We’ve put together this vegetable gardening guide for USDA zones 9-10 to bring together details of seed sowing, transplanting, planting and harvesting information for over 40 vegetables.
You should read this guide with our monthly vegetable gardening calendar – USDA zones 9-10, which sets out all you sowing, planting and harvesting task on a month by month basis.
Key Features of Vegetable Gardening in Zones 9-10:
- Year-round Growing Season: With mild winters and very hot summers, the growing calendar is essentially flipped compared to northern zones. The main growing seasons are fall, winter, and spring, with a slowdown or pause during the intense summer heat.
- Two Distinct Planting Windows: Many vegetables can be grown in both spring and fall plantings, with a summer gap when it’s too hot for many crops to thrive.
- Winter as Prime Growing Season: Many cool-season crops that are grown in summer in northern zones are winter crops in zones 9-10, including broccoli, lettuce, peas, and spinach.
- Heat Management Critical: Successful summer gardening requires strategies to manage extreme heat, including shade cloth, appropriate timing, heat-tolerant varieties, and consistent irrigation.
- Longer Production Periods: Heat-loving crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant can produce for extended periods (sometimes 6+ months) with proper care.
The Vegetable-by-Vegetable Guide:
This guide provides detailed information for each vegetable including:
- Optimal sowing windows (often with both spring and fall options)
- Transplanting schedules
- Extended harvest periods
- Heat-tolerant variety recommendations
- Special techniques for managing extreme heat
- Strategies for year-round production
Amaranth (Callaloo)
Sow: Mar-Oct (direct outdoors)
Transplant: Not necessary (direct sow preferred)
Harvest: Year-round, 3-4 weeks after sowing
Popular leafy green in Caribbean and African cuisines. Both leaves and young stems are edible. Heat-loving and thrives during summer when other greens fail. ‘Green Callaloo’ and ‘Red Callaloo’ varieties are common. Cut-and-come-again harvesting extends production. Self-seeds readily in warm climates.
Aubergine (Eggplant)
Sow: Dec-Feb (indoors); Feb-Apr (outdoors after soil warms)
Transplant: Feb-Apr (after soil has warmed)
Harvest: May-Nov Eggplants thrive in hot weather.
In zones 9-10, they can produce for extended periods. Plant multiple successions for continuous harvest. Heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Florida Market’, ‘Black Beauty’, and ‘Ichiban’ perform well.
Consider afternoon shade in hottest regions. Disease resistance is important, especially to verticillium wilt.
Beans (Long/Yard-Long/Asparagus Beans)
Sow: Feb-Apr (spring crop); Aug-Sep (fall crop)
Transplant: Not recommended (direct sow)
Harvest: Apr-Jul (spring planting); Oct-Dec (fall planting)
These Asian beans tolerate heat better than common green beans. ‘Red Noodle’, ‘Green Noodle’, and ‘Thai Purple’ yard-long beans thrive in summer heat. Provide trellising for these vigorous climbers. Harvest when pods are pencil-thin for best flavor, usually when 12-18 inches long.
Beans (Bush and Pole)
Sow: Feb-Apr (spring crop); Aug-Sep (fall crop)
Transplant: Mar-Apr (spring seedlings); Sep (fall seedlings)
Harvest: Apr-Jul (spring planting); Oct-Dec (fall planting)
Beans can be grown as both spring and fall crops in zones 9-10, avoiding the extreme heat of midsummer when flowers may drop without setting pods. Bush beans like ‘Contender’ and ‘Provider’ work for spring; ‘Romano’ and ‘Kentucky Wonder’ pole beans are good for fall. Provide afternoon shade in hottest areas.
Beetroot (Beets)
Sow: Sep-Mar (direct outdoors)
Transplant: Oct-Mar (if started in cells)
Harvest: Nov-Jun
Beets are grown as a cool-season crop in zones 9-10. Summer plantings generally fail due to heat. Varieties like ‘Detroit Dark Red’ and ‘Chioggia’ perform well. Succession plant every 3-4 weeks during the growing season. Heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Lutz Green Leaf’ can extend the season.
Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd)
Sow: Feb-Aug (direct outdoors or in pots)
Transplant: When seedlings have 2-3 true leaves
Harvest: 8-12 weeks after sowing
Popular in Asian and Caribbean cuisines. ‘Chinese Bitter Melon’ (larger, lighter green) and ‘Indian Bitter Melon’ (smaller, darker green with pointed tubercles) are common types. Requires trellising. Very heat and humidity tolerant. Harvest when fruits are still immature for less bitterness. Thrives during hot summer months.
