Free planting guide · PDF
Zone 9a planting guide
A one-page zone 9a planting guide: average last and first frost dates, what vegetables to plant when in spring and fall, and how to pick perennials for zone 9a.
What is on this planting guide
Average coldest winter night 20 to 25°F (-7 to -4°C). Places in zone 9a include San Antonio, TX, Austin, TX, Portland, OR, Seattle, WA.
Spring: what to plant and when
| Group | Plant outside | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy crops tolerate a hard frost | January 19 to February 2 | Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, leek, mustard, onion, peas, potato, radish, rhubarb, spinach, turnip |
| Semi-hardy crops tolerate a light frost | February 2 to February 16 | Beet, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, mustard, parsnip |
| Tender crops damaged by frost | From March 2 | Bean, sweet corn, tomato |
| Very tender crops warm season | From March 16 | Cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, pepper, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato |
Fall garden
Count back from the first fall frost (November 26): days to harvest, plus about 14 days because growth slows in fall, plus 14 more for frost-tender crops. A 50-day crop goes in by September 23 , a 70-day crop by September 3 .
| Semi-hardy (take light frost) | Beets, mustard, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, green onions |
| Hardy (take several frosts) | Cabbage, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, kale |
Frost dates: medians across 2,199 zone 9a ZIP codes, from the nearest NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals station (32°F, 50% chance). Spring timing: Purdue Extension HO-186-W. Fall method and crops: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension NebGuide G1343. Your own dates by ZIP code: plantsdirectusa.com.
