Zone 10a planting guide
Frost is rare. Season length is not the constraint — water, fog, or heat is.
- Last spring frost
- Jan 20
- First fall frost
- Dec 31
- Winter low
- 30 to 35°F
The trap
Choosing varieties for days-to-maturity instead of flavor and disease.
What actually finishes
Year-round succession. Tomatoes when your microclimate is warm enough, not when Illinois is.
This week in Zone 10a
Sow for fall
Direct-sow fast cool crops now. Skip tomatoes. Count days to first frost.
- AstroFall sowing: arugulaDirect sow
30 days needed · 59 days of season left.
- Detroit Dark RedFall sowing: beetsDirect sow
55 days needed · 59 days of season left.
- Slow BoltFall sowing: cilantroDirect sow
40 days needed · 59 days of season left.
- BouquetFall sowing: dillDirect sow
40 days needed · 59 days of season left.
- LacinatoFall sowing: kaleDirect sow
50 days needed · 59 days of season left.
- Black Seeded SimpsonFall sowing: lettuceDirect sow
40 days needed · 59 days of season left.
- Cherry BelleFall sowing: radishDirect sow
28 days needed · 59 days of season left.
- BloomsdaleFall sowing: spinachDirect sow
40 days needed · 59 days of season left.
- Fordhook GiantFall sowing: swiss chardDirect sow
50 days needed · 59 days of season left.
- Black BeautyFall sowing: zucchiniDirect sow
55 days needed · 59 days of season left.
Crops for this zone
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Lettuce
- Basil
- Zucchini
- Beans
- Kale
- Spinach
- Radish
- Carrots
- Cilantro
- Cucumber
- Sunflower
- Zinnia
- Arugula
- Swiss chard
- Beets
- Parsley
- Dill
- Marigold
- Winter squash
- Onions
Cities in Zone 10a
Year at a glance
January
Winter greens and herbs. This is a growing month here, not a rest month.
February
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
March
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
April
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
May
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
June
Heat pause for cool crops. Keep irrigation up. Shade lettuce.
July
Heat pause for cool crops. Keep irrigation up. Shade lettuce.
August
Fall / second-spring sowing: tomatoes in hot climates, greens everywhere.
September
Fall / second-spring sowing: tomatoes in hot climates, greens everywhere.
October
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
November · now
Succession sow. In this zone the constraint is water and heat, not frost.
December
Winter greens and herbs. This is a growing month here, not a rest month.
The sow list
A note when it is time to sow
Seasonal, not daily. We will send what to start in your zone, and skip the rest of the year.
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