Zone 9b Frost Dates & Planting Calendar

USDA Zone 9b has average coldest-winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. Across the 379 cities we track in this zone, the typical last spring frost is around January 31 and the typical first fall frost around December 10.

Winter low 25°F to 30°F

Typical last frost January 31

Typical first frost December 10

Cities 379

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

Zone 9b Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Dec 6 – Dec 20	—	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Nov 22 – Dec 6	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	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	Nov 22 – Dec 6	—	Feb 14 – Feb 21	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Jan 3 – Jan 10	Feb 7 – Feb 14	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	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	Jan 10 – Jan 17	Feb 7 – Feb 21	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	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	Jan 3 – Jan 10	Feb 7 – Feb 21	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	—	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	Jan 3 – Jan 10	—	Feb 14 – Feb 21	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Jan 3 – Jan 10	—	Feb 14 – Feb 21	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Jan 31 – Feb 14	—	—	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	—	Jan 31 – Feb 14	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Dec 20 – Jan 3	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	Oct 15 – Oct 29	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Dec 20 – Jan 3	—	Oct 15 – Oct 29	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	Oct 1 – Oct 15	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	Oct 29 – Nov 5	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Dec 13 – Dec 27	—	Jan 10 – Jan 17	Oct 8 – Oct 15	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	Dec 13 – Dec 27	—	Jan 17 – Jan 24	Oct 1 – Oct 8	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	Dec 13 – Dec 27	—	Jan 3 – Jan 17	Oct 1 – Oct 15	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Dec 13 – Dec 27	—	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	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	—	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	Sep 17 – Oct 1	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	Oct 1 – Oct 15	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Dec 27 – Jan 10	—	Oct 29 – Nov 12	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	Oct 1 – Oct 15	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Nov 22 – Dec 6	—	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	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	—	—	—	Nov 12 – Nov 26	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	—	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	—	—	Feb 14 – Feb 28	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	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	Dec 20 – Dec 27	—	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	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	—	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	Oct 15 – Oct 29	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Dec 6 – Dec 20	—	Jan 17 – Jan 24	—	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	—	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Dec 6 – Dec 20	—	Jan 31 – Feb 7	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Dec 6 – Dec 20	—	Jan 31 – Feb 7	—	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	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Jan 3 – Jan 10	Feb 7 – Feb 21	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Dec 20 – Jan 3	—	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Jan 3 – Jan 10	Feb 7 – Feb 21	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	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 9b

City	Last frost	First frost
Houston, TX	Feb 2	Dec 25
Jacksonville, FL	Feb 1	Jan 5
Las Vegas, NV	Jan 24	Dec 10
Tucson, AZ	Jan 20	Dec 17
Fresno, CA	Jan 14	Dec 14
Sacramento, CA	Jan 12	Dec 16
Mesa, AZ	Feb 13	Dec 5
Bakersfield, CA	Jan 31	Dec 8
New Orleans, LA	Feb 1	Dec 31
Stockton, CA	Feb 5	Dec 8
Henderson, NV	Jan 20	Dec 15
Chandler, AZ	Feb 13	Dec 5
Laredo, TX	Jan 20	Dec 25
Gilbert, AZ	Feb 13	Dec 5
Glendale, AZ	Jan 20	Dec 15
Scottsdale, AZ	Feb 13	Dec 5
North Las Vegas, NV	Feb 1	Dec 8
Fremont, CA	Jan 7	Dec 22
Paradise, NV	Jan 20	Dec 15
Modesto, CA	Jan 31	Dec 5
Moreno Valley, CA	Jan 27	Dec 19
Cypress, TX	Feb 19	Dec 3
Peoria, AZ	Jan 20	Dec 15
Santa Rosa, CA	Feb 25	Dec 1
Tempe, AZ	Feb 13	Dec 5
Elk Grove, CA	Feb 2	Dec 2
Tempe Junction, AZ	Feb 13	Dec 5
Salinas, CA	Feb 4	Dec 6
Sunnyvale, CA	Jan 6	Dec 23
Pasadena, TX	Feb 2	Dec 25
Surprise, AZ	Jan 20	Dec 15
Metairie, LA	Jan 24	Jan 2
Roseville, CA	Jan 12	Dec 16
Visalia, CA	Jan 23	Dec 13
Concord, CA	Jan 9	Dec 14
Santa Clara, CA	Jan 12	Dec 22
Vallejo, CA	Jan 17	Dec 27
Chico, CA	Mar 4	Nov 17
Beaumont, TX	Feb 14	Dec 4
Fairfield, CA	Jan 15	Dec 14

States with Zone 9b cities

California (185)
Florida (68)
Texas (59)
Arizona (28)
Louisiana (28)
Nevada (7)
South Carolina (2)
Oregon (2)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the temperature range for Zone 9b?

Zone 9b is defined by an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 25°F to 30°F (USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map).

When is the last frost in Zone 9b?

Typically around January 31, 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 9b?

Typically around December 10 across the cities we track in Zone 9b.

Neighboring zones: Zone 9a · Zone 10a · All zones