FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in California

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Nov 21 – Dec 5, then transplant outdoors Jan 23 – Jan 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 5 in San Mateo and as late as Jun 3 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
Los AngelesFrost-free: year-round planting
San DiegoFrost-free: year-round planting
San JoseNov 7 – Nov 21Jan 9 – Jan 16
San FranciscoFrost-free: year-round planting
FresnoNov 19 – Dec 3Jan 21 – Jan 28
SacramentoNov 17 – Dec 1Jan 19 – Jan 26
Long BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
OaklandFrost-free: year-round planting
BakersfieldDec 6 – Dec 20Feb 7 – Feb 14
AnaheimFrost-free: year-round planting
RiversideNov 14 – Nov 28Jan 16 – Jan 23
Santa AnaFrost-free: year-round planting
StocktonDec 11 – Dec 25Feb 12 – Feb 19
Chula VistaFrost-free: year-round planting
IrvineFrost-free: year-round planting
FremontNov 12 – Nov 26Jan 14 – Jan 21
San BernardinoDec 2 – Dec 16Feb 3 – Feb 10
FontanaNov 15 – Nov 29Jan 17 – Jan 24
ModestoDec 6 – Dec 20Feb 7 – Feb 14
OxnardFrost-free: year-round planting
Moreno ValleyDec 2 – Dec 16Feb 3 – Feb 10
Huntington BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
GlendaleNov 7 – Nov 21Jan 9 – Jan 16
Santa ClaritaNov 13 – Nov 27Jan 15 – Jan 22
Santa RosaDec 31 – Jan 14Mar 4 – Mar 11
OceansideFrost-free: year-round planting
Garden GroveFrost-free: year-round planting
Rancho CucamongaNov 9 – Nov 23Jan 11 – Jan 18
OntarioNov 9 – Nov 23Jan 11 – Jan 18
Elk GroveDec 8 – Dec 22Feb 9 – Feb 16

Showing the 30 most populous of 530 California cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all California cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in California?

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Nov 21 – Dec 5, then transplant outdoors Jan 23 – Jan 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 5 in San Mateo and as late as Jun 3 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

When is the last frost in California?

The average last spring frost in California ranges from January 1 in Palm Springs to December 31 in Sunland, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in California

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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