Zone 11a Planting Calendar
Zone 11a has an average minimum temperature range of 40°F to 45°F. The average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you approximately 364 days in the growing season.
There are 91 plants in our database that grow well in Zone 11a.
Zone 11a
Year-round
364 days
Last Spring Frost
January 1
➔
364 growing days
➔
First Fall Frost
December 31
Zone 11a
Frost Countdown
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Last Frost: Jan 1
First Frost: Dec 31
States That Include Zone 11a
Many states span multiple zones. The states highlighted below contain areas classified as Zone 11a.
Growing Season Comparison
Growing Season by Zone
Zone 10a
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Zone 11a ◄
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Zone 1a
Jun 15 – Aug 15
Zone 1b
Jun 7 – Aug 25
Zone 2a
May 30 – Sep 1
Zone 2b
May 22 – Sep 10
Zone 3a
May 15 – Sep 15
Zone 4a
May 6 – Sep 28
Zone 5a
Apr 25 – Oct 8
Zone 5b
Apr 18 – Oct 13
Zone 6a
Apr 10 – Oct 20
Zone 6b
Apr 3 – Oct 25
Zone 7a
Mar 25 – Nov 1
Zone 7b
Mar 18 – Nov 8
Zone 8a
Mar 8 – Nov 18
Zone 8b
Feb 25 – Nov 28
Zone 9a
Feb 10 – Dec 10
0
90
180
270
365 days
What to Plant Right Now in Zone 11a
Based on April 2026 planting windows.
All Planting Windows at a Glance
This chart shows when to start, transplant, sow, and harvest every plant in Zone 11a.
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F
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Start Indoors
Transplant Outdoors
Direct Sow
Fall Sowing
Harvest
Vegetables for Zone 11a
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acorn Squash | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 2 – May 7 | 80–100 |
| Amaranth | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 28 | 90–120 |
| Artichoke | — | — | Jan 15 | May 21 – Jul 30 | 120–180 |
| Arugula | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Apr 9 | 30–50 |
| Beets | — | Dec 11 | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 | 50–70 |
| Bitter Melon | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | 60–90 |
| Black Beans | — | Jan 8 | — | Apr 9 – May 28 | 90–120 |
| Bok Choy | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 | 40–60 |
| Broccoli | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Mar 5 – Apr 16 | 60–90 |
| Butternut Squash | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 14 | 85–110 |
| Calabash | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 2 – May 28 | 80–120 |
| Chard | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 16 | 50–60 |
| Chayote | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | May 14 – Jul 23 | 120–180 |
| Chinese Cabbage | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | 50–70 |
| Christmas Lima Beans | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 2 – May 7 | 80–100 |
| Collard Greens | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 30 | 55–75 |
| Corn | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 12 – May 7 | 60–100 |
| Cowpeas | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | 60–90 |
| Cress | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Jan 15 – Feb 5 | 14–21 |
| Crookneck Squash | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | 45–60 |
| Cucumber | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 – Apr 30 | 50–70 |
| Daikon | — | Dec 11 | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 | 50–70 |
| Delicata Squash | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 2 – May 7 | 80–100 |
| Eggplant | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 19 – May 21 | 65–85 |
| Ginger | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Sep 10 – Nov 19 | 240–300 |
| Green Beans | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 5 – Apr 30 | 50–65 |
| Hot Peppers | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 19 – Jun 25 | 70–120 |
| Jicama | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | May 14 – Jul 23 | 120–180 |
| Kabocha | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 7 | 85–100 |
| Kai Lan | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | 45–60 |
| Kale | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 | 50–70 |
| Kidney Beans | — | Jan 8 | — | Apr 9 – May 14 | 85–110 |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 | 45–65 |
| Komatsuna | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Mar 12 | 35–50 |
| Lettuce | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Apr 16 | 30–60 |
| Lima Beans | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | 60–90 |
| Loofah | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 23 – Jun 25 | 100–150 |
| Luffa | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – Jun 25 | 90–150 |
| Malabar Spinach | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | 55–70 |
| Melon | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 19 – May 7 | 70–100 |
| Microgreens | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 – Feb 5 | 7–21 |
