Zone 9b planting guide
Phoenix and warm California pockets. The calendar often runs fall–spring, not April–October.
- Last spring frost
- Feb 1
- First fall frost
- Dec 20
- Winter low
- 25 to 30°F
The trap
Sowing a Midwest spring list in June.
What actually finishes
Heat-lovers in the shoulder seasons. Shade cloth in summer. Greens in winter.
This week in Zone 9b
Sow for fall
Direct-sow fast cool crops now. Skip tomatoes. Count days to first frost.
- AstroFall sowing: arugulaDirect sow
30 days needed · 48 days of season left.
- Slow BoltFall sowing: cilantroDirect sow
40 days needed · 48 days of season left.
- BouquetFall sowing: dillDirect sow
40 days needed · 48 days of season left.
- Black Seeded SimpsonFall sowing: lettuceDirect sow
40 days needed · 48 days of season left.
- Cherry BelleFall sowing: radishDirect sow
28 days needed · 48 days of season left.
- BloomsdaleFall sowing: spinachDirect sow
40 days needed · 48 days of season left.
Crops for this zone
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Lettuce
- Basil
- Zucchini
- Beans
- Kale
- Spinach
- Radish
- Carrots
- Cilantro
- Cucumber
- Sunflower
- Zinnia
- Arugula
- Broccoli
- Swiss chard
- Beets
- Parsley
- Dill
- Marigold
- Winter squash
- Onions
Cities in Zone 9b
Year at a glance
January
Winter greens and herbs. This is a growing month here, not a rest month.
February
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
March
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
April
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
May
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
June
Heat pause for cool crops. Keep irrigation up. Shade lettuce.
July
Heat pause for cool crops. Keep irrigation up. Shade lettuce.
August
Fall / second-spring sowing: tomatoes in hot climates, greens everywhere.
September
Fall / second-spring sowing: tomatoes in hot climates, greens everywhere.
October
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
November · now
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
December
Winter greens and herbs. This is a growing month here, not a rest month.
The sow list
A note when it is time to sow
Seasonal, not daily. We will send what to start in your zone, and skip the rest of the year.
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