Southern California Vegetable Planting Calendar: What to Plant Now
Month-by-month planting calendar for Southern California. 179 crops with sow windows for a mediterranean climate.
This is our Southern California vegetable planting calendar for coastal and Southern California. It starts with what vegetables to plant now in Southern California, then goes through the whole year, with planting windows set for a climate that is Mediterranean, across USDA zones 9b to 10b. Further down you will find a sowing chart for popular vegetables, local timing notes, frost dates by ZIP code and a season-by-season guide, all from the same data that runs the Planting Season app. This is a first-pass calendar built from regional extension guidance and under local review, so treat it as a strong first draft.
Monthly Planting Calendar
Coastal and Southern California (Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and the coastal Bay Area, USDA 9b-10b) is a mild Mediterranean climate: wet, cool winters and dry, mild summers, with frost rare near the coast. Cool-season crops grow from fall through early spring, and warm-season crops run a long spring-to-summer window because the coastal summer is mild rather than brutal. Many greens grow almost year-round. These windows are a first-pass estimate from University of California (UC) extension guidance and are being reviewed locally.
Month-by-month vegetable planting calendar for Southern California
Every vegetable in our Southern California calendar, grouped by the month you can sow or plant it. Each month links to its full page with herbs, fruit and flowers.
| Month | Vegetables to sow or plant | Count |
|---|---|---|
| January | Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collard Greens, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Sunchoke, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress | 52 |
| February | Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collard Greens, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scarlet Runner Bean, Scorzonera, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Sunchoke, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress | 54 |
| March | Arrowroot, Arugula, Bell Pepper, Bitter Melon, Bok Choy, Brazilian Spinach, Bush Beans, Cassava, Celery, Chayote, Chicory, Chili Pepper, Collard Greens, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Endive & Escarole, Fennel (Herb), Green Onion, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab), Jicama, Kale, Komatsuna, Lettuce, Lima Beans, Mibuna, New Zealand Spinach, Peanuts, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Radicchio, Scarlet Runner Bean, Sorghum, Sorrel, Spinach, Squash, Sweet Corn, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, Tomatillo, Tomato, Water Chestnut, Watercress, Winged Beans, Zucchini | 45 |
| April | Amaranth, Arrowroot, Bell Pepper, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Bush Beans, Cantaloupe, Cassava, Chayote, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Green Onion, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab), Jicama, Lima Beans, Luffa (Loofah), Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach, Okra, Peanuts, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Scarlet Runner Bean, Sorghum, Southern Peas, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard, Taro, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turmeric, Water Chestnut, Watermelon, Winged Beans, Yardlong Beans, Zucchini | 41 |
| May | Amaranth, Arrowroot, Bell Pepper, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Bush Beans, Cantaloupe, Cassava, Chayote, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab), Jicama, Lima Beans, Luffa (Loofah), Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach, Okra, Peanuts, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Sorghum, Southern Peas, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Taro, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turmeric, Water Chestnut, Watermelon, Winged Beans, Yardlong Beans, Zucchini | 38 |
| June | Amaranth, Bell Pepper, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Bush Beans, Cantaloupe, Cassava, Chayote, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab), Jicama, Lima Beans, Luffa (Loofah), Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach, Okra, Peanuts, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Sorghum, Southern Peas, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Taro, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turmeric, Water Chestnut, Watermelon, Winged Beans, Yardlong Beans, Zucchini | 37 |
| July | Amaranth, Bell Pepper, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Bush Beans, Cantaloupe, Cassava, Chayote, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab), Jicama, Lima Beans, Luffa (Loofah), Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach, Okra, Peanuts, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Sorghum, Southern Peas, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Taro, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turmeric, Water Chestnut, Watermelon, Winged Beans, Yardlong Beans, Zucchini | 37 |
| August | No vegetable sowings this month | 0 |
| September | Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collard Greens, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Sunchoke, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress | 54 |
| October | Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collard Greens, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Sunchoke, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress | 54 |
| November | Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collard Greens, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Sunchoke, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress | 52 |
| December | Mizuna, Shallot | 2 |
Southern California vegetable sowing chart