Broccoli (Calabrese)
Sow: Aug-Feb (outdoors or indoors)
Transplant: Sep-Mar
Harvest: Nov-May
Broccoli is strictly a fall/winter/spring crop in zones 9-10. Summer heat causes bolting and bitter flavor. Heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Belstar F1’, ‘Green Magic’, and ‘Arcadia’ can extend the season. Succession plant for continuous harvest. Provide shade during early fall while temperatures are still high.
Broccoli – Purple Sprouting
Sow: Aug-Oct (outdoors or indoors)
Transplant: Sep-Nov
Harvest: Jan-Apr
Purple sprouting broccoli performs well as a winter crop in zones 9-10. Plant in fall for winter/early spring harvest. Since winters are mild, it often produces earlier than in cooler regions.
Brussels Sprouts
Sow: Aug-Oct (indoors or outdoors)
Transplant: Sep-Nov
Harvest: Dec-Mar
Brussels sprouts need cool weather to develop good flavor. In zones 9-10, they are grown over the winter. Plant in fall for winter harvest. Varieties like ‘Churchill’ and ‘Diablo’ perform relatively well in warmer winters. The plants are tall, so protect from wind.
Cabbage – Spring
Sow: Sep-Jan (outdoors or indoors)
Transplant: Oct-Feb
Harvest: Jan-Apr
In zones 9-10, “spring” cabbage is actually grown through the mild winter. Quick-maturing varieties work best. ‘Early Jersey Wakefield’ and ‘Golden Acre’ are good choices. Harvest before warm weather causes splitting.
Cabbage – Summer
Sow: Jan-Feb (outdoors or indoors)
Transplant: Feb-Mar
Harvest: Apr-Jun
Heat-resistant varieties must be used for late spring/early summer harvest. ‘Stonehead’ and ‘Copenhagen Market’ can work if planted early enough to mature before intense heat. Provide afternoon shade in hottest regions.
Cabbage – Red/Savoy (Autumn)
Sow: Jul-Sep (indoors)
Transplant: Aug-Oct
Harvest: Oct-Feb
Fall planting for winter harvest works well in zones 9-10. Red varieties like ‘Ruby Perfection’ and Savoy types like ‘Savoy Ace’ develop good color and flavor in cool winter conditions. These types are more heat-tolerant than other cabbages.
Carrots
Sow: Sep-Mar (direct outdoors)
Transplant: Not recommended (direct sow only)
Harvest: Dec-Jun
Carrots are a cool-season crop in zones 9-10. ‘Danvers’, ‘Nantes’, and ‘Chantenay’ varieties perform well. For hotter regions, ‘Nantes’ types are more heat-tolerant. Shade cloth can extend the season. Keep soil consistently moist for good germination. Avoid summer planting as heat causes bitter, stunted roots.
Cauliflower – Winter*
Sow: Aug-Oct (indoors or outdoors)
Transplant: Sep-Nov
Harvest: Dec-Mar
Cauliflower is grown as a winter crop in warm zones and can be challenging. Self-blanching varieties like ‘Snowball’ work well. Plant in fall for winter harvest. Provide shade if temperatures rise during head formation. Heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Fremont’ and ‘Veronica’ (romanesco type) perform better in zones 9-10.
Cauliflower – Spring*
Sow: Nov-Jan (indoors or outdoors)
Transplant: Dec-Feb
Harvest: Mar-May
For spring harvest, plant in winter. ‘Snow Crown’ and other heat-tolerant varieties work best. Harvest before summer heat causes loose, discolored heads. Cauliflower is sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so consistent conditions are important.
Celery*
Sow: Jul-Sep (indoors)
Transplant: Sep-Oct
Harvest: Dec-Apr
Celery is challenging in zones 9-10 but can be grown as a winter crop with attention to consistent moisture and temperature. ‘Tall Utah’ and ‘Conquistador’ perform relatively well. Stringiness and bitterness develop quickly in heat, so harvest promptly when mature. Self-blanching varieties are easier for home gardeners.
Chard (Swiss Chard)
Sow: Sep-Apr (direct outdoors)
Transplant: Oct-Apr (if started in cells)
Harvest: Year-round with summer shade
Chard is remarkably adaptable in zones 9-10. It can be grown nearly year-round with afternoon shade and consistent water during summer. ‘Bright Lights’ and ‘Fordhook Giant’ are heat-tolerant. Cut-and-come-again harvesting extends production.
