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Home California Planting Calendar | USDA Zones 5–10

California Planting Calendar | USDA Zones 5–10

Author: Jagdish Reddy | 10+ Years Sustainable Gardening Experience
Verification: Cross-referenced with USDA Climate Data & University Research
Status: Verified for current US regional growing conditions
Last Updated: April, 2026

California is a large state, and its regions have different gardening habits. Someone growing vegetables near the foggy North Coast will have an entirely different experience than someone planting a backyard bed in the Central Valley or a desert yard in Palm Springs. With that in mind, this California planting calendar is based on USDA zones, frost dates, and regional planting data so you can figure out when to plant in California by month without guessing or cross-checking multiple charts.

Rather than giving a single statewide date, the calendar sorts planting windows by zone because the best time to plant in California can shift by several months depending on where you live. Planting timing varies significantly across California growing zones—especially when they look at how early warm-season crops take off in Zones 9–10. To help with planning, this page also summarizes common California planting dates for vegetables, along with the usual seasonal crops and flowers that stay reliable year after year.

Whether you’re new to gardening or fine-tuning your timing, this layout offers a simple California seasonal planting schedule you can skim quickly. It gives enough detail to stay useful without turning into a long lecture. And once you understand your zone, this planting calendar for California gardens becomes a reference gardeners can use throughout the year.

The infographic below gives a quick snapshot of California’s planting zones, frost dates, and seasonal timing.

Infographic of the California Planting Calendar for USDA Zones 5–10 showing zone climates, frost dates, cool- and warm-season crops, watering needs, and monthly planting reminders.

California USDA Hardiness Zone Table

(If you’re not sure where you fall, this chart will help narrow things down. Most gardeners already have an idea, but zones surprise people occasionally.

California RegionUSDA Zones
Northern Mountains5–6
Northern Coast8–9
Central Coast9–10
Southern Coast9–10
Inland Valleys (Sacramento & San Joaquin)8–9
Southern Inland Valleys9–10
Desert Regions9–10

California Frost Date Chart

(These dates aren’t exact to the day, but gardeners usually learn their micro-climates with time.)

RegionLast Spring FrostFirst Fall Frost
Northern MountainsMay 15 – Jun 10Sep 20 – Oct 10
Northern CoastFeb 1 – Mar 1Nov 15 – Dec 15
Central CoastJan 1 – Feb 15Dec 10 – Jan 15
Southern CoastNear Frost-FreeNear Frost-Free
Inland ValleysFeb 15 – Mar 31Nov 10 – Dec 1
Southern Inland ValleysJan 20 – Feb 28Dec 5 – Jan 10
Desert RegionsJan 5 – Feb 10Dec 10 – Jan 10

California Climate Region Planting Table

(A quick look at why the state grows nearly everything if you time it right.)

Climate RegionZonesConditionsBest Planting Windows
Northern Mountains5–6Short, cool seasonLate spring through early fall
Northern Coast8–9Foggy and mildCool-season crops almost year-round
Central Coast9–10Gentle winters, steady warmthNearly year-round planting
Southern Coast9–10Frost-freeTwo warm seasons
Inland Valleys8–9Hot summersSpring and fall planting
Desert Areas9–10Intense heatEarly spring and fall

California Soil Preparation Chart for Vegetable Gardens

(Soils in this state swing wildly from sandy coastal pockets to stubborn clay inland, so amendments really do matter.)

RegionSoil TypeBest AmendmentsNotes
Coastal AreasSandyCompost, worm castings, biocharHelps soil hold moisture instead of draining instantly
Central ValleyClay-heavyCompost, gypsum, coarse sandMakes heavy soil workable and easier for roots
Mountain AreasRockyCompost, aged manure, mulchAdds organic matter and helps insulate
Desert RegionsAlkalineCompost, sulfur, thick mulchMulch reduces extreme evaporation

California Watering Calendar

(You’ll probably adjust this with experience, but these are solid starting points.)

RegionWatering FrequencyNotes
Coastal1–2× weeklyFog helps reduce water loss
Central Valley2–3× weeklySummer heat can be intense
Mountain Areas1–2× weeklyCooler nights slow evaporation
Desert3–4× weeklyFast-drying soils

California Heat & Frost Protection Chart

(A little preparation goes a long way during sudden weather swings.)

IssueZones AffectedHelpful Methods
Frost5–8Row covers, early indoor starts
Heat waves8–10Shade cloth, deep mulch
Coastal Fog8–9Choose quicker varieties
Desert Heat9–10Water at dawn, 40–60% shade

California Cool-Season Vegetable Planting Calendar (Zones 5–10)

(These are the plants that appreciate the cool side of California’s climate.)

