USDA Zone 10a Planting Calendar: What to Plant and When
Zone 10a means an average lowest winter temperature of 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 to 2 Celsius).

Your growing region in zone 10a
Zone 10a runs through the regions below. Each one has a month by month sowing calendar built on its own frost dates and summer heat, not on the zone number.
| Region | Zone range | Frost window |
|---|---|---|
| Central Florida | 9b-10b | effectively frost free |
| South Florida | 10a-11a | effectively frost free |
| Desert Southwest | 7a-10a | February 5 to December 5 |
| Texas | 8a-10a | March 1 to November 28 |
| Southern California | 9b-10b | effectively frost free |
| Northern California & Central Valley | 7b-10a | February 28 to November 17 |
What to plant now in zone 10a: October 2026, region by region
Zone 10a runs through Central Florida, South Florida, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California and Northern California & Central Valley, and each of them plants on its own calendar. These are the vegetables to sow or plant this month in each region, from the same data as the region calendars; follow the links for herbs, fruit and the full year.
| Region | Vegetables to sow this month | Calendars |
|---|---|---|
| Central Florida | 47 vegetables, including Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet and 35 more. | October in Central Florida Central Florida vegetable planting calendar |
| South Florida | 56 vegetables, including Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans, Peas, Snow Peas and 44 more. | October in South Florida South Florida vegetable planting calendar |
| Desert Southwest | 46 vegetables, including Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish and 34 more. | October in Desert Southwest Desert Southwest vegetable planting calendar |
| Texas | 38 vegetables, including Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Potato, Arugula and 26 more. | October in Texas Texas vegetable planting calendar |
| Southern California | 54 vegetables, including Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet and 42 more. | October in Southern California Southern California vegetable planting calendar |
| Northern California & Central Valley | 45 vegetables, including Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet and 33 more. | October in Northern California Northern California vegetable planting calendar |
Zone 10a planting calendar: what to plant each month



Zone 10a covers 6 of our regions: Central Florida, South Florida, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California and Northern California. A zone shares a winter low, not a planting calendar, so this calendar follows each region's own sowing windows from our data. For each month, the second column lists the vegetables that every region in zone 10a can sow or plant, and the region columns give the number of vegetables each region can sow, linked to that region's month page with the full list. Each month name links to the national page for that month.
| Month | Vegetables to sow in every region of zone 10a | Central Florida | South Florida | Desert Southwest | Texas | Southern California | Northern California |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 vegetables: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Globe Artichoke, Kohlrabi, Mustard Greens and Sunchoke. | 53 | 54 | 39 | 11 | 52 | 42 |
| February | No vegetable in every region; see the region counts. | 43 | 28 | 29 | 40 | 54 | 46 |
| March | 10 vegetables: Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans, Swiss Chard, Bitter Melon, Green Onion, Popcorn and Tomatillo. | 40 | 34 | 28 | 20 | 45 | 79 |
| April | 11 vegetables, including Southern Peas, Sweet Potato, Amaranth, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab), Jicama, Lima Beans, Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach, Peanuts, Sorghum and 1 more. | 22 | 20 | 12 | 28 | 41 | 41 |
| May | 3 vegetables: Sweet Potato, Amaranth and Malabar Spinach. | 18 | 8 | 4 | 17 | 38 | 37 |
| June | 3 vegetables: Sweet Potato, Amaranth and Malabar Spinach. | 4 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 37 | 35 |
| July | No vegetable in every region; see the region counts. | 5 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 37 | 35 |
| August | No vegetable in every region; see the region counts. | 26 | 14 | 23 | 29 | 0 | 45 |
| September | 5 vegetables: Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot and Mizuna. | 50 | 41 | 54 | 44 | 54 | 42 |
| October | 18 vegetables, including Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Bok Choy and 8 more. | 47 | 56 | 46 | 38 | 54 | 45 |
| November | 3 vegetables: Onion, Garlic and Shallot. | 47 | 58 | 42 | 3 | 52 | 41 |
| December | No vegetable in every region; see the region counts. | 39 | 54 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 38 |
Zone 10a planting dates by crop
The first and last months to sow or plant 36 popular vegetables, herbs and fruit in each region of zone 10a. A range such as Feb to Apr means you can sow from February through April, and two ranges mean a spring and a fall window. Where our data has a crop set out as transplants, the months are transplanting months. Each crop links to its plant page, which shows the calendar for any region.