Zucchini (Courgettes/Marrows)
Sow: Feb-Apr (spring crop); Aug-Sep (fall crop)
Transplant: Mar-Apr (spring seedlings); Sep (fall seedlings)
Harvest: Apr-Jul (spring planting); Oct-Dec (fall planting)
Zucchini can be grown as both spring and fall crops in zones 9-10, avoiding the extreme heat of midsummer when plants decline. Powdery mildew resistant varieties like ‘Dunja’ and ‘Desert’ are recommended. Look for virus-resistant varieties for extended harvest.
Cucumbers
Sow: Feb-Apr (spring crop); Aug-Sep (fall crop)
Transplant: Mar-Apr (spring seedlings); Sep (fall seedlings)
Harvest: Apr-Jul (spring planting); Oct-Dec (fall planting)
Grow cucumbers in spring and fall, avoiding midsummer heat which causes bitterness and plant decline. Heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Armenian’ and ‘Marketmore 76’ perform well. Disease resistance is important in humid areas. Trellising improves air circulation and reduces disease.
Garlic
Sow: Oct-Dec (plant cloves)
Harvest: May-Jul
Softneck varieties perform better in zones 9-10 than hardnecks, which need more winter chill. ‘California Early’, ‘California Late’, and ‘Inchelium Red’ are adapted to milder winters. Plant in fall for late spring/early summer harvest.
Kohl Rabi
Sow: Sep-Feb (direct outdoors)
Transplant: Oct-Mar (if started in cells)
Harvest: Nov-May
Kohl rabi is grown as a cool-season crop. ‘Early White Vienna’ and ‘Purple Vienna’ mature quickly. Harvest when bulbs are 2-3 inches in diameter to prevent woodiness. Succession plant every 3-4 weeks during the growing season.
Leeks
Sow: Aug-Nov (indoors or outdoors)
Transplant: Sep-Dec
Harvest: Dec-May
Leeks are grown as a winter crop in zones 9-10. Heat-tolerant varieties like ‘King Richard’ and ‘Carentan’ perform best. Plant in fall for winter/spring harvest. Consistent moisture produces tender stems. They struggle during summer heat, so harvest before temperatures rise.
Lettuce
Sow: Sep-Mar (direct outdoors)
Transplant: Oct-Mar (if started in cells)
Harvest: Oct-May
Lettuce is strictly a cool-season crop in zones 9-10. Heat causes bitter flavor and bolting. Use heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Nevada’, ‘Jericho’, and ‘Summer Crisp’ for early spring and fall planting. Provide shade as weather warms. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
Luffa (Loofah)
Sow: Feb-Jul (direct or in pots)
Transplant: When seedlings have 2-3 true leaves
Harvest: For edible use: 4-7 days after flowering; For sponges: when fully mature and dried
Dual-purpose vegetable. Young fruits are edible; mature dried fruits become natural sponges. ‘Smooth Luffa’ and ‘Ridged Luffa’ are common varieties. Vigorous vine that needs strong trellising. Very heat and humidity tolerant. Thrives in the long, hot summers of zones 9-10.
Malabar Spinach
Sow: Mar-Sep (direct or in pots)
Transplant: When seedlings have 3-4 true leaves
Harvest: Year-round in zones 9-10, cut-and-come-again
Heat-loving leafy green that thrives when true spinach fails. ‘Red Stem’ and ‘Green Stem’ varieties are available. Climbing vine that benefits from trellising. Not related to true spinach but used similarly. Can be perennial in zones 9-10. Excellent summer green when most others have bolted.
Melons
Sow: Feb-Apr (indoors); Mar-Jun (outdoors once soil warms)
Transplant: Mar-May
Harvest: Jun-Oct Melons thrive in the heat of zones 9-10.
Direct seeding works well once soil is warm. Disease resistance is important, especially in humid areas. Try ‘Ambrosia’ cantaloupe, ‘Sugar Baby’ watermelon, or ‘Honey Dew Green Flesh’. Succession plant for continuous harvest.
Kale
Sow: Sep-Feb (direct outdoors)
Transplant: Oct-Mar (if started in cells)
Harvest: Nov-May Kale is grown as a fall/winter/spring crop in zones 9-10.
Heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Lacinato’ (Dinosaur) and ‘Red Russian’ can extend the season. Provide afternoon shade as temperatures rise. Portuguese kale (Tronchuda Beira) is more heat-tolerant than other types.