| Mizuna | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Mar 5 | 30–45 |
| Mustard Greens | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Apr 9 | 30–50 |
| Napa Cabbage | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 | 55–75 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | 55–70 |
| Okra | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 – Apr 30 | 50–65 |
| Pac Choi | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Mar 12 | 40–55 |
| Patty Pan Squash | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | 45–60 |
| Peas | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 | 55–70 |
| Peppers | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 | 60–90 |
| Pole Beans | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 – Apr 30 | 55–70 |
| Purslane | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 | 40–60 |
| Radish | — | Dec 11 | — | Jan 8 – Jan 29 | 22–35 |
| Scarlet Runner Beans | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – Apr 16 | 60–80 |
| Shiso | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 – Apr 30 | 50–70 |
| Snap Peas | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 – Apr 30 | 55–70 |
| Snow Peas | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 | 50–65 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 7 | 85–100 |
| Squash (Summer) | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Apr 30 | 45–65 |
| Squash (Winter) | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 2 – May 28 | 80–120 |
| Sunflower | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 19 – May 7 | 70–100 |
| Sweet Corn | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | 60–90 |
| Sweet Potatoes | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 28 | 90–120 |
| Tatsoi | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Mar 12 | 35–50 |
| Tomatillo | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 | 60–85 |
| Tomatoes | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 | 60–85 |
| Turmeric | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Sep 10 – Nov 19 | 240–300 |
| Watercress | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 | 40–60 |
| Watermelon | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 19 – May 7 | 70–100 |
| Wax Beans | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 5 – Apr 30 | 50–65 |
| Winter Melon | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 28 | 90–120 |
| Yam | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Jul 9 – Dec 24 | 180–330 |
| Yard Long Beans | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 – Apr 16 | 55–80 |
| Zucchini | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 | 45–60 |
Fruits for Zone 11a
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cantaloupe | — | — | Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | 70–90 |
| Dragon Fruit | — | — | Jan 15 | — | 365–730 |
| Figs | — | — | Jan 15 | — | 730–1825 |
| Ground Cherry | — | — | Jan 15 | Mar 26 – May 21 | 65–80 |
| Guava | — | — | Jan 15 | — | 365–730 |
| Honeydew | — | — | Jan 15 | Apr 9 – May 21 | 80–110 |
| Passion Fruit | — | — | Jan 15 | — | 365–545 |
Herbs for Zone 11a
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 – May 7 | 50–75 |
| Borage | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Dec 25 | Feb 19 – Apr 9 | 50–60 |
| Cilantro | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Dec 25 | Feb 5 – Apr 9 | 40–60 |
| Cumin | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Dec 25 | Apr 9 – Jun 11 | 100–120 |
| Dill | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Dec 25 | Feb 5 – Apr 9 | 40–60 |
| Epazote | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 | 45–60 |
| Lemon Verbena | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 | 60–90 |
| Lemongrass | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 26 – Jun 25 | 75–120 |
| Stevia | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 | 60–90 |
| Thai Basil | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 – May 7 | 50–75 |
Recommended for Your Garden
Garden Shade Cloth
$15-35
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Seed Starting Trays
$8-20
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Soil Test Kit
$12-25
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I grow in Zone 11a?
Zone 11a supports 91 plants in our database including vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers. With a 364-day growing season (last frost ~January 1, first frost ~December 31), you can grow most common garden crops with proper timing.
What is Zone 11a?
USDA Zone 11a has an average annual minimum temperature of 40°F to 45°F.
When is the last frost in Zone 11a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 11a is approximately January 1. The first fall frost averages around December 31, giving a growing season of about 364 days. These dates are based on 50% probability — plan for some year-to-year variation.
