Plant Zucchini in Zone 12b
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 12b
Zone 12b is effectively frost-free, so the Zone 12b calendar for zucchini is set by heat, not cold. There is no last frost to count backward from and no first frost to beat, which means the question is not whether zucchini will finish but whether it will sit through the hottest stretch of the year. Zucchini is a tender crop needing about 55 days from sowing to harvest.
Planting zucchini for a fall harvest in Zone 12b
Zone 12b has no meaningful frost, so the fall and winter months are the easiest time of year to grow zucchini here. Sow from about October 1 onward.
One midsummer sowing of zucchini replaces the spring plants right as squash vine borer takes them out.
Fall dates are counted backward from the Zone 12b average first frost, not forward from a sowing date. See the fall planting calendar by zone for the full method.
Spring vs fall zucchini in Zone 12b
| Planting | Sow or start | In the ground | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Feb 1 | Feb 1 | Mar 28 |
| Fall | Oct onward | Oct onward | Winter |
Zucchini in nearby zones
Further reading on zucchini
- When to start seeds indoors by zone
Indoor start dates for zucchini, counted back from your last frost.
- Hardening off seedlings: a schedule
A day by day plan for moving zucchini seedlings outdoors.
- Best grow lights for seed starting
What light seedlings actually need, and which fixtures deliver it.
Other crops in Zone 12b
Frequently asked questions
When should I start zucchini in Zone 12b?
Direct sow outdoors around Feb 1.
Can I direct sow zucchini in Zone 12b?
Yes, direct sow around Feb 1.
Can I plant zucchini in the fall in Zone 12b?
Zone 12b has no meaningful frost, so the fall and winter months are the easiest time of year to grow zucchini here. Sow from about October 1 onward.
Will zucchini survive frost in Zone 12b?
No. Zucchini is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 12b planting has to finish before the average first frost (Zone 12b rarely sees one).