New Zealand Spinach
Sow: Mar-Sep (direct outdoors)
Transplant: When seedlings have 3-4 true leaves
Harvest: Year-round in zones 9-10
Not true spinach but used similarly. Extremely heat tolerant and thrives in summer when true spinach fails. Can be grown as a perennial in zones 9-10. Harvest young growing tips regularly to encourage bushiness. Excellent substitute for spinach in hot weather.
Okra
Sow: Mar-Jul (direct outdoors when soil is warm)
Transplant: When seedlings have 3-4 true leaves
Harvest: 50-60 days after sowing, continuous through summer and fall
Tropical plant that thrives in hot, humid conditions. ‘Clemson Spineless’, ‘Burgundy’, and ‘Star of David’ perform well. Harvest pods when 2-4 inches long for tenderness. Can grow 6-8 feet tall and produce for many months in zones 9-10. One of the most heat-tolerant vegetables available.
Onions
Sow: Sep-Nov (outdoors or indoors)
Transplant: Nov-Jan
Harvest: Apr-Jun
Use short-day onion varieties in zones 9-10, which form bulbs during the shorter days of winter/early spring. ‘Texas Early Grano’, ‘Yellow Granex’ (Vidalia type), and ‘Red Creole’ perform well. Plant in fall for spring harvest.
Spring Onions (Scallions)
Sow: Sep-Mar (direct outdoors)
Harvest: Year-round with summer shade
Scallions can be grown nearly year-round in zones 9-10 with summer shade and consistent water. ‘Evergreen Hardy White’ and ‘Tokyo Long White’ are reliable varieties. Succession plant every 3-4 weeks for continuous harvest.
Parsnips*
Sow: Sep-Nov (direct outdoors)
Transplant: Not recommended (direct sow only)
Harvest: Jan-Apr
Parsnips require cool temperatures for good flavor development. In zones 9-10, they’re grown over winter. ‘Hollow Crown’ and ‘Harris Model’ are traditional varieties. Germination can be challenging in warm soil; pre-sprouting seeds or mixing with radish seeds can help. They struggle significantly in these zones and require careful timing.
Peas
Sow: Sep-Feb (direct outdoors)
Transplant: Oct-Feb (if started in cells)
Harvest: Nov-May
Peas are a cool-season crop in zones 9-10. Heat causes plants to stop producing. ‘Sugar Snap’, ‘Oregon Sugar Pod II’, and ‘Little Marvel’ perform well. Succession plant every 3-4 weeks during the growing season. Provide trellising for climbing varieties.
Peppers (Sweet & Chilli)
Sow: Dec-Feb (indoors); Feb-Apr (outdoors once soil warms)
Transplant: Feb-Apr
Harvest: May-Nov
Peppers thrive in zones 9-10 and can produce for extended periods. Disease resistance is important, especially in humid areas. ‘California Wonder’, ‘Gypsy’, and ‘Sweet Banana’ are reliable sweet peppers. For hot peppers, ‘Jalapeño’, ‘Cayenne’, and ‘Ancho/Poblano’ perform well. Provide afternoon shade in hottest regions.
Potatoes
Plant: Jan-Feb (spring crop); Sep-Oct (fall crop)
Harvest: Apr-Jun (spring planting); Dec-Feb (fall planting)
In zones 9-10, potatoes are grown as both spring and fall crops, avoiding summer heat. ‘Red Pontiac’, ‘Yukon Gold’, and ‘Kennebec’ perform well. Use certified disease-free seed potatoes. Mulch heavily to keep soil cool.
Pumpkins/Squash
Sow: Feb-Apr (spring crop); Jul-Aug (fall crop)
Transplant: Mar-Apr (spring seedlings); Aug-Sep (fall seedlings)
Harvest: Jun-Aug (spring planting); Oct-Dec (fall planting)
Winter squash and pumpkins can be grown as both spring and fall crops in zones 9-10. For spring planting, try ‘Buttercup’, ‘Butternut’, and ‘Sugar Pie’ pumpkins. Disease resistance is important in humid areas. Provide plenty of space for vining types or choose bush varieties for small gardens.
Radish
Sow: Sep-Apr (direct outdoors)
Harvest: Year-round with summer shade
Radishes mature quickly and can be grown throughout the cooler months. ‘Cherry Belle’, ‘French Breakfast’, and ‘White Icicle’ are good choices. Heat causes pithiness and strong flavor. Succession plant every 1-2 weeks during the growing season.
