Free planting calendar
California planting calendar for 2026.
In California, the typical last spring frost is around January 14 and the first fall frost is around December 14, giving about 334 frost-free days. The state spans USDA hardiness zones 7a to 10b. Here is what to sow each month, plus how to dial it to your exact ZIP code.
California at a glance
| Typical last spring frost | January 14 |
| Typical first fall frost | December 14 |
| Growing season | about 334 days |
| USDA hardiness zones | 7a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b |
| Population centers | Los Angeles, Inglewood, Compton, Torrance |
Typical statewide averages from NOAA frost normals. Your town can differ by a week or two, so check your ZIP code for exact dates.
What to plant in California, month by month
Sow windows below are counted from California’s typical frost dates. Tender crops wait until after the last frost; hardy crops can start earlier.
| Month | What to sow |
|---|---|
| January | Tomato, slicing · Tomato, cherry · Tomato, paste · Pepper, bell · Pepper, hot · Cucumber, slicing · Cucumber, pickling · Squash, summer · Sweet Corn · Bush Bean · Pole Bean · Snap Pea · Potato · Cilantro · Parsley · Lettuce, leaf · Lettuce, romaine · Lettuce, head · Spinach · Arugula · Kale · Swiss Chard · Collards · Mustard Greens · Cabbage · Broccoli · Cauliflower · Kohlrabi · Carrot · Beet · Radish · Turnip · Onion, bulb · Onion, bunching · Lima Bean (Bush) · Edamame (Soybean) · Southern Pea (Black-Eyed Pea) · Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · English Shelling Pea · Garbanzo Bean (Chickpea) · Napa Cabbage · Bok Choy · Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) · Tatsoi · Mizuna · Daikon Radish · Endive · Escarole · Sorrel · Amaranth Leaf · New Zealand Spinach · Watercress · Celery · Parsnip · Leek · Shallot · Salsify · Celeriac · Fennel, Florence · Tomatillo · Ground Cherry · Sunflower, confection · Strawberry, day-neutral · Pepper, banana · Pepper, poblano · Pepper, serrano · Pepper, cayenne · Pepper, shishito · Pepper, habanero · Dill · Oregano · Thyme · Rosemary · Sage · Mint · Chives · Marjoram · Chervil · Lemon Balm · Summer Savory · Blueberry · Raspberry, red · Blackberry · Strawberry, June-bearing · Gooseberry · Currant, black · Haskap (Honeyberry) · Elderberry · Asparagus · Rhubarb · Horseradish · Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke) · Artichoke, globe · Peanut · Lavender · Bay Laurel · Borage · Stevia · Catmint (Catnip) · Scarlet Runner Bean · Popcorn · Cucamelon (Mouse Melon) · Tomato · Pepper, sweet · Cucumber · Bean · Lettuce · Onion · Nasturtium · Calendula (Pot Marigold) · Chamomile, German · Mache (Corn Salad) · Cress, garden · Currant, red |
| February | Tomato, slicing · Tomato, cherry · Tomato, paste · Pepper, bell · Pepper, hot · Eggplant · Cucumber, slicing · Cucumber, pickling · Squash, summer · Squash, winter · Watermelon · Cantaloupe · Okra · Sweet Corn · Bush Bean · Pole Bean · Sweet Potato · Basil · Swiss Chard · Lima Bean (Bush) · Edamame (Soybean) · Southern Pea (Black-Eyed Pea) · Garbanzo Bean (Chickpea) · Amaranth Leaf · Tomatillo · Ground Cherry · Honeydew Melon · Spaghetti Squash · Acorn Squash · Luffa Gourd · Sunflower, confection · Strawberry, day-neutral · Pepper, banana · Pepper, poblano · Pepper, serrano · Pepper, cayenne · Pepper, shishito · Pepper, habanero · Dill · Oregano · Thyme · Rosemary · Sage · Mint · Chives · Tarragon · Marjoram · Lemon Balm · Summer Savory · Blueberry · Blackberry · Strawberry, June-bearing · Elderberry · Horseradish · Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke) · Ginger · Turmeric · Peanut · Lavender · Lemongrass · Bay Laurel · Borage · Stevia · Catmint (Catnip) · Shiso (Perilla) · Scarlet Runner Bean · Popcorn · Cucamelon (Mouse Melon) · Malabar Spinach · Tomato · Pepper, sweet · Cucumber · Bean · Nasturtium · Chamomile, German |
