter SquashFebruary 16 – February 23March 9 – March 23—
PumpkinsFebruary 16 – February 23March 9 – March 23—
MelonsFebruary 16 – February 23March 9 – March 23—
OkraFebruary 9 – February 23March 16 – March 30—
Potatoes—February 13 – February 27—
ParsleyDecember 5 – December 12February 6 – February 20—
CollardsDecember 22 – January 5January 26 – February 9August 11 – August 25
WatermelonFebruary 16 – February 23March 9 – March 23—
Sweet Potatoes—March 6 – March 20—
CeleryDecember 15 – December 29March 2 – March 16—
KohlrabiDecember 22 – January 5January 26 – February 9—
ArtichokeDecember 8 – January 5February 23 – March 9—
Asparagus—January 30 – February 13—
Cilantro—March 2 – March 16—
Dill—February 13 – February 27—
OreganoDecember 29 – January 12March 2 – March 16—
SageJanuary 12 – January 26March 2 – March 16—
ThymeDecember 29 – January 12March 2 – March 16—

Fall bulb planting in Zone 9a

Planted in fall after the first frost, for harvest the following summer — a separate calendar from the spring/fall-harvest crops above.

CropPlant cloves (fall)Harvest
GarlicNovember 29 – December 13Following summer

Last verified 2026-08-28. 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.