Southern California Zone 9 Planting Calendar
By Parvez Akhtar Pasha | Apr 23, 2025
Southern California Zone 9 has a longer growing season and a hot summer. This allows gardeners in this zone to grow a wide range of plants. But as a gardener, you should learn about the perfect timing to start planting.
Planting your plants or sowing seeds at the right time is essential. On the internet, I often notice Zone 9 Southern California gardeners ask questions like "Can I grow this plant now?" or "When to plant" or something like that. So here I come with a solution. In this article, I have included a complete year-round planting calendar for USDA zone 9 in Southern California.
In this guide, I have separated the charts into the following types of plants:
- Vegetables and Roots
- Leafy greens
- Flowering Plants
- Herbs
- Berries and fruit trees
In each chart, you can find the planting time, harvest time, and type of plant.
Vegetables and Roots Planting Schedule
In Zone 9 Southern California, you can grow a wide range of vegetables and roots. In the following chart, major vegetables and roots included that you can grow in your garden:
| Plant | Planting Time (Date Range) | Harvest Time | Type | Recommended Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 15 - Apr 15 | May - Oct | Warm-Season Vegetable | ‘Sun Gold’, ‘Early Girl’, ‘Celebrity’, ‘San Marzano’ |
| Bell Pepper | Mar 1 - Apr 30 | Jun - Oct | Warm-Season Vegetable | ‘California Wonder’, ‘King Arthur’, ‘Golden Bell’ |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 - Apr 30 | Jun - Oct | Warm-Season Vegetable | ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Ichiban’, ‘Rosa Bianca’ |
| Carrot | Feb 1 - Apr 15, Aug 15 - Oct 15 | May - Jul, Nov - Jan | Root | ‘Danvers 126’, ‘Nantes’, ‘Little Finger’, ‘Imperator’ |
| Beet | Jan 15 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Oct 31 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Root | ‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Chioggia’, ‘Golden’ |
| Lettuce | Jan 15 - Mar 15, Sep 1 - Oct 31 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Vegetable | ‘Buttercrunch’, ‘Romaine Parris Island’, ‘Salad Bowl’ |
| Spinach | Jan 1 - Mar 15, Sep 1 - Oct 31 | Mar - May, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Vegetable | ‘Bloomsdale’, ‘Space’, ‘Tyee’ |
| Radish | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Nov 1 | Mar - May, Oct - Dec | Root | ‘Cherry Belle’, ‘French Breakfast’, ‘Easter Egg’ |
| Green Bean | Mar 15 - May 15 | Jun - Sep | Warm-Season Vegetable | ‘Blue Lake 274’, ‘Contender’, ‘Provider’ |
| Sweet Corn | Mar 15 - May 15 | Jun - Aug | Warm-Season Vegetable | ‘Honey Select’, ‘Golden Bantam’, ‘Peaches & Cream’ |
| Zucchini | Mar 1 - May 1 | Jun - Sep | Warm-Season Vegetable | ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Costata Romanesco’, ‘Raven’ |
| Cucumber | Mar 15 - May 15 | Jun - Sep | Warm-Season Vegetable | ‘Straight Eight’, ‘Marketmore 76’, ‘Lemon’ |
| Broccoli | Jan 15 - Mar 1, Aug 15 - Oct 1 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Vegetable | ‘Packman’, ‘Waltham 29’, ‘Belstar’ |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 - Mar 1, Aug 15 - Oct 1 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Vegetable | ‘Snowball’, ‘Amazing’, ‘Cheddar’ |
| Garlic | Oct 15 - Dec 15 | May - Jun (next year) | Root | ‘California Early White’, ‘Inchelium Red’, ‘Chesnok Red’ |
| Onion | Oct 1 - Dec 1 | May - Jun (next year) | Root | ‘Yellow Granex’, ‘Red Creole’, ‘Texas Sweet’ |
| Potato | Feb 1 - Mar 15 | May - Jul | Root | ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Red Pontiac’, ‘Russet Norkotah’ |
| Kale | Jan 15 - Mar 1, Sep 1 - Oct 31 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Vegetable | ‘Lacinato (Dino)’, ‘Red Russian’, ‘Winterbor’ |
Garlic requires several months of cold exposure for proper bulb development.
For better eggplant, it requires consistently warm soil and air temperatures. You can start it indoors to give a boost.
For better growth of carrots, it needs loose and stone free soil.
Leafy Greens planting schedule
I love having at least one leafy green in my meals every day. If you’re also a leafy green lover living in hardiness zone 9 in the southern part of California, you’re in luck — because you can grow a wide variety of leafy greens in this zone.
