Planting calendar

Zone 9 Planting Calendar

In zone 9 the last spring frost typically passes late January to February and the first fall frost arrives early December. Frost is brief; the calendar flips, with fall and winter doing spring's job. The calendar below hangs every planting window on those two dates.

January in zone 9

Frost is still likely until late January to February, but the soil is opening: hardy plants can go in as soon as it is workable.

Start a zone 9 January planting list in the Studio

February in zone 9

Frost danger in zone 9 typically ends late January to February, so the tender plants below go in as that date passes where you are, not before it.

The perennial, shrub and tree window that opened in January is still open (593 plants).

The bulb window that opened in January is still open (3 plants).

Start a zone 9 February planting list in the Studio

March in zone 9

The perennial, shrub and tree window that opened in January is still open (593 plants).

The tender planting window that opened in February is still open (503 plants).

April in zone 9

The big spring windows have closed in zone 9; April is for tending, and the next big planting window opens in October, ahead of the early December first frost. Browse the guides or see what is in flower in April in zone 9.

May in zone 9

The big spring windows have closed in zone 9; May is for tending, and the next big planting window opens in October, ahead of the early December first frost. Browse the guides or see what is in flower in May in zone 9.

June in zone 9

The big spring windows have closed in zone 9; June is for tending, and the next big planting window opens in October, ahead of the early December first frost. Browse the guides or see what is in flower in June in zone 9.

July in zone 9

Zone 9 sits well between frosts this month; the season runs until early December.

Perennials, shrubs and trees1

August in zone 9

The perennial, shrub and tree window that opened in July is still open (1 plant).

September in zone 9

The perennial, shrub and tree window that opened in July is still open (1 plant).

October in zone 9

The soil is still warm and the first frost (early December) is weeks away: the fall planting window opens now.

Start a zone 9 October planting list in the Studio

November in zone 9

About a month remains before the typical first frost (early December): prime time for fall planting.

The perennial, shrub and tree window that opened in October is still open (576 plants).

Start a zone 9 November planting list in the Studio

December in zone 9

The bulb window that opened in November is still open (56 plants).

Timing here is anchored to typical zone frost averages (NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals, as summarized in university extension frost tables). Your local dates can differ by several weeks, so confirm the last and first frost dates for your own area.

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