Zone 9b Planting Calendar 2026Complete Seed Starting Schedule
Zone 9b rarely sees frost and supports gardening nearly 11 months of the year. The focus is on heat-tolerant summer crops and cool-season crops in winter, making it one of the most productive zones in the US. Includes Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa Bay.
Last Frost
January 20
First Fall Frost
December 20
Growing Season
334 days
2026 Monthly Planting Schedule
Your month-by-month guide for Zone 9b
1January
🌱 Indoors: Start early crops indoors
☀️ Notes: Plan garden, order seeds
2February
🌱 Indoors: Start main season crops
🌍 Direct: Cold hardy crops direct sow
☀️ Notes: Prepare soil when workable
3March
🌱 Indoors: Continue seed starting
🌍 Direct: Direct sow cool season
☀️ Notes: Prepare beds
4April
🌱 Indoors: Finish warm season indoors
🌍 Direct: Direct sow beans, corn
☀️ Notes: Main transplant month
5May
🌍 Direct: Succession plant
☀️ Notes: Plant out all seedlings
6June
🌱 Indoors: Start fall crops
🌍 Direct: Plant fall vegetables
☀️ Notes: Maintain and water
7July
🌱 Indoors: Fall transplant seedlings
🌍 Direct: Plant fall crops
☀️ Notes: Begin fall planning
8August
🌍 Direct: Plant fall greens
☀️ Notes: Fall garden planting
9September
🌍 Direct: Plant garlic
☀️ Notes: Fall planting continues
10October
🌱 Indoors: Order seeds
☀️ Notes: Clean up, prepare winter
Recommended Varieties for Zone 9b
Top-performing varieties adapted to your zone
tomato
pepper
lettuce
cucumber
squash
Best Crops for Zone 9b
Top performers in your zone's climate
💡 Zone Tip: Shade cloth (30–40%) in summer protects cool-season crops and reduces heat stress on fruiting plants. Garden year-round!
Major Cities in Zone 9b
These areas share your hardiness zone
Zone 9b on the Map
Cities in your zone are highlighted. Click any marker to explore neighboring zone calendars.
Calculate Your 2026 Schedule
📖 Deep Dive Guide
Read: Complete Planting Guide for Zone 9 →Looking for a different zone?
Browse All 17 USDA Hardiness Zones →