VegetableZ5–6Z7Z8Z9Z10
BeetsApr–JunFeb–AprJan–MarJan–Feb, Oct–DecOct–Feb
BroccoliApr–JunFeb–AprJan–Mar, SepJan–Feb, Sep–NovSep–Jan
CabbageApr–JunFeb–AprJan–Mar, SepJan–Feb, Sep–NovSep–Jan
CarrotsApr–JunFeb–AprJan–Mar, SepJan–Mar, Oct–DecOct–Feb
CauliflowerApr–JunFeb–AprJan–Mar, SepJan–Feb, Sep–NovSep–Jan
KaleMar–JunFeb–AprJan–Mar, Sep–DecYear-roundYear-round
LettuceMar–JunFeb–AprJan–Mar, Sep–DecYear-roundYear-round
PeasApr–MayFeb–MarJan–MarJan–Feb, Oct–DecOct–Feb
RadishApr–JunFeb–AprJan–Mar, Sep–DecYear-roundYear-round
SpinachApr–JunFeb–AprJan–Mar, Sep–DecYear-roundYear-round

Garden Planner Tool

Plan your garden layout using this interactive planner. Enter your garden size to calculate plant spacing and planting timing based on this planting calendar.

Smart Garden Planner

Fill in your details below to generate a personalised planting report

01Location

02Garden Setup

03 Select Plants 0 / 8

No plants added yet. Select a category then a plant above.

04Growing Goal

Your personalised report appears below — no page reload

This planner helps turn the planting calendar above into a practical garden layout based on your available space.

California Warm-Season Vegetable Planting Calendar (Zones 5–10)

(These are the heat lovers that really take off once soil warms.)

VegetableZ5–6Z7Z8Z9Z10
BeansMay–JulApr–JunMar–JunMar–JulFeb–Jun
CornMay–JunApr–MayMar–MayMar–JunFeb–May
CucumbersMay–JunApr–MayMar–MayMar–JunFeb–May
EggplantJunMayAprApr–MayFeb–Apr
MelonsJunMayApr–MayApr–JunMar–May
OkraJun–JulMay–JunApr–JunApr–JulMar–Jun
PeppersJunMayAprAprFeb–Apr
PumpkinsMay–JunApr–MayAprApr–JunMar–May
Summer SquashMay–JunApr–MayMar–MayMar–JunFeb–May
Sweet PotatoesJunMayApr–MayApr–JunMar–Jun
TomatoesMay–JunAprMar–AprFeb–AprFeb–Mar

California Herb Planting Calendar

(Some herbs don’t mind heat; others bolt early—timing helps.)

HerbZ5–6Z7Z8Z9Z10
BasilJunMayApr–MayAprFeb–Apr
CilantroApr–JunMar–AprFeb–Apr, Oct–NovOct–FebOct–Feb
DillApr–JunMar–AprFeb–Apr, Oct–NovOct–FebOct–Feb
MintMay–SepApr–OctYear-roundYear-roundYear-round
OreganoMay–JunApr–MayMar–MayFeb–MayYear-round
ParsleyApr–JunMar–AprFeb–Apr, Oct–NovOct–FebOct–Feb
RosemaryMay–JunApr–MayMar–MayYear-roundYear-round
SageMay–JunApr–MayMar–MayMar–DecYear-round
ThymeMay–JunApr–MayMar–MayFeb–MayYear-round

California Flower Planting Calendar

Warm-Season Flowers

FlowerZ5–6Z7Z8Z9Z10
MarigoldMay–JunApr–MayMar–AprFeb–AprFeb–Mar
ZinniaMay–JunApr–MayMar–MayMar–JunFeb–Jun
SunflowerMay–JunApr–MayMar–MayMar–JunFeb–Jun

Cool-Season Flowers

FlowerZ5–6Z7Z8Z9Z10
PansyAug–SepSep–FebSep–FebSep–FebOct–Feb
ViolaAug–SepSep–FebSep–FebSep–FebOct–Feb
SnapdragonsAug–SepSep–MarSep–MarSep–MarOct–Mar
Sweet PeasAprFeb–MarJan–MarOct–FebOct–Feb
CalendulaAug–SepSep–FebSep–FebSep–FebOct–Feb

California Fruit and Berry Planting Calendar

(Fruit and berry trees like steady timing—this chart keeps it simple.)

