State growing guide
California Planting Guide
USDA Zone 9a/9b · Last frost Feb 15 · First frost Dec 1 · 289 days
Zone-specific planting calendar, major city frost dates, top crops, and Duke's tips for growing food in California.
Frost Dates by City — California
Average frost dates for major California cities. Use these to calculate your indoor start dates and transplant windows.
| City | USDA Zone | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Tomato Transplant Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10b | Jan 1 | Dec 31 | ~2 wks after (Jan 1) |
| San Francisco | 10a | Jan 1 | Dec 31 | ~2 wks after (Jan 1) |
| San Diego | 10b | Jan 1 | Dec 31 | ~2 wks after (Jan 1) |
| Sacramento | 9a | Feb 28 | Nov 25 | ~2 wks after (Feb 28) |
| Fresno | 9a | Feb 20 | Nov 25 | ~2 wks after (Feb 20) |
| San Jose | 9b | Feb 15 | Dec 1 | ~2 wks after (Feb 15) |
| Bakersfield | 9a | Feb 10 | Dec 5 | ~2 wks after (Feb 10) |
| Redding | 9a | Mar 1 | Nov 20 | ~2 wks after (Mar 1) |
Average dates based on 30-year NOAA climate normals. Individual years may vary ±2 weeks. Use the Zone Lookup Tool for ZIP-specific dates.
Duke's Top Tips for California Gardeners
- Coastal California has cool summers — choose cool-tolerant tomato varieties
- Inland valleys have hot summers — mulch heavily and water deeply
- Year-round growing is possible in Southern California
- Fog in coastal areas can delay tomato ripening — choose early varieties like Stupice
- Water deeply and infrequently to build drought-tolerant root systems
Common Challenges in California
- ⚠ Coastal fog limits tomato ripening — choose cold-tolerant varieties
- ⚠ Mediterranean climate means dry summers — irrigation is essential
- ⚠ Squash vine borers and tomato hornworms in Central Valley
- ⚠ Wildfire smoke in late summer can stress plants
Best Crops for California
Get exact dates for your ZIP code in California
City averages are a starting point. Your actual microclimate matters — enter your ZIP for precise frost dates.
Frequently Asked Questions — California Gardening
What zone is California?
California spans Zones 5–11. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are Zone 5–6, Northern California inland is Zone 8–9, the Central Valley is Zone 9, coastal areas Zone 9b–10b, and the low deserts near Palm Springs are Zone 10–11.
When to plant tomatoes in California?
In Los Angeles and San Diego: transplant February–March. Sacramento: March. San Francisco: April. Inland valleys like Fresno: late February.
Can I garden year-round in California?
Yes, in Southern California and coastal areas. Los Angeles and San Diego gardeners can grow crops 12 months a year with proper selection.