| Crop | Central Florida | South Florida | Desert Southwest | Texas | Southern California | Northern California |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan to Feb and Aug to Sep | Aug to Feb | Feb to Mar and Aug to Sep | Mar and Jul to Aug | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Bell Pepper | Jan to Mar and Aug to Sep | Aug to Feb | Feb to Mar and Aug | Mar and Jul to Aug | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Chili Pepper | Jan to Mar and Aug to Sep | Aug to Feb | Feb to Mar and Aug to Sep | Mar and Jul to Aug | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Eggplant | Jan to Feb and Aug to Sep | Aug to Feb | Feb to Mar and Aug | Mar and Jul to Aug | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Zucchini | Jan to Mar and Aug to Sep | Sep to Mar | Feb to Mar and Aug to Sep | Mar to Apr and Aug | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Squash | Jan to Mar and Aug to Sep | Sep to Mar | Feb to Mar and Aug to Sep | Mar to Apr and Aug | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Cucumber | Jan to Mar and Sep | Sep to Mar | Feb to Mar and Aug to Sep | Mar to Apr and Aug | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Pumpkin | Feb to Mar and Jul to Sep | Aug to Feb | Mar and Aug | Apr and Jun | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Sweet Corn | Jan to Apr | Oct to Mar | Feb to Mar | Mar to Apr | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Bush Beans | Feb to Apr and Aug to Sep | Sep to Apr | Feb to Mar and Aug to Sep | Mar to Apr and Aug | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Peas | Sep to Feb | Oct to Jan | Jan and Sep to Oct | Feb and Sep | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Snow Peas | Sep to Feb | Oct to Jan | Jan and Sep to Oct | Feb and Sep | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Okra | Mar to Aug | Feb to Mar and Aug to Sep | Apr to Jul | Apr to Jun | Apr to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Southern Peas | Mar to May and Aug | Mar to Apr and Sep | Mar to Apr and Aug | Apr to Jun | Apr to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Lettuce | Sep to Mar | Sep to Jan | Sep to Feb | Feb and Sep to Oct | Jan to Mar and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Spinach | Sep to Feb | Oct to Jan | Sep to Feb | Feb and Sep to Oct | Jan to Mar and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Swiss Chard | Sep to Mar | Oct to Mar | Feb to Mar and Aug to Sep | Mar to Apr and Aug | Feb to Apr and Sep to Oct | Feb to Mar and Sep to Oct |
| Kale | Sep to Feb | Oct to Jan | Sep to Feb | Feb and Sep to Oct | Jan to Mar and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Collard Greens | Oct to Jan | Nov to Jan | Jan and Sep to Nov | Feb and Sep to Oct | Jan to Mar and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Broccoli | Aug to Jan | Sep to Jan | Jan and Sep to Nov | Jan to Feb and Aug to Sep | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Cabbage | Sep to Jan | Sep to Jan | Jan and Sep to Nov | Jan to Feb and Aug to Sep | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Cauliflower | Sep to Jan | Oct to Jan | Jan and Sep to Nov | Jan to Feb and Aug to Sep | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Carrot | Sep to Mar | Sep to Feb | Jan and Sep to Nov | Feb and Sep to Oct | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Beet | Sep to Feb | Oct to Jan | Jan and Sep to Nov | Feb and Sep to Oct | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Radish | Sep to Feb | Oct to Jan | Jan and Sep to Nov | Feb and Sep to Oct | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Turnip | Sep to Feb | Oct to Jan | Jan and Sep to Nov | Feb and Sep to Oct | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Onion | Sep to Jan | Oct to Dec | Oct to Nov | Jan and Oct to Nov | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug and Oct to Jan |
| Garlic | Sep to Feb | Oct to Jan | Oct to Nov | Jan and Oct to Nov | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Oct to Nov |
| Potato | Jan to Feb | Sep to Jan | Jan and Sep to Nov | Feb and Sep to Oct | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Sweet Potato | Mar to Jul | Feb to Oct | Apr to Jul | Apr to Jun | Apr to Jul | Apr to Jun |
| Basil | Feb to Mar and Aug to Sep | Aug to Feb | Mar to Apr and Sep | Mar to Apr | Mar to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Cilantro | Sep to Feb | Oct to Jan | Jan to Feb and Oct to Nov | Feb and Sep to Oct | Jan to Feb and Sep to Nov | Aug to Mar |
| Parsley | Sep to Mar | Oct to Mar | Jan to Feb and Oct to Nov | Feb and Sep to Oct | Feb to Apr and Sep to Oct | Feb to Mar and Sep to Oct |
| Strawberry | Sep to Oct | Oct to Nov | Oct to Nov | Feb and Oct | Mar to Apr and Oct | Nov to Feb |
| Watermelon | Jan to Mar | Jan to Mar and Aug to Sep | Feb to Mar | Mar to Apr | Apr to Jul | Mar to Jul |
| Cantaloupe | Jan to Mar | Dec to Mar | Feb to Mar | Mar to Apr | Apr to Jul | Mar to Jul |
Frost dates in zone 10a
Frost dates, not the zone number, set the sowing windows above. These are the regional frost windows from our frost table, with the ZIP code records for a few places in each region. ZIP code figures come from the nearest weather station in the NOAA 1991 to 2020 Climate Normals at the 50 percent level, so in one year out of two the last frost comes later. Check your own ZIP code in the Frost Lookup.
