Zone 9b Frost Dates and Planting Schedule

In USDA zone 9b, the typical last frost is February 13 and the typical first frost is December 5: the medians across its 1,391 ZIP codes, from NOAA 1991–2020 normals at the station nearest each one.

By HarvestMath Editors October 1, 2026 Share:

Typical first fall frost

Dec 5

range Nov 6 to Dec 28

Typical last spring frost

Feb 13

range Jan 12 to Apr 10

Median and 10th to 90th percentile across 1,391 ZIP codes in zone 9b, from each ZIP code's nearest NOAA station (1991–2020 normals). The spread is 88 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 9b 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 9b Planting Schedule

Typical for zone 9b, counted from the zone's typical Feb 13 last frost and Dec 5 first frost with the Season Planner's crop timing. Enter your ZIP code for your exact dates.

Typical for zone 9b

Dec 19–Jan 2 Start tomatoes indoors

Tomato seed needs 6 to 8 weeks under lights before it goes out.
Jan 2–Jan 16 Sow peas outdoors

Peas take cold soil and light frost in stride.
Jan 16–Jan 30 Sow leaf lettuce outdoors

Sow again every 2 to 3 weeks for a steady supply.
Feb 20–Feb 27 Transplant tomatoes and peppers

Once nights stay above 50°F.
Feb 20–Feb 27 Sow bush beans

Beans rot in cold soil: wait for 60°F at 4 inches deep.
Sep 12–Sep 26 Sow a fall crop

Kale, carrots, spinach or lettuce, 10 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost.
Dec 12–Dec 19 Plant garlic

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

Zone 9b Cities and Their Frost Dates

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

Houston, TX:last frost Jan 30, first Dec 28
Sacramento, CA:last frost Jan 12, first Dec 16
Jacksonville, FL:last frost Feb 1, first Jan 5
Las Vegas, NV:last frost Jan 20, first Dec 15
Fresno, CA:last frost Jan 14, first Dec 14
Tucson, AZ:last frost Feb 5, first Dec 9
Bakersfield, CA:last frost Jan 17, first Dec 15
New Orleans, LA:last frost Jan 24, first Jan 2

Zone 9b Frost FAQ

When is the last frost in zone 9b?

Typically around February 13, but it ranges from January 12 to April 10 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 9b?

Typically around December 5, ranging November 6 to December 28 across zone 9b.

When do you plant tomatoes in zone 9b?

Typically Feb 20 to Feb 27, 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 9b covers ZIP codes in Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, Texas.

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

Free book · 23 pages, PDF

The Spacing & Planting Cheat Sheet

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