Zone 9a Frost Dates and Planting Schedule

In USDA zone 9a, the typical last frost is March 4 and the typical first frost is November 24: the medians across its 1,885 ZIP codes, from NOAA 1991–2020 normals at the station nearest each one.

By HarvestMath Editors October 1, 2026 Share:

Typical first fall frost

Nov 24

range Nov 7 to Dec 28

Typical last spring frost

Mar 4

range Jan 31 to Apr 1

Median and 10th to 90th percentile across 1,885 ZIP codes in zone 9a, from each ZIP code's nearest NOAA station (1991–2020 normals). The spread is 60 days in spring.

A hardiness zone is a winter-cold rating: the average coldest night of the year. It doesn't predict when frost ends in spring. Two ZIP codes in zone 9a can be weeks apart on their last frost, so the dates here are a typical range, not your date.

Your exact frost dates

Find your dates by

US ZIP code

Enter a ZIP code or pick your hardiness zone to see your frost dates.

Zone 9a Planting Schedule

Typical for zone 9a, counted from the zone's typical Mar 4 last frost and Nov 24 first frost with the Season Planner's crop timing. Enter your ZIP code for your exact dates.

Typical for zone 9a

Jan 7–Jan 21 Start tomatoes indoors

Tomato seed needs 6 to 8 weeks under lights before it goes out.
Jan 21–Feb 4 Sow peas outdoors

Peas take cold soil and light frost in stride.
Feb 4–Feb 18 Sow leaf lettuce outdoors

Sow again every 2 to 3 weeks for a steady supply.
Mar 11–Mar 18 Transplant tomatoes and peppers

Once nights stay above 50°F.
Mar 11–Mar 18 Sow bush beans

Beans rot in cold soil: wait for 60°F at 4 inches deep.
Sep 1–Sep 15 Sow a fall crop

Kale, carrots, spinach or lettuce, 10 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost.
Dec 1–Dec 8 Plant garlic

Cloves go in 1 to 2 weeks after the first killing frost, for next summer.

Zone 9a Cities and Their Frost Dates

Same zone, different dates: each city's own station.

Seattle, WA:last frost Mar 8, first Nov 23
Portland, OR:last frost Mar 13, first Nov 19
Austin, TX:last frost Feb 20, first Dec 3
San Antonio, TX:last frost Feb 26, first Nov 28
Charleston, SC:last frost Feb 4, first Dec 30
Savannah, GA:last frost Mar 2, first Nov 30
Tallahassee, FL:last frost Mar 11, first Nov 21
Summerville, SC:last frost Mar 22, first Nov 12

Zone 9a Frost FAQ

When is the last frost in zone 9a?

Typically around March 4, but it ranges from January 31 to April 1 across the zone's ZIP codes (10th to 90th percentile). Enter your ZIP code for your own station's date.

When is the first frost in zone 9a?

Typically around November 24, ranging November 7 to December 28 across zone 9a.

When do you plant tomatoes in zone 9a?

Typically Mar 11 to Mar 18, a week or two after the zone's typical last frost. Your own last frost can be weeks either side of that.

Neighboring Zones

Zone 9a covers ZIP codes in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington.

A garden in a zone 9a climate — An illustration of a zone 9a garden.

Free book · 23 pages, PDF

The Spacing & Planting Cheat Sheet

When to start, when to plant, how far apart.