Zucchini in Zone 11a & 11b
Cucurbita pepo
When to plant zucchini in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Zucchini tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Dec 11–Dec 18 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 8–Jan 15 |
| Estimated harvest | Feb 27–Mar 6 (~50 days after planting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.

Zucchini's reputation for overwhelming a garden is well-earned: a single healthy plant can produce more squash than most households can eat, which is exactly why our planting calendar puts just one plant per square foot rather than clustering several together.
How zucchini fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free in this dataset, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Good companions
- Marigold: Marigolds deter squash bugs and beetles.
- Nasturtium: Nasturtium is a trap crop that draws aphids away from squash.
Where to buy zucchini seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing zucchini" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Zucchini in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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