| March | Tomato, slicing · Tomato, cherry · Tomato, paste · Pepper, bell · Pepper, hot · Eggplant · Cucumber, slicing · Cucumber, pickling · Squash, summer · Squash, winter · Pumpkin · Watermelon · Cantaloupe · Okra · Sweet Corn · Bush Bean · Pole Bean · Sweet Potato · Basil · Lima Bean (Bush) · Edamame (Soybean) · Southern Pea (Black-Eyed Pea) · Tomatillo · Ground Cherry · Honeydew Melon · Spaghetti Squash · Acorn Squash · Luffa Gourd · Sunflower, confection · Pepper, banana · Pepper, poblano · Pepper, serrano · Pepper, cayenne · Pepper, shishito · Pepper, habanero · Mint · Tarragon · Marjoram · Lemon Balm · Summer Savory · Ginger · Turmeric · Lemongrass · Bay Laurel · Borage · Catmint (Catnip) · Shiso (Perilla) · Scarlet Runner Bean · Popcorn · Cucamelon (Mouse Melon) · Malabar Spinach · Tomato · Pepper, sweet · Cucumber · Bean |
| April | Cucumber, slicing · Cucumber, pickling · Squash, summer · Squash, winter · Pumpkin · Okra · Sweet Corn · Sweet Potato · Basil · Marjoram · Summer Savory · Cucumber |
| May | Squash, summer |
| June | Nothing sows outdoors — plan beds and order seeds. |
| July | Nothing sows outdoors — plan beds and order seeds. |
| August | Cucumber, slicing · Squash, summer · Bush Bean · Collards · Cabbage · Broccoli · Cauliflower · Brussels Sprouts · Parsnip · Leek · Salsify · Rutabaga · Cucumber · Bean |
| September | Cucumber, slicing · Squash, summer · Bush Bean · Cilantro · Parsley · Lettuce, leaf · Lettuce, romaine · Lettuce, head · Spinach · Arugula · Kale · Swiss Chard · Collards · Mustard Greens · Cabbage · Broccoli · Cauliflower · Kohlrabi · Carrot · Beet · Radish · Turnip · Onion, bunching · Lima Bean (Bush) · English Shelling Pea · Brussels Sprouts · Napa Cabbage · Bok Choy · Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) · Tatsoi · Mizuna · Daikon Radish · Endive · Escarole · Radicchio · Sorrel · Watercress · Celery · Parsnip · Leek · Salsify · Celeriac · Rutabaga · Fennel, Florence · Cucumber · Bean · Lettuce · Calendula (Pot Marigold) · Cress, garden |
| October | Bush Bean · Cilantro · Parsley · Lettuce, leaf · Lettuce, romaine · Lettuce, head · Spinach · Arugula · Kale · Swiss Chard · Collards · Mustard Greens · Cabbage · Broccoli · Cauliflower · Kohlrabi · Carrot · Beet · Radish · Turnip · Onion, bunching · Brussels Sprouts · Napa Cabbage · Bok Choy · Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) · Tatsoi · Mizuna · Daikon Radish · Endive · Escarole · Radicchio · Sorrel · Watercress · Celery · Parsnip · Leek · Salsify · Celeriac · Rutabaga · Fennel, Florence · Dill · Chervil · Bean · Lettuce · Calendula (Pot Marigold) · Mache (Corn Salad) · Cress, garden |
| November | Cilantro · Lettuce, leaf · Lettuce, romaine · Lettuce, head · Spinach · Arugula · Radish · Garlic · Bok Choy · Tatsoi · Mizuna · Daikon Radish · Sorrel · Watercress · Shallot · Dill · Chervil · Lettuce · Calendula (Pot Marigold) · Mache (Corn Salad) · Cress, garden |
| December | Garlic · Shallot · Mache (Corn Salad) |
Plan your California garden
A calendar tells you when. A plan tells you how much. Start from what you want to eat and PlotToTable sizes the beds, counts the plants, and dates every sowing for your exact ZIP code.
- Planting calendar by ZIP code — exact frost dates for your town, not just the state average.
- How to plan a vegetable garden — the six-step method.
- Frost dates explained — why these two dates drive everything.
- What to plant now in zone 10 — this month’s full sow list.
California planting questions
When is the last frost in California?+
The typical last spring frost across California is around January 14, and the first fall frost is around December 14, giving roughly a 334-day growing season. Your exact dates depend on your local area and elevation, so enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar tool for numbers tuned to your spot.
What USDA hardiness zone is California in?+
California spans USDA hardiness zones 7a to 10b. Most of the state falls in zone 10. Colder and higher-elevation areas trend to the lower zone numbers; milder and coastal areas to the higher ones.
What can I plant right now in California?+
It depends on the month. Tender crops like tomatoes and peppers go out after the last frost (around January 14); hardy crops like peas, kale, and carrots can be sown weeks earlier. The month-by-month table on this page lists what to sow in California for each month of the year.
Is this planting calendar free?+
Yes. This California calendar and the ZIP-code planting tool are free with no account. If you want a full garden plan built around what you want to eat, with plant counts and spacing, PlotToTable's planner is free to start too.