What to plant in January in zone 9b
55 crops to start indoors, direct sow, or transplant in January in USDA hardiness zone 9b. Typical last spring frost around Feb 2, 2026, first fall frost around Dec 2, 2026 — exact dates vary by location within the zone.
Zone 9b covers a lot of ground. Enter your ZIP for January dates from your nearest weather station and a month-by-month calendar:
Start indoors
Sow these under lights or on a windowsill now for transplants later.
- Amaranth
- Amaranthus
- Basil
- Black Cumin / Nigella
- Burdock
- Calendula
- Cape Gooseberry
- Chamomile
- Chiltepin Pepper
- Chinese Toon
- Chrysanthemum Greens
- Dandelion
- Eggplant
- Epazote
- Ethiopian Eggplant
- Ethiopian Kale
- Feverfew
- Grain Amaranth
- Ground Cherry
- Holy Basil
- Huauzontle
- Korean Mint
- Lemon Basil
- Lime Basil
- Malabar Spinach
- Misome
- Orach
- Pepper (Hot)
- Pepper (Tabasco)
- Roselle
- Shiso
- Strawberry Spinach
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Annie
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Water Pepper
- Winged Bean
- Yarrow
Direct sow outside
Sow these straight into the garden bed this month.
Transplant outdoors
Move these hardened-off seedlings into the garden.
Keep going
Timings use NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for a representative location (ZIP 94271) in zone 9b, computed with the same engine as GardenDraft’s in-app schedule. Guidance, not guarantees — your exact dates depend on your address.