When to Plant Begonias in USDA Zone 11a
Your June game plan for Zone 11a
Your garden in Zone 11a is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.
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Survive, don't thrive
June-August is endurance gardening. Keep okra, peppers, sweet potatoes, and southern peas alive. Harvest everything daily before the heat damages produce on the vine.
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Start fall tomato seeds indoors
Yes, indoors — under lights or in AC. They'll be ready to transplant in August when temperatures briefly moderate.
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Add compost to empty beds
Empty beds get a thick layer of compost + mulch to suppress weeds and feed the soil for fall planting.
Wax begonias (Begonia × semperflorens) are the workhorse shade bedding plant of American horticulture, offering continuous bloom from transplant to hard frost. Bronze or green-leaved varieties perform well from deep shade to full sun (in northern zones) and tolerate summer humidity better than most cool- season flowers. A staple of mass plantings, containers, and window boxes.
In Zone 11a, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Begonias Planting Timeline — Zone 11a
Where Is USDA Zone 11a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 11a. Click any state to see the Begonias planting schedule for that location.
Begonias Planting Calendar — Zone 11a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | October 23 | Oct 23 – Nov 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | November 6 | Nov 6 – Nov 20 |
| Bloom | January 15 | Jan 15 – Oct 8 |
· 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Bloom |
| February | Bloom |
| March | Bloom |
| April | Bloom |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Start Indoors Bloom |
| November | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors |
| December | — |
Free Zone 11a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 11a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
70–90 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 6.5
Zone Temperature Range
40°F to 45°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
365 days (Zone 11a average)
Planting Specifications
| Plant Spacing | 10 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Begonias in Zone 11a
Sow every 8 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Begonias in Zone 11a
Zone 11a offers a long growing season (~365 days). You can plant Begonias earlier and may get multiple harvests.
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine; surface-sow on moist mix under lights, do not cover. Bottom heat (70–75°F) speeds germination. Transplant after frost; begonias are not direct-sown in practice. Pinch seedlings once for branching. Keep soil evenly moist; avoid waterlogged conditions. Bronze-leaf types tolerate more sun; green- leaf types prefer shade to part-sun.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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Saving Begonias Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Begonias in Other Zones
Begonias by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Begonias in Zone 11a?
In Zone 11a, plan your Begonias planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around October 23. Transplant seedlings around November 6.
Can Begonias grow in Zone 11a?
Yes, Begonias can grow well in Zone 11a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 11a has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Begonias (70-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Begonias in Zone 11a?
In Zone 11a, expect to harvest Begonias from January 15 – October 8. Begonias takes 70-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 11a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 11a is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Begonias?
Good companion plants for Begonias include Impatiens, Lobelia, Sweet Alyssum, Ferns. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 11a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 11a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.