Rocket (Arugula)
Sow: Sep-Mar (direct outdoors)
Harvest: Oct-May
Arugula is a cool-season crop in zones 9-10. Heat causes bitter flavor and bolting. ‘Astro’ and ‘Sylvetta’ (wild arugula) are good varieties. Provide shade as weather warms. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
Roselle (Sorrel/Hibiscus)
Sow: Mar-Jun (direct or in pots)
Transplant: When seedlings have 4-5 true leaves
Harvest: Calyces: 3-4 weeks after flowering; Leaves: throughout growing season
Grown for edible calyces (used for teas, drinks, and preserves) and leaves. ‘Thai Red’ and ‘Victor’ are productive varieties. Plants grow 4-7 feet tall. Extremely heat tolerant and resistant to most pests. Perfect for southern portions of zones 9-10.
Spinach*
Sow: Sep-Feb (direct outdoors)
Harvest: Oct-Apr
True spinach is strictly a cool-season crop in zones 9-10 and extremely challenging in summer when it immediately bolts. ‘Bloomsdale’ and ‘Space’ are reliable varieties for the cooler months. For summer “spinach,” grow heat-tolerant alternatives like Malabar spinach or New Zealand spinach, which aren’t true spinach but provide similar greens.
Sweet Corn
Sow: Feb-Apr (spring crop); Jul-Aug (fall crop)
Transplant: Mar-Apr (spring seedlings); Aug-Sep (fall seedlings, though direct sowing preferred)
Harvest: May-Jul (spring planting); Oct-Dec (fall planting)
Sweet corn can be grown as both spring and fall crops in zones 9-10. ‘Silver Queen’, ‘Honey ‘n Pearl’, and ‘Sweet G-90’ perform well. Plant in blocks rather than rows for better pollination. Successive plantings every 2-3 weeks extend harvest.
Sweet Potatoes
Plant: Mar-Jun
Harvest: 3-5 months after planting
Grow from slips (rooted sprouts) or vine cuttings. ‘Beauregard’, ‘Jewel’, and ‘Georgia Jet’ perform well in zones 9-10. Can be grown continuously in rotation. Both roots and young leaves/shoots are edible. Very heat and humidity tolerant.
Tomatoes
Sow: Dec-Feb (indoors); Feb-Apr (outdoors after soil warms)
Transplant: Feb-Apr (spring crop); Aug-Sep (fall crop)
Harvest: May-Jul (spring planting); Oct-Dec (fall planting)
In zones 9-10, tomatoes are grown as both spring and fall crops, with a summer gap when heat causes blossom drop and poor fruit set. Heat-tolerant varieties include ‘Solar Fire’, ‘Heatwave II’, and ‘Arkansas Traveler’. Cherry tomatoes like ‘Sweet 100’ and ‘Sungold’ often produce longer into hot weather. Disease resistance is critical, especially to Fusarium, Verticillium, and nematodes. For fall planting, choose early-maturing varieties.
Turnips
Sow: Sep-Feb (direct outdoors)
Harvest: Nov-Apr
Turnips are grown as a cool-season crop. ‘Purple Top White Globe’ and ‘Tokyo Cross’ mature quickly. Harvest when small (2-3 inches) for tender roots. Succession plant every 3-4 weeks during the growing season. Turnip greens can be harvested even before roots form.
Swedes (Rutabaga)
Sow: Sep-Nov (direct outdoors)
Harvest: Dec-Mar
Rutabagas need cool temperatures for good flavor development. In zones 9-10, they’re grown over winter. ‘American Purple Top’ and ‘Laurentian’ are reliable varieties. They take longer to mature than turnips but store better. More challenging than turnips in these zones due to their longer growing season and heat sensitivity.
*Vegetables to Approach with Caution in Zones 9-10
The following vegetables require special attention or specific timing in zones 9-10:
- Celery/Celeriac: Extremely challenging outside the coolest months; stringiness and bitterness develop quickly in heat
- Parsnips: Difficult germination in warm soil; flavor development requires consistent cool temperatures
- Spinach: True spinach bolts almost immediately in warm weather; use heat-tolerant alternatives for summer
- Cauliflower: Very temperature sensitive; choose heat-tolerant varieties and provide consistent conditions
Vegetable Gardening Guide Resources
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and gardener for more than 20 years and loves to talk and write about gardening. In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition. He is a member of the National dahlia Society.
He previously lived in London and Sydney, Australia, where he took a diploma course in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland. He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012. The website is aimed at everybody who loves plants or has been bitten by the gardening bug and wants to know more.
Gardening Step by Step has been cited by Thompson and Morgan, the UK’s largest mail order plant retailer, as a website that publishes expert gardening content.