Below is the chart with planting, harvest time and recommended varieties for leafy greens.
| Plant | Planting Time (Date Range) | Harvest Time | Type | Recommended Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce (Leaf & Romaine) | Jan 15 - Mar 15, Sep 1 - Nov 1 | Mar - May, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Leafy Green | ‘Buttercrunch’, ‘Little Gem’, ‘Red Sails’, ‘Parris Island Cos’ |
| Spinach | Jan 1 - Mar 15, Sep 15 - Nov 15 | Mar - May, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Leafy Green | ‘Bloomsdale’, ‘Tyee’, ‘Space’, ‘Regiment’ |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 1 - Apr 15, Sep 1 - Oct 31 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Leafy Green | ‘Bright Lights’, ‘Fordhook Giant’, ‘Ruby Red’ |
| Kale | Jan 15 - Mar 15, Sep 1 - Oct 31 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Leafy Green | ‘Lacinato (Dino)’, ‘Red Russian’, ‘Winterbor’ |
| Mustard Greens | Jan 15 - Mar 15, Sep 1 - Oct 31 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Leafy Green | ‘Southern Giant Curled’, ‘Red Giant’, ‘Green Wave’ |
| Collard Greens | Feb 1 - Mar 15, Sep 1 - Oct 31 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Leafy Green | ‘Champion’, ‘Georgia Southern’, ‘Vates’ |
| Arugula | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Nov 1 | Mar - May, Oct - Dec | Quick-Growing Leafy Green | ‘Astro’, ‘Roquette’, ‘Wild Arugula’ |
| Bok Choy (Pak Choi) | Jan 15 - Mar 15, Sep 1 - Oct 31 | Apr - May, Nov - Jan | Cool-Season Leafy Green | ‘Joi Choi’, ‘Tatsoi’, ‘Mei Qing Choi’ |
| Endive / Escarole | Feb 1 - Mar 31, Sep 1 - Oct 31 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Leafy Green | ‘Frisée’, ‘Broadleaf Batavian’, ‘Florida Deep Heart’ |
| Watercress | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | Apr - Jun, Oct - Dec | Leafy Green (Moist Soil) | ‘Aqua Large Leaf’, ‘Upland Cress’, ‘Broadleaf’ |
| Mâche (Corn Salad) | Oct 1 - Nov 15 | Dec - Feb | Cold-Hardy Leafy Green | ‘Vit’, ‘Gala’, ‘Dutch Large Leaf’ |
Flowering Plants Planting Schedule
| Plant | Planting Time (Date Range) | Blooming Time | Perennial or Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold | Feb 15 - May 15 | Apr - Oct | Annual |
| Zinnia | Mar 1 - Jun 30 | May - Oct | Annual |
| Petunia | Feb 1 - May 1 | Mar - Oct | Annual |
| Sunflower | Mar 15 - Jun 30 | Jun - Sep | Annual |
| Cosmos | Mar 1 - May 15 | May - Sep | Annual |
| Snapdragon | Oct 1 - Nov 30, Jan 15 - Mar 1 | Feb - May | Annual |
| Geranium | Feb 1 - Apr 15 | Mar - Oct | Perennial |
| Salvia | Feb 15 - Apr 15 | May - Oct | Perennial |
| Lantana | Mar 15 - May 15 | May - Nov | Perennial |
| Dahlia | Mar 1 - May 1 | Jun - Oct | Perennial (Tender) |
| Lavender | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | May - Jul | Perennial |
| Black-eyed Susan | Mar 1 - May 15 | Jun - Sep | Perennial |
| Coreopsis | Feb 15 - Apr 15 | May - Aug | Perennial |
| Chrysanthemum | Mar 1 - Apr 15 | Sep - Nov | Perennial |
| Aster | Mar 1 - Apr 15 | Aug - Oct | Perennial |
| Sweet Alyssum | Feb 15 - Apr 15, Sep 1 - Oct 30 | Apr - Jun, Sep - Nov | Annual |
| SunPatiens | Mar 1 - May 30 | May - Oct | Annual |
| Vinca | Mar 1 - Jun 30 | May - Sep | Annual |
Dahlia is Perennial but tender. Its tubers need to be lifted and stored indoors in colder winters.
Chrysanthemum benefits from pinching back early growth to encourage bushier plants and more blooms.
Lavender requires well-drained soil and careful pruning after flowering in order to maintain shape and prevent woodiness.
