What to plant in October — zone 9b
Zone 9b averages its last spring frost around February 15 and its first fall frost around December 15. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Plan & order
- Inventory and order seedaround Oct 26
Sort what you already have, toss anything over 3 years old, and order early while varieties are in stock.
Start indoors for fall
- Kalearound Oct 4
Seedlings need 4 weeks before they go out for a fall harvest.
Direct sow for fall
- Spinacharound Oct 5
Succession sowing 3 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Lettucearound Oct 5
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Parsleyaround Oct 6
Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Cilantroaround Oct 10
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Bush beanaround Oct 11
Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Frost-tender — must finish before frost.
- Peaaround Oct 16
Counts back 60 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Carrotaround Oct 17
Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Frost-hardy — light freezes sweeten it.
- Beetaround Oct 21
Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Dillaround Oct 21
Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Frost-tender — must finish before frost.
- Spinacharound Oct 26
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Lettucearound Oct 26
Counts back 50 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Radisharound Oct 29
Succession sowing 3 of 3 — sow every 14 days for a steady cut.
- Cilantroaround Oct 31
Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
Transplant for fall
- Broccoliaround Oct 22
Last safe transplant date to mature (65 days) before frost on 12-15.
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