Planting Calendar

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Planting Calendar for San

Jose, CA
For the Almanac's fall and spring planting calendars, we've
calculated the best time to start seeds indoors, when to
transplant young plants outside, and when to direct seed
into the ground.

Planting Dates for Spring


On average, your last spring frost occurs on March 1 (at SAN
JOSE, CA climate station).

Based on Frost Dates

Crop
Based on Moon Dates
Plant
Start Seeds Seedlings Start Seeds
Indoors or Outdoors
Transplants

Feb 15-Mar 1
Arugula N/A N/A

Feb 15-16
Basil Jan 4-18 Mar 1-22 N/A

Jan 4-17 Mar 2-18

Feb 15-Mar 8
Beets N/A N/A

Feb 17-Mar 1

Dec 21-Jan 4 Mar 8-22


Bell Peppers N/A

Jan 2- 4 Mar 8-18

Jan 4-18 Feb 1-22


Broccoli N/A

Jan 4-17 Feb 1-16

Jan 4-18 Feb 1-15


Cabbage N/A

Jan 4-17 Feb 1-15


Cantaloupes Feb 1- 8 Mar 15-29 N/A

Feb 1- 8 Mar 15-18

Jan 25-Feb 8
Carrots N/A N/A

Jan 25-31

Jan 4-18 Feb 1-22


Cauliflower N/A

Jan 4-17 Feb 1-16

Dec 21-Jan 4 Mar 8-22


Celery N/A

Jan 2- 4 Mar 8-18

Feb 1- 8
Chives N/A N/A

Feb 1- 8
Cilantro Mar 1-15
N/A N/A
(Coriander)

Mar 2-15

Mar 1-15
Corn N/A N/A

Mar 2-15

Feb 1- 8 Mar 15-29


Cucumbers N/A

Feb 1- 8 Mar 15-18

Jan 25-Feb 8
Dill N/A N/A

Feb 1- 8

Jan 4-18 Mar 15-29


Eggplants N/A

Jan 4-17 Mar 15-18


Green Beans N/A N/A Mar 8-29

Mar 8-18

Jan 4-18 Feb 1-22


Kale N/A

Jan 4-17 Feb 1-16

Jan 18-Feb 1 Feb 8-15


Kohlrabi N/A

Feb 1 Feb 8-15

Feb 15-Mar
Jan 18-Feb 1 15
Lettuce N/A

Feb 1 Feb 15-16,


Mar 2-15

Mar 15-29
Okra N/A N/A
Mar 15-18

Feb 1-22
Onions N/A N/A

Feb 17-22

Dec 21-Jan
Mar 1-22
Oregano 18 N/A

Mar 2-18
Jan 2-17

Feb 1-15
Parsley N/A N/A

Feb 1-15

Feb 8-Mar 1
Parsnips N/A N/A

Feb 17-Mar 1

Jan 18-Feb 8
Peas N/A N/A
Feb 1- 8

Feb 22-Mar 15
Potatoes N/A N/A

Feb 22-Mar 1

Feb 8-22 Mar 15-29


Pumpkins N/A

Feb 8-16 Mar 15-18

Jan 4-25
Radishes N/A N/A

Jan 18-25

Dec 21-Jan 4 Mar 8-29


Rosemary N/A

Jan 2- 4 Mar 8-18

Jan 4-18 Mar 1-15


Sage N/A
Jan 4-17

Mar 2-15

Jan 18-Feb 8
Spinach N/A N/A

Feb 1- 8

Sweet