| Region | Frost window | Growing season | ZIP code records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Florida | Effectively frost free | Year round | Orlando (32801): effectively frost free Tampa (33602): effectively frost free Melbourne (32901): effectively frost free Sarasota (34236): effectively frost free |
| South Florida | Effectively frost free | Year round | Miami (33130): effectively frost free Fort Lauderdale (33301): effectively frost free Fort Myers (33901): effectively frost free Naples (34102): effectively frost free |
| Desert Southwest | February 5 to December 5 | about 303 days | Phoenix (85004): effectively frost free Tucson (85701): last frost January 20, first frost December 17 Yuma (85364): last frost January 8, first frost December 28 Las Vegas (89101): last frost February 1, first frost December 8 |
| Texas | March 1 to November 28 | about 272 days | Houston (77002): last frost February 2, first frost December 25 Dallas (75201): last frost March 2, first frost November 29 Austin (78701): last frost March 10, first frost November 17 San Antonio (78205): last frost February 25, first frost November 28 Lubbock (79401): last frost March 24, first frost November 11 El Paso (79901): last frost March 2, first frost November 20 |
| Southern California | Effectively frost free | Year round | Los Angeles (90012): effectively frost free San Diego (92101): effectively frost free Santa Barbara (93101): effectively frost free San Francisco (94102): effectively frost free |
| Northern California & Central Valley | February 28 to November 17 | about 262 days | Sacramento (95814): last frost January 12, first frost December 16 Fresno (93721): last frost January 30, first frost December 11 Bakersfield (93301): last frost January 31, first frost December 8 Redding (96001): last frost February 13, first frost December 13 |
What zone 10a is good for
Any perennial, shrub or fruit tree rated to zone 10a or lower should survive a normal winter where you are. That is the question a zone answers well. For fruit trees there is a second number that matters just as much: winter chill hours, which decide whether a variety will set fruit at all. The free app checks both.
Find your dates
Match your zip code to a region, then check the frost dates table for your sowing window.
Questions about zone 10a
What temperature is USDA zone 10a?
Zone 10a has an average annual lowest winter temperature of 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, which is -1 to 2 degrees Celsius.
What can I plant in zone 10a?
Any perennial or fruit tree rated to zone 10a or lower should survive a normal winter there. For annual vegetables the zone is the wrong tool: use your last and first frost dates instead, because they set the sowing window.
Does zone 10a tell me when to plant tomatoes?
No. Sowing dates come from your last spring frost, not your hardiness zone. Two gardens in zone 10a can have frost dates weeks apart.
What should I plant now in zone 10a?
It depends on which region of zone 10a you garden in, because a zone shares a winter low, not a calendar. Zone 10a runs through Central Florida, South Florida, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California and Northern California & Central Valley. The table on this page lists the vegetables to sow this month in each of them and links to each region's month page and full vegetable planting calendar.
When to plant tomatoes in zone 10a?
It depends on the region, because zone 10a regions plant on different calendars. Our calendars set out tomatoes in Central Florida, January to February and August to September; in South Florida, August to February; in the Desert Southwest, February to March and August to September; in Texas, March and July to August; in Southern California, March to July; in Northern California, March to July. The planting dates table on this page lists the months for every popular crop.
When to plant peppers in zone 10a?
It depends on the region, because zone 10a regions plant on different calendars. Our calendars plant peppers in Central Florida, January to March and August to September; in South Florida, August to February; in the Desert Southwest, February to March and August; in Texas, March and July to August; in Southern California, March to July; in Northern California, March to July. The planting dates table on this page lists the months for every popular crop.
When to plant garlic in zone 10a?
It depends on the region, because zone 10a regions plant on different calendars. Our calendars plant garlic in Central Florida, September to February; in South Florida, October to January; in the Desert Southwest, October to November; in Texas, January and October to November; in Southern California, January to February and September to November; in Northern California, October to November. The planting dates table on this page lists the months for every popular crop.
When to plant potatoes in zone 10a?
It depends on the region, because zone 10a regions plant on different calendars. Our calendars plant potatoes in Central Florida, January to February; in South Florida, September to January; in the Desert Southwest, January and September to November; in Texas, February and September to October; in Southern California, January to February and September to November; in Northern California, August to March. The planting dates table on this page lists the months for every popular crop.
When is the last frost in zone 10a?
A zone does not set a frost date, so it depends on the region. In zone 10a, Central Florida is effectively frost free; South Florida is effectively frost free; the Desert Southwest has an average last spring frost around February 5 and a first fall frost around December 5; Texas has an average last spring frost around March 1 and a first fall frost around November 28; Southern California is effectively frost free; Northern California has an average last spring frost around February 28 and a first fall frost around November 17. Check your own ZIP code in the Frost Lookup.
