california · Crop calendar

california planting calendar.

Spring and fall planting windows for 18 crops in california. Extension-verified where available, USDA-sourced otherwise.

corn
secondary
Corn is grown in California but is not a dominant crop — works for home gardens, food plots, and some commercial production.
Spring
February 23 earliest · March 1–March 22 ideal · April 5 latest
Wait for 50°F at 2-inch soil depth — typically 1 week after last frost in northern states; close to last frost in southern states.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
soybeans
secondary
Soybeans is grown in California but is not a dominant crop — works for home gardens, food plots, and some commercial production.
Spring
March 1 earliest · March 15–April 5 ideal · April 20 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp at 2-inch depth. Soybeans planted into colder soil emerge slowly and are vulnerable to seed rot.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
winter_wheat
secondary
Winter Wheat is grown in California but is not a dominant crop — works for home gardens, food plots, and some commercial production.
Fall
November 9 earliest · November 23–December 14 ideal · December 28 latest
Plant 6-8 weeks before first hard freeze for adequate fall tillering. Hessian fly free dates often dictate exact timing.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cotton
primary
Cotton is widely grown in California — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 8 earliest · March 15–April 5 ideal · April 26 latest
Wait for 65°F minimum soil temp at 2-inch depth, sustained for 3-5 days. Cotton emerges very slowly below this threshold.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
grain_sorghum
primary
Grain Sorghum is widely grown in California — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 15 earliest · March 22–April 19 ideal · May 10 latest
Wait for 65°F minimum soil temp. Sorghum is heat-loving and tolerates planting up to 2 months after corn.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
sunflowers
limited
Sunflowers can be grown in California with attention to season length and variety selection — primarily a specialty or experimental crop here.
Spring
February 23 earliest · March 8–April 5 ideal · April 26 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp. Sunflowers tolerate light frost in seedling stage but not after stem elongation.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
tomatoes
primary
Tomatoes is widely grown in California — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 8 earliest · March 15–April 5 ideal · April 26 latest
Transplant after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Garden centers typically have transplants 1-2 weeks before this window.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
sweet_corn
primary
Sweet Corn is widely grown in California — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
February 23 earliest · March 1–April 5 ideal · April 26 latest
Wait for 55°F at 2-inch depth. Succession plant every 10-14 days for extended harvest.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
potatoes
secondary
Potatoes is grown in California but is not a dominant crop — works for home gardens, food plots, and some commercial production.
Spring
February 9 earliest · February 16–March 8 ideal · March 22 latest
Plant when soil reaches 45°F at 4-inch depth — often 2-4 weeks before last frost. Cool-season crop.
Fall
September 1 earliest · September 16–October 1 ideal · October 16 latest
Plant when soil reaches 45°F at 4-inch depth — often 2-4 weeks before last frost. Cool-season crop.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
peppers
primary
Peppers is widely grown in California — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 15 earliest · March 22–April 12 ideal · May 3 latest
Transplant when soil reaches 65°F at 2-inch depth — typically 2 weeks after last frost. Peppers are even more cold-sensitive than tomatoes.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cucumbers
primary
Cucumbers is widely grown in California — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 8 earliest · March 15–April 19 ideal · May 10 latest
Direct seed when soil reaches 60°F at 2-inch depth. Cool soils slow germination dramatically.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
pumpkins
primary
Pumpkins is widely grown in California — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 15 earliest · March 22–April 19 ideal · May 3 latest
Direct seed when soil reaches 60°F. Plan harvest date first — count back 90-110 days from desired harvest.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
alfalfa
limited
Alfalfa can be grown in California with attention to season length and variety selection — primarily a specialty or experimental crop here.
Spring
February 9 earliest · February 23–March 22 ideal · April 12 latest
Spring seeding: cool-season germination at 45°F+. Fall seeding: 60-90 days before first hard freeze for establishment.
Fall
September 16 earliest · October 1–October 16 ideal · October 31 latest
Spring seeding: cool-season germination at 45°F+. Fall seeding: 60-90 days before first hard freeze for establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
clover
primary
Clover is widely grown in California — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
January 26 earliest · February 9–March 8 ideal · March 29 latest
Frost-seed onto frozen ground in late winter for natural soil incorporation. Fall-seed in southern states for over-winter establishment.
Fall
September 16 earliest · October 1–October 16 ideal · October 31 latest
Frost-seed onto frozen ground in late winter for natural soil incorporation. Fall-seed in southern states for over-winter establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
brassicas
secondary
Brassicas is grown in California but is not a dominant crop — works for home gardens, food plots, and some commercial production.
Fall
September 1 earliest · September 16–October 1 ideal · October 16 latest
Late summer planting for fall food plot — 60-90 days before first hard frost provides peak forage value before deer season.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
winter_rye
secondary
Winter Rye is grown in California but is not a dominant crop — works for home gardens, food plots, and some commercial production.
Fall
November 9 earliest · November 23–December 14 ideal · December 28 latest
Most cold-tolerant cereal — germinates at 38°F. Plant 4-6 weeks before first hard freeze for maximum fall establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cereal_oats
secondary
Cereal Oats is grown in California but is not a dominant crop — works for home gardens, food plots, and some commercial production.
Spring
February 9 earliest · February 23–March 22 ideal · April 12 latest
Spring oats: plant as soon as soil can be worked. Fall oats: 60-75 days before first hard freeze — winter-killed in northern states.
Fall
September 16 earliest · October 1–October 16 ideal · November 2 latest
Spring oats: plant as soon as soil can be worked. Fall oats: 60-75 days before first hard freeze — winter-killed in northern states.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
buckwheat
limited
Buckwheat can be grown in California with attention to season length and variety selection — primarily a specialty or experimental crop here.
Spring
April 5 earliest · April 26–May 24 ideal · June 14 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp. Plant summer for 70-90 day cover crop or food plot rotation.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.

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