Free planting guide · PDF
Zone 9b planting guide
A one-page zone 9b planting guide: average last and first frost dates, what vegetables to plant when in spring and fall, and how to pick perennials for zone 9b.
What is on this planting guide
Average coldest winter night 25 to 30°F (-4 to -1°C). Places in zone 9b include Houston, TX, Sacramento, CA, Las Vegas, NV, New Orleans, LA.
Spring: what to plant and when
| Group | Plant outside | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy crops tolerate a hard frost | December 21 to January 4 | 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 | January 4 to January 18 | Beet, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, mustard, parsnip |
| Tender crops damaged by frost | From February 1 | Bean, sweet corn, tomato |
| Very tender crops warm season | From February 15 | Cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, pepper, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato |
Fall garden
Count back from the first fall frost (December 9): 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 October 6 , a 70-day crop by September 16 .
| 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 2,085 zone 9b 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.
