When to Plant in Sacramento, CA

Sacramento sits in the heart of California's Central Valley — Zone 9b with a last frost around February 10. The Mediterranean climate means hot, dry summers (regularly reaching 100°F+) and mild, wet winters. Sacramento gets significantly more heat than coastal California cities.

The Central Valley's climate is excellent for warm-season crops that struggle in the Bay Area's fog. Tomatoes, peppers, melons, and eggplant thrive in Sacramento's long, hot summer. The challenge is managing extreme summer heat and the total absence of summer rain.

What to plant now in Sacramento

Spring: Start warm-season crops early. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, and cucumbers.
Summer: Long, productive summer. Deep irrigation essential — no summer rain.
Fall: Excellent fall garden: lettuce, broccoli, kale, carrots, and garlic.
Winter: Cool-season crops continue. Start onion seeds and early tomatoes indoors.

In Sacramento (297 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in Sacramento

Month	What to do
January	Plant cool-season crops. Start tomato seeds indoors late January. Order seeds.
February	Direct sow peas, lettuce, and spinach. Start warm-season seedlings indoors.
March	Transplant tomatoes and peppers in warmer microclimates. Direct sow beans.
April	Full spring planting: squash, cucumbers, corn, and more.
May	Set up drip irrigation before summer dry season.
June	Summer garden in full swing. Water deeply and consistently.
July	Harvest summer crops. Manage heat stress. Start fall seeds.
August	Plant fall crops: broccoli, kale, cauliflower seedlings. Direct sow carrots.
September	Main fall planting continues. Plant garlic in October.
October	Plant garlic. Cool-season crops growing fast as heat eases.
November	Harvest fall crops. Plant winter greens.
December	Cool-season crops continue. Plan next year.

Frost dates for Sacramento ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
95823	February 10	December 4	9b
95835	January 31	December 4	9b
95824	February 10	December 4	9b

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Sacramento, CA?

Sacramento's average last frost date is around February 10 — one of the earliest in the state. Most years, warm-season crops can be planted outdoors by late February.

How hot does Sacramento get in summer?

Sacramento regularly reaches 100–105°F in July and August. This is excellent for melons, peppers, and eggplant, but tomatoes may need shade cloth when temperatures stay above 100°F for extended periods.

Do I need to irrigate in Sacramento?

Yes — significantly. Sacramento gets almost no rain from May through October. Drip irrigation on a timer is essential for any productive summer garden.

How is Sacramento different from San Francisco for gardening?

Sacramento is dramatically hotter and sunnier than San Francisco. Crops that struggle in Bay Area fog — tomatoes, peppers, melons, eggplant — thrive in Sacramento's Central Valley heat.

How does Plan My Garden help Sacramento gardeners?

Enter your Sacramento zip code and we'll build a personalized planting schedule tuned to the Central Valley's hot, dry summers and mild winters.