Zone 9a Frost Dates & Planting Calendar

USDA Zone 9a has average coldest-winter lows of 20°F to 25°F. Across the 248 cities we track in this zone, the typical last spring frost is around March 1 and the typical first fall frost around November 27.

Winter low 20°F to 25°F

Typical last frost March 1

Typical first frost November 27

Cities 248

Hardiness zones describe winter cold, not frost timing (why that matters). For dates specific to your town, look up your ZIP code.

Zone 9a Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	Mar 8 – Mar 15	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Dec 21 – Jan 4	—	Mar 8 – Mar 22	—	60–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant	Dec 21 – Jan 4	—	Mar 15 – Mar 22	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Feb 1 – Feb 8	Mar 8 – Mar 15	Mar 8 – Mar 15	—	50–65 days	Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini	Feb 8 – Feb 15	Mar 8 – Mar 22	Mar 8 – Mar 15	—	45–55 days	Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash	Feb 1 – Feb 8	Mar 8 – Mar 22	Mar 8 – Mar 15	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	Mar 8 – Mar 22	—	—	90–120 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon	Feb 1 – Feb 8	—	Mar 15 – Mar 22	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Feb 1 – Feb 8	—	Mar 15 – Mar 22	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	—	60–100 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Jan 18 – Feb 1	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	Oct 2 – Oct 16	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Jan 18 – Feb 1	—	Oct 2 – Oct 16	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	Sep 18 – Oct 2	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	Oct 16 – Oct 23	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Jan 11 – Jan 25	—	Feb 8 – Feb 15	Sep 25 – Oct 2	55–80 days	Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower	Jan 11 – Jan 25	—	Feb 15 – Feb 22	Sep 18 – Sep 25	55–85 days	Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage	Jan 11 – Jan 25	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	Sep 18 – Oct 2	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Jan 11 – Jan 25	—	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	90–110 days	Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	Sep 4 – Sep 18	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	Sep 18 – Oct 2	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Jan 25 – Feb 8	—	Oct 16 – Oct 30	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	Sep 18 – Oct 2	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Dec 21 – Jan 4	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	90–120 days	Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic	—	—	—	Oct 30 – Nov 13	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	—	70–120 days	Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato	—	—	Mar 15 – Mar 29	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	730–1095 days	Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.

Herbs
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Basil	Jan 18 – Jan 25	—	Mar 8 – Mar 15	—	50–70 days	Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro	—	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	Oct 2 – Oct 16	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	Feb 15 – Feb 22	—	70–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill	—	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	Mar 1 – Mar 8	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	Mar 1 – Mar 8	—	85–95 days	Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Flowers
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Sunflower	—	Mar 8 – Mar 22	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Feb 1 – Feb 8	Mar 8 – Mar 22	Mar 8 – Mar 15	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Jan 18 – Feb 1	—	Mar 8 – Mar 15	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Feb 1 – Feb 8	Mar 8 – Mar 22	Mar 8 – Mar 15	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	Mar 8 – Mar 22	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	Mar 8 – Mar 22	—	90–120 days	Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Cities in Zone 9a

City	Last frost	First frost
San Antonio, TX	Feb 25	Nov 28
Austin, TX	Mar 10	Nov 17
Seattle, WA	Mar 13	Nov 17
Portland, OR	Feb 25	Dec 1
Baton Rouge, LA	Feb 28	Nov 26
Tacoma, WA	Mar 8	Nov 14
Tallahassee, FL	Mar 11	Nov 21
Sunrise Manor, NV	Feb 1	Dec 8
Mobile, AL	Feb 21	Dec 6
Spring Valley, NV	Jan 20	Dec 15
Palmdale, CA	Mar 10	Nov 19
Savannah, GA	Mar 2	Nov 30
Gainesville, FL	Mar 3	Dec 2
Bellevue, WA	Mar 8	Nov 23
Charleston, SC	Feb 4	Dec 30
Kent, WA	Mar 20	Nov 10
Lafayette, LA	Feb 13	Dec 4
Round Rock, TX	Mar 11	Nov 20
Gresham, OR	Mar 16	Nov 20
Enterprise, NV	Feb 4	Dec 5
North Charleston, SC	Mar 7	Nov 27
College Station, TX	Feb 27	Nov 30
Renton, WA	Mar 13	Nov 16
Beaverton, OR	Feb 11	Dec 5
Kirkland, WA	Mar 8	Nov 23
Merced, CA	Mar 3	Nov 24
Bryan, TX	Feb 27	Nov 30
Mount Pleasant, SC	Mar 13	Nov 30
Lake Charles, LA	Feb 14	Dec 7
Albany, GA	Mar 10	Nov 20
Gulfport, MS	Feb 18	Dec 14
West Gulfport, MS	Feb 23	Dec 3
New Braunfels, TX	Mar 8	Nov 18
Conroe, TX	Feb 24	Dec 2
Dothan, AL	Mar 1	Nov 24
Casas Adobes, AZ	Feb 26	Dec 4
Cedar Park, TX	Mar 11	Nov 20
Georgetown, TX	Mar 6	Nov 24
San Marcos, TX	Feb 28	Nov 29
Leander, TX	Mar 6	Nov 24

States with Zone 9a cities

Texas (39)
Florida (34)
Louisiana (30)
California (28)
Washington (27)
Georgia (23)
Oregon (16)
Arizona (16)
Mississippi (12)
Alabama (10)
South Carolina (8)
Nevada (5)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the temperature range for Zone 9a?

Zone 9a is defined by an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 20°F to 25°F (USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map).

When is the last frost in Zone 9a?

Typically around March 1, though it varies by location. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not frost timing, so two places in the same zone can have last frosts weeks apart — check your city's page for local dates.

When is the first frost in Zone 9a?

Typically around November 27 across the cities we track in Zone 9a.

Neighboring zones: Zone 8b · Zone 9b · All zones