Lucky Cat Gardens — What I’m Planting Nov–Dec in Zone 9b header

What I’m Planting in This Winter (Zone 9b)

Cool nights, mild days, and soil that holds moisture—this is prime time in Zone 9b. Here’s exactly what I’m sowing and why it thrives now: carrots, kale, lettuce, cilantro (and other herbs), radishes, plus sugar snap peas and nasturtiums climbing the trellis.

Printable Planting Guide (Nov–Dec)

Keep this on your fridge for quick spacing, sowing, and timing reference.

Download the Planting Guide (PDF)

Why Winter Is So Good in Zone 9b

  • Right temperatures: Many cool-season crops germinate best when soil sits ~50–70°F and daytime highs are mild.
  • Better texture & flavor: Brassicas and leafy greens get sweeter and less bitter in cooler weather.
  • Lower pest pressure: Heat-loving pests slow down—easier to stay ahead with light IPM (Integrated Pest Management).
  • Water efficiency: Shorter days reduce stress and evaporation—seedlings establish faster.
  • Frost note: Light frosts are rare but possible—keep frost cloth ready for lettuce, nasturtiums, and tender herbs.

If soil temps dip, germination may slow—be patient or use row cover to bump warmth a touch.

Direct Sow: Carrots & Radishes

Carrots

Sow: directSpacing: thin to 2–3"Depth: ¼"Days: 60–80
  • Cool soil (ideally ~55–70°F) + consistent surface moisture = even germination.
  • Use a fine seed bed; cover lightly. Keep the top ½" moist (a “board cover” or shade cloth helps).
  • Thin early for straight roots; avoid heavy nitrogen (prevents forked roots).

Radishes

Sow: directSpacing: 2"Depth: ½"Days: 25–35
  • Fast, forgiving, and cold-tolerant—great interplant between slower crops.
  • Keep evenly moist to avoid pithy roots; harvest on time for best texture.

Kale & Lettuce (Seed or Transplant)

Kale

Sow: seed or startsSpacing: 12–18"Depth: ¼–½"
  • Loves the cool—leaves are sweetest now. Partial afternoon sun is perfect.
  • Side-dress with a balanced organic fertilizer; harvest outer leaves “cut-and-come-again.”

Lettuce

Sow: seed or startsSpacing: 6–10"Depth: ⅛–¼"
  • Cool temps prevent bolting—great time for butterheads, romaine, and loose-leaf blends.
  • Keep soil consistently moist; protect from surprise frost with row cover.
Video segment: I trimmed the cores from store-bought artisan lettuces and placed them in water to root before planting in the garden. Change water daily, keep the base just touching water (not submerged), and pot up once roots appear. Expect steady leaf harvests rather than full heads.

Cilantro (or Other Cool-Season Herbs)

Sow: direct or pre-sproutSpacing: 6–8"Depth: ¼"
  • Cilantro prefers cool weather and short days—fall/winter plantings are slower to bolt and taste better.
  • Keep evenly moist; light mulch helps stabilize soil temps.

Pro Tip: Pre-Sprout Cilantro in a Moist Paper Towel

  1. Gently crack the “seed”—it’s actually two seeds (a mericarp) stuck together.
  2. Place in a damp paper towel inside a vented bag; keep at room temp (not hot).
  3. Check daily; when the tiny root (radicle) reaches ~⅛–¼", transplant into the bed ¼" deep.
Why this works: Cilantro has a tough outer coat and can be slow to imbibe water in soil that dries at the surface. Pre-sprouting gives uniform moisture and oxygen, bypasses the hard coat delay, and ensures you only plant viable, already-awake seeds.

Trellis Team: Sugar Snap Peas & Nasturtiums

Sugar Snap Peas

Sow: direct along trellisSpacing: 3–4"Depth: 1"Days: 60–70
  • Cool soil boosts germination; soaking seeds 6–8 hours helps if soil is dry/cool.
  • Train early on your trellis; keep evenly moist—peas dislike heat and drought swings.

Nasturtiums

Sow: directSpacing: 8–12"Depth: ½"
  • They love the shoulder seasons here—edible leaves/flowers and natural pest distraction.
  • Protect from a hard frost; choose trailing types to weave into the trellis for a living accent.

How I’m Laying Out the Bed

  • Trellis side: A single row of sugar snap peas 3–4" apart; interplant nasturtiums every 12".
  • Front/middle: Blocks of lettuce and kale with pathways to harvest; cilantro tucked on the cooler side.
  • Between rows: Radish bands for quick harvests; carrots in dedicated strips where watering is easiest to keep even.

Mulch lightly after seedlings establish; watch forecasts and cover tender crops if temps dip to freezing.

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