Herbs planting schedule
| Herb | Planting Time (Date Range) | Harvest Time | Annual or Perennial | Recommended Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 1 - Jun 1 | May - Oct | Annual | ‘Genovese’, ‘Sweet Thai’, ‘Lemon Basil’, ‘Purple Ruffles’ |
| Parsley | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | Apr - Jun, Nov - Jan | Biennial (grown as Annual) | ‘Italian Flat Leaf’, ‘Curly Moss’, ‘Giant of Italy’ |
| Cilantro | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Oct 1 - Nov 15 | Apr - May, Dec - Jan | Annual | ‘Santo’, ‘Slow Bolt’, ‘Calypso’ |
| Dill | Feb 15 - Apr 15 | Apr - Jun | Annual | ‘Bouquet’, ‘Mammoth’, ‘Fernleaf’ |
| Chives | Feb 1 - Apr 1 | Apr - Oct | Perennial | ‘Common Chives’, ‘Garlic Chives (Nira)’ |
| Mint | Feb 1 - Apr 15, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | Apr - Nov | Perennial | ‘Spearmint’, ‘Peppermint’, ‘Chocolate Mint’, ‘Apple Mint’ |
| Oregano | Feb 15 - Apr 15 | May - Nov | Perennial | ‘Greek Oregano’, ‘Italian Oregano’, ‘Hot & Spicy’ |
| Thyme | Feb 1 - Apr 1 | Apr - Oct | Perennial | ‘English Thyme’, ‘French Thyme’, ‘Lemon Thyme’ |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 - Apr 15, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | Year-Round | Perennial | ‘Tuscan Blue’, ‘Arp’, ‘Prostratus (Creeping)’ |
| Sage | Feb 15 - Apr 15 | May - Nov | Perennial | ‘Common Sage’, ‘Berggarten’, ‘Purple Sage’ |
| Tarragon | Mar 1 - Apr 15 | May - Oct | Perennial | ‘French Tarragon’ (best flavor), ‘Russian Tarragon’ (more heat-tolerant) |
| Lemongrass | Mar 15 - May 15 | Jun - Nov | Perennial (Tender) | ‘East Indian’, ‘West Indian’ (preferred for culinary use) |
| Chamomile | Feb 15 - Apr 1 | Apr - Jun | Annual | ‘German Chamomile’ (Matricaria), ‘Roman Chamomile’ (low-growing perennial) |
| Fennel | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | Jun - Sep | Perennial (often grown as Annual) | ‘Florence’, ‘Bronze Fennel’, ‘Zefa Fino’ |
Lemongrass needs to be overwintered by keeping it indoors or needs to be protected in frost-free climates.
Rosemary prefers well-drained soil and can suffer in heavy or waterlogged conditions, especially in winter.
Berries and fruit trees planting schedule
| Fruit / Berry | Planting Time (Date Range) | Harvest Time | Perennial or Deciduous | Recommended Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberries | Nov 1 - Jan 31 | Mar - Jun | Perennial | ‘Seascape’, ‘Chandler’, ‘Albion’, ‘Camarosa’ |
| Blueberries | Dec 1 - Feb 28 | May - Jul | Perennial (Deciduous) | ‘Misty’, ‘Sunshine Blue’, ‘Southmoon’, ‘Jewel’ (Southern Highbush) |
| Blackberries | Dec 1 - Feb 28 | May - Jul | Perennial (Deciduous Cane) | ‘Triple Crown’, ‘Navaho’, ‘Chester’, ‘Prime-Ark Freedom’ |
| Raspberries | Jan 1 - Feb 28 | Jun - Aug | Perennial (Deciduous Cane) | ‘Heritage’, ‘Fall Gold’, ‘Canby’, ‘Bababerry’ |
| Figs | Jan 15 - Mar 15 | Jun - Sep | Deciduous Tree | ‘Black Mission’, ‘Brown Turkey’, ‘Kadota’, ‘Panache’ |
| Pomegranate | Feb 1 - Apr 15 | Sep - Nov | Deciduous Tree | ‘Wonderful’, ‘Angel Red’, ‘Parfianka’, ‘Sweet’ |
| Apple (low-chill varieties) | Dec 1 - Feb 15 | Jul - Oct | Deciduous Tree | ‘Anna’, ‘Dorsett Golden’, ‘Ein Shemer’, ‘Fuji’ |
| Peach / Nectarine | Dec 1 - Feb 15 | May - Jul | Deciduous Tree | Peach: ‘Eva’s Pride’, ‘Mid Pride’, ‘August Pride’ Nectarine: ‘Desert Delight’, ‘Arctic Star’ |
| Plum | Dec 1 - Feb 15 | May - Jul | Deciduous Tree | ‘Santa Rosa’, ‘Beauty’, ‘Burgundy’, ‘Methley’ |
| Apricot | Dec 1 - Feb 15 | May - Jun | Deciduous Tree | ‘Katy’, ‘Blenheim (Royal)’, ‘Gold Kist’, ‘Autumn Glo’ |
| Citrus (Orange, Lemon, Lime) | Mar 1 - May 15, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | Varies (usually Nov - May) | Evergreen Tree | Orange: ‘Washington Navel’, ‘Valencia’ Lemon: ‘Eureka’, ‘Meyer’ Lime: ‘Bearss’, ‘Mexican (Key)’ |
| Avocado | Mar 1 - May 15 | Varies (usually spring through fall) | Evergreen Tree | ‘Hass’, ‘Fuerte’, ‘Bacon’, ‘Zutano’ (plant A & B types for pollination) |
| Guava | Mar 1 - May 15 | Aug - Nov | Evergreen Tree | ‘Tropic Pink’, ‘Tropic White’, ‘Ruby Supreme’, ‘Mexican Cream’ |
| Passionfruit | Mar 1 - May 15 | Jul - Nov | Perennial Vine | ‘Frederick’, ‘Purple Possum’, ‘Panama Red’ |
| Grapes | Jan 1 - Mar 1 | Jul - Sep | Deciduous Vine | ‘Thompson Seedless’, ‘Flame Seedless’, ‘Concord’, ‘Black Monukka’ |
