When to Plant Saffron in Zone 9
In USDA zone 9a, plant outdoors October 13 to December 2, and expect your first harvest around December 2. Zone 9 also has a fall planting window opening around October 13. (9a shown here — see 9a and 9b dates separately below.)
Saffron planting calendar for USDA Zone 9a
Average last spring frost
March 1
Average first fall frost
December 1
Direct sow
Oct 13
Projected first harvest
Dec 2
Saffron needs about 50 days to mature — longer than zone 9atypically stays frost-free, so it likely won't reliably ripen there outdoors without a head start indoors or season extension.
Saffron planting calendar for USDA Zone 9b
Average last spring frost
February 15
Average first fall frost
December 15
Direct sow
Oct 27
Projected first harvest
Dec 16
Saffron needs about 50 days to mature — longer than zone 9btypically stays frost-free, so it likely won't reliably ripen there outdoors without a head start indoors or season extension.
Not sure whether you're in 9a or 9b? Set your ZIP in HomeSown for dates tuned to your exact location.
Varieties to grow
1 variety of saffron in the HomeSown library. Tap any for its full grow guide.
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