FruitBest PlantingZones
AppleFeb–Apr5–9
PeachFeb–Apr6–9
PlumJan–Mar6–10
CitrusFeb–May9–10
FigFeb–Apr8–10
PomegranateFeb–Apr7–10
AvocadoMar–Jun9–10
BlueberriesDec–Feb5–10
RaspberriesJan–Mar5–9
GrapesJan–Mar6–10
StrawberriesOct–Feb8–10

California Native and Wildlife Plant Planting Calendar

Native plants use less water and support birds, bees, butterflies, and local ecology.

PlantPlanting WindowNotes
California PoppyOct–FebEasy annual; self-seeds
CeanothusOct–MarAttracts bees; drought-tolerant
ManzanitaOct–FebSupports hummingbirds
ToyonNov–JanBird-friendly red berries
Purple NeedlegrassNov–FebCalifornia’s state grass
Yarrow (native)Oct–AprPollinator magnet
MonkeyflowerOct–MarHummingbird favorite

California Container Planting Calendar

(Containers warm up faster, so timing shifts a bit.)

CropsBest Planting TimeZones
TomatoesMar–Jun8–10
LettuceSep–Apr8–10
PeppersApr–Jul8–10
Mixed HerbsYear-round8–10
CucumbersMar–Jun9–10

California Seed-Starting Calendar

CropIndoor StartTransplantNotes
TomatoesJan–MarFeb–AprEarlier in mild zones
PeppersJan–MarMar–MayLikes bottom heat
BroccoliNov–FebJan–MarGood for spring/fall
LettuceAnytimeAnytimeCool-loving
SquashFeb–AprMar–JunTransplant carefully

California Transplanting Calendar

CropTransplant WindowZones
TomatoesFeb–Apr8–10
PeppersMar–May8–10
EggplantApr–Jun8–10
CabbageJan–Mar8–10
BroccoliJan–Mar8–10

California Month-by-Month Vegetable Planting Calendar

California January Planting Calendar

CropZones
Lettuce8–10
Spinach8–10
Peas9–10
Carrots9–10
Beets9–10

California February Planting Calendar

CropZones
Tomatoes (start indoors)8–10
Lettuce8–10
Peas8–10
Broccoli8–10
Carrots9–10

California March Planting Calendar

CropZones
Tomatoes8–10
Peppers8–10
Squash8–10
Cucumbers9–10
Beans9–10

California April Planting Calendar

CropZones
Corn8–10
Melons8–10
Basil9–10
Zinnias8–10
Sunflowers8–10

California May Planting Calendar

CropZones
Okra8–10
Sweet Potatoes8–10
Pumpkins8–10
Cucumbers8–10
Peppers8–10

California June Planting Calendar

CropZones
Beans8–10
Corn8–10
Summer Squash8–10
Herbs9–10
Melons8–10

California July Planting Calendar

CropZones
Pumpkins8–10
Beans9–10
Basil9–10
Cucumbers9–10

California August Planting Calendar

CropZones
Lettuce8–10
Spinach8–10
Carrots8–10
Beets8–10
Radish8–10

California September Planting Calendar

CropZones
Broccoli8–10
Cabbage8–10
Kale8–10
Spinach8–10
Lettuce8–10

California October Planting Calendar

CropZones
Garlic8–10
Peas9–10
Lettuce8–10
Spinach8–10
Carrots9–10

California November Planting Calendar

CropZones
Garlic8–10
Fava Beans9–10
Kale8–10
Lettuce8–10
Radish8–10

California December Planting Calendar

CropZones
Lettuce9–10
Spinach9–10
Kale9–10
Radish9–10

California Harvest Calendar

CropHarvest WindowNotes
TomatoesMay–NovEarlier in warm zones
LettuceYear-roundPrefers cooler months
SquashJun–OctDepends on type
CitrusNov–AprZones 9–10
MelonsJun–SepWarm zones

California Pest & Disease Chart

Pest/DiseaseSeasonZonesNotes
AphidsSpring–Fall8–10Soft new growth
WhitefliesSummer9–10Hot weather surge
Tomato HornwormsSummer8–10Usually handpicked
Powdery MildewSpring–Fall8–10Humid coastal and inland
Leaf MinersYear-round9–10Affects citrus and greens

California Regional Planting Notes Table

RegionBest CropsNotes
Northern MountainsPeas, potatoes, kaleShort season; start early indoors
Northern CoastLettuce, broccoli, chardFog helps cool crops thrive
Central CoastHerbs, tomatoes, greensReliable year-round growth
Southern CoastCitrus, peppers, tomatoesFrost rarely interrupts planting
Inland ValleysMelons, corn, squashSpring and fall are best
Desert RegionsCitrus, okra, peppersAvoid midsummer planting

Data sources

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
NOAA Frost Probability Data
UC Marin Master Gardeners