36 popular crops, with the months you can sow or plant them in Southern California. Shaded months are open planting windows, and the last column spells them out. Where our data says a crop is set out as transplants, the window is the transplanting window.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Sow or plant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Bell Pepper | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Chili Pepper | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Eggplant | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Zucchini | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Squash | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Cucumber | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Pumpkin | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Sweet Corn | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Bush Beans | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Peas | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Snow Peas | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Okra | Apr to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Southern Peas | Apr to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Lettuce | Jan to Mar and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Spinach | Jan to Mar and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Swiss Chard | Feb to Apr and Sep to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Kale | Jan to Mar and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Collard Greens | Jan to Mar and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Broccoli | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Cabbage | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Cauliflower | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Carrot | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Beet | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Radish | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Turnip | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Onion | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Garlic | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Potato | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Sweet Potato | Apr to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Basil | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Cilantro | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Parsley | Feb to Apr and Sep to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Strawberry | Mar to Apr and Oct | ||||||||||||
| Watermelon | Apr to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Cantaloupe | Apr to Jul |
Browse by Category
Frost dates, climate and USDA zones in Southern California
The climate in Southern California is Mediterranean, and our regional frost table lists the region as effectively frost free, so the growing season runs all year. Frost is rare near the coast, so cool-season crops grow from fall through early spring and warm-season crops run a long spring-to-summer window.
Frost is local, so here is what the ZIP code records show for a few places across coastal and Southern California:
- Los Angeles (90012): effectively frost free, so heat rather than cold limits the season.
- San Diego (92101): effectively frost free, so heat rather than cold limits the season.
- Santa Barbara (93101): effectively frost free, so heat rather than cold limits the season.
- San Francisco (94102): effectively frost free, so heat rather than cold limits the season.
Enter your own ZIP code in the Frost Lookup for your typical last and first frost. ZIP code figures come from the nearest weather station in the NOAA 1991 to 2020 Climate Normals, at the 50 percent probability level, so in one year out of two the last frost comes later.
USDA hardiness zones: our Southern California region spans zones 9b to 10b. Your zone tells you which perennials, shrubs and fruit trees survive a normal winter; it does not tell you when to sow, which is why this calendar follows frost dates and summer heat instead. Zone pages: zone 9b, zone 10a, zone 10b.
Southern California planting seasons: a season-by-season guide
The calendar above, read by season. Counts and crop lists come straight from the Southern California planting windows, so they change only when our data changes.
Spring in Southern California (March to May)
57 vegetables can be sown or planted at some point in spring. Planting windows that open: in March, Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans and 16 more; in April, Okra, Southern Peas, Sweet Potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Amaranth, Ginger, Luffa (Loofah), Malabar Spinach, Taro and 2 more. Last chance before the season ends: March for Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Arugula, Bok Choy, Celery, Chicory, Endive & Escarole, Fennel (Herb) and 6 more; April for Swiss Chard, Green Onion and Scarlet Runner Bean. You can keep sowing Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans, Arrowroot, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Cassava and 12 more through every month of it.
Summer in Southern California (June to August)
37 vegetables can be sown or planted at some point in summer. Last chance before the season ends: July for Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans and 27 more.
Fall in Southern California (September to November)
54 vegetables can be sown or planted at some point in fall. Planting windows that open: in September, Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower and 44 more. Last chance before the season ends: October for Swiss Chard and Green Onion. You can keep sowing Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion and 38 more through every month of it. Fall is also garlic planting time here; see how to grow garlic.
Winter in Southern California (December to February)
55 vegetables can be sown or planted at some point in winter. Planting windows that open: in January, Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot and 40 more; in February, Swiss Chard, Green Onion and Scarlet Runner Bean. Last chance before the season ends: January for Shallot. You can keep sowing Mizuna through every month of it.
