Planting calendar for California
Short answer
Most of California is in climate zone 3, with an average last spring frost around Mar 10 and first fall frost around Nov 25. Plant hardy crops before the last frost, tender crops after. Enter your ZIP for dates tuned to your exact area.
Last spring frost
Mar 10
First fall frost
Nov 25
Climate zone(s)
2, 3, 4, 5, 6
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Feb 3 | Apr 4 |
| Spinach | — | Feb 3 | Mar 20 |
| Radishes | — | Feb 10 | Mar 10 |
| Kale | Feb 3 | Feb 10 | Apr 6 |
| Onions | Dec 30 | Feb 10 | May 21 |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 | Feb 17 | Apr 8 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 17 | Apr 28 |
| Beets | — | Feb 17 | Apr 13 |
| Strawberries | — | Feb 17 | May 18 |
| Blueberries | — | Feb 17 | Year 2–3 |
| Broccoli | Jan 27 | Feb 24 | Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 27 | Feb 24 | May 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 24 | May 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 24 | Apr 10 |
| Blackberries | — | Feb 24 | Year 2–3 |
| Nasturtiums | — | Mar 10 | May 4 |
| Zucchini / squash | Feb 17 | Mar 17 | May 6 |
| Green beans | — | Mar 17 | May 11 |
| Sweet corn | — | Mar 17 | May 31 |
| Coleus | Dec 30 | Mar 17 | May 16 |
| Marigolds | Jan 20 | Mar 17 | May 6 |
| Zinnias | Feb 3 | Mar 17 | May 21 |
| Morning glories | Feb 10 | Mar 17 | Jun 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 17 | Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 | Mar 24 | Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Jan 13 | Mar 24 | Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 17 | Mar 24 | May 18 |
| Pumpkins | Feb 24 | Mar 24 | Jul 12 |
| Basil | Jan 27 | Mar 24 | May 23 |
| Peonies | — | Oct 14 | Year 2–3 |
| Garlic | — | Nov 4 | Jul 2 (next yr) |
| Tulips | — | Dec 2 | May 31 (next yr) |
Dates use zone 3 (most of California); colder areas run later. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone.
What sets planting dates in California
Planting dates across California anchor to two dates. Most of the state sits in climate zone 3, where the average last spring frost lands around Mar 10 and the first fall frost around Nov 25 — a growing season of roughly 260 days. Every crop in the calendar counts forward or backward from those two frosts.
Hardy crops shrug off a light freeze, so they go in weeks before the last frost; tender crops wait until after it, once the soil warms. In California's zone 3, that's why peas can go out around Feb 3 while tomatoes wait until about Mar 24.
California isn't a single climate — it spans zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, so higher-elevation and northern areas run later than these zone-3 dates. Use this as the state midpoint, then enter your ZIP for frost dates tuned to your exact area.
What sets your dates
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Last spring frost | Tender crops can't go out until it passes — around Mar 10 in California's zone 3 |
| First fall frost | Sets the harvest deadline — around Nov 25 — for anything still in the ground |
| Climate zone | California spans zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; colder (higher-number) areas run later |
| Crop hardiness | Hardy crops plant before the last frost; tender crops wait until after it |
| Indoor head start | Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) need 6–10 weeks started indoors first |
| Microclimate & elevation | Cold pockets, slopes, and higher ground run later than the state average |
How California's season compares
| Reference | Growing season |
|---|---|
| Long season (zone 2) | ~293 days · Feb 15 – Dec 5 |
| California (zone 3) | ~260 days · Mar 10 – Nov 25 |
| Short season (zone 8) | ~96 days · Jun 1 – Sep 5 |
California planting tips
- Don't rush tender crops out before California's last frost (around Mar 10) — a single late freeze can wipe out tomatoes and peppers.
- Start cool-season crops (peas, spinach, lettuce) early; they handle California's spring chill and bolt once summer heat arrives.
- Count backward from Mar 10 to time indoor seed-starting — 6–10 weeks for warm crops that need a head start.
- For a fall harvest, work back from the first frost (around Nov 25) using each crop's days-to-harvest so it matures in time.
Your exact area
Open the planting calendarOther states
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in California?
Most of California (zone 3) averages its last spring frost around Mar 10 and first fall frost around Nov 25. Colder parts of the state run later in spring.
When should I plant tomatoes in California?
Set tomato transplants out around Mar 24 in most of California — a couple of weeks after the last frost. Start seeds indoors about Jan 27.
What is the growing season in California?
Roughly Nov 25 minus Mar 10 for zone 3. Cool-season crops extend it on both ends; enter your ZIP for your exact dates.