Planting guide

What to plant in Zone 9 in February

USDA Zone 9 · US Northern Hemisphere February

February is the start of the main spring window in zone 9, from the Gulf Coast and Central Texas to the Central Valley and the low desert. Last frosts usually fall between late January and late February, and the window closes fast: once nights stay above about 75°F (24°C) in late spring, tomatoes stop setting fruit. So the job this month is to get the warm-season garden in as early as the frost allows.

Plant now

Seed potatoesSolanum tuberosum

Plant early in the month if not already in; they need to size up before the soil gets hot in May.

Tomato transplants (mid to late month)Solanum lycopersicum

Set out once your last frost has passed, with frost cloth ready for a cold night. Early and heat-setting varieties give the most fruit before summer.

Pepper and eggplant transplants (late month)

They want warmer soil than tomatoes; put them out at the end of the month or in early March.

Lettuce, carrots, beets, radish

Last good sowings before heat makes them bolt or turn bitter. Pick quick varieties.

Bush beans and summer squash (end of month)

Direct-sow after the last frost, when the soil reaches about 60°F (16°C).

Timing notes

  • USDA zones measure the coldest winter night, not frost dates. Look up the average last frost for your own town and count from that, not from the zone number.
  • In the low desert (Phoenix, Tucson) February is prime planting time; along the Gulf Coast, wet soil is the bigger risk, so plant into raised rows or beds.
  • Plant early rather than late: a tomato set out in late February has about three months of fruiting weather; one set out in April may have six weeks.
Frost dates and a seed-starting schedule for your ZIP code Free calculator from NOAA station records: last spring frost, first fall frost, and what to start each week. ← All planting guides