Growing Guides
In-depth guides for the most popular crops and techniques. These guides adapt to your region.
Free Monthly Planting Calendar
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Plan your whole garden in the app
Drag-and-drop beds, track from seed to harvest, and get Southern California reminders every month.
Open the App →Planting calendars for other US regions
Gardening somewhere else? Each region has its own planting windows, frost dates and month pages. For every region side by side, see what vegetables to plant now across the US, or find your region by ZIP code.
- North Florida vegetable planting calendar
North Florida: USDA zones 9a to 9b, frost window February 15 to December 5. - Central Florida vegetable planting calendar
Central Florida: USDA zones 9b to 10b, effectively frost free. - South Florida vegetable planting calendar
South Florida: USDA zones 10a to 11a, effectively frost free. - Gulf South vegetable planting calendar
Gulf South: USDA zones 8a to 9b, frost window February 25 to December 1. - Desert Southwest vegetable planting calendar
Desert Southwest: USDA zones 7a to 10a, frost window February 5 to December 5. - Texas vegetable planting calendar
Texas: USDA zones 8a to 10a, frost window March 1 to November 28. - Mid-South vegetable planting calendar
Mid-South: USDA zones 7a to 8b, frost window April 10 to October 25. - Pacific Northwest vegetable planting calendar
Pacific Northwest: USDA zones 6b to 9a, frost window March 25 to November 15. - Northeast & New England vegetable planting calendar
Northeast & New England: USDA zones 5a to 7b, frost window May 10 to October 15. - Mid-Atlantic vegetable planting calendar
Mid-Atlantic: USDA zones 6b to 8a, frost window April 15 to October 25. - Midwest & Great Lakes vegetable planting calendar
Midwest & Great Lakes: USDA zones 5a to 7a, frost window April 30 to October 15. - Upper Midwest & Northern Plains vegetable planting calendar
Upper Midwest & Northern Plains: USDA zones 3b to 5a, frost window May 15 to September 25. - Mountain West vegetable planting calendar
Mountain West: USDA zones 5a to 7b, frost window May 5 to September 30. - Southern Plains vegetable planting calendar
Southern Plains: USDA zones 5b to 7b, frost window April 10 to October 30. - Northern California vegetable planting calendar
Northern California & Central Valley: USDA zones 7b to 10a, frost window February 28 to November 17. - Hawaii vegetable planting calendar
Hawaii: USDA zones 11b to 12b, effectively frost free. - Alaska vegetable planting calendar
Alaska: USDA zones 1b to 7b, frost window May 15 to September 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I plant in Southern California?
Almost year-round near the coast. Cool-season crops go in from fall through early spring; warm-season crops have a long window from spring into summer because the coastal summer stays mild.
Do I need to worry about frost in coastal California?
Rarely right on the coast, but inland valleys and higher ground do get light frosts in winter. Treat the windows as coastal/low-frost and shift tender crops a little later inland.
How accurate are these dates?
They are a careful first pass based on University of California extension calendars. We are reviewing them with local sources before this region is finalized.
What vegetables can I plant now in Southern California?
It depends on the month. Going by our Southern California calendar, in spring (Mar to May) you can sow Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash and Cucumber; in summer (Jun to Aug) you can sow Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash and Cucumber; in fall (Sep to Nov) you can sow Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale and Collard Greens; in winter (Dec to Feb) you can sow Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens and Broccoli. The What to plant in Southern California now section at the top of this page always shows the current month, and each month page lists every crop.
When is the last frost in Southern California?
Our regional frost table lists Southern California as effectively frost free. ZIP code records for Los Angeles (90012) show it as effectively frost free. Check your own ZIP code with the Frost Lookup.
When should I plant tomatoes in Southern California?
Our Southern California calendar has tomatoes planted in March to July. More in how to grow tomatoes.
When should I plant garlic in Southern California?
Our Southern California calendar has garlic planted in January to February and September to November. More in how to grow garlic.