Fall Seeds for Zone 9

This page is under construction. I wanted to get it out since it is almost too late for tomato and pepper transplants in my zone. I will start mine today.

For some, fall is the best time for gardening, especially in Zone 9, as the temperatures starts to cool down a bit. We have found that we get our best garden in the fall. 

We harvested Celebrity tomatoes on Jan 3, 2025. They were nice and bright red. My mouth was watering thinking about eating them. I took some into the house, sliced 1 up, popped into my mouth and immediately had to spit it out. I guess it was not warm enough for it to produce the great taste we expect from home grown tomatoes.

We have put together a guide for zone 9 based on David's experiences. The date listed is when we recommend the seeds be planted, well us and the Almanac. This link is the zip code for where I live. You can put in your own zip code.

Tomatoes and Peppers need to be started for transplants. 

With tomatoes try to keep to the slicing and smaller. And you will want to grow determinates.

Some recommend that broccoli and cauliflower be started early and transplanted. The problem with this is the heat. Unless you have a cool area, 80 degrees or so, they will not do very well. I just direct sow these.

These are estimates since no one can predict the weather, with certainty. Our first frost date is around November 21st. But I think, because of all the rain we have gotten, that it is likely to be around November 13th. 

Tender crops, those which do not like cold weather, need to be planted early enough so that the harvest is done before the first freeze.

Bean bush or pole: August 16th to the 31st -- tender

Bean Fava: August 15th to the 30th -- semi frost hardy

Beet: August 30th to September 27 -- frost hardy 

Broccoli: September 13th to the 30th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Cabbage: August 30th to September 13th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Carrot: September 6th to the 13th -- frost hardy to about 22 degrees

Cauliflower: August 30th to September 6th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Collards: September 27th to October 11th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Cucumber: August 13th to the 30th -- tender

Jicama: August 13th to any time -- frost hardy to about 22 degrees

Kale: September 13th to the 27th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Kohlrabi: September 27th to the 13th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Lettuce: September 27th to October 11th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Mustard Greens: September 20th to October 11th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Onio: October 15th or so -- frost hardy

Pea: September 13th to the 27th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Pepper: Early July to plant out in late August -- tender

Radish: October 11th to the 25th -- frost hardy to about 22 degrees

Spinach: October 4th to the 25th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Squash: August 16th to the 31st -- tender

Swiss Chard: September 13th to the 27th -- frost hardy to about 28 degrees

Tomato: Early July to plant out in late August -- tender

Turnip: September 20th to October 4th -- frost hardy to about 22 degrees

Zucchini: August 16th to the 31st -- tender

Order today and grow your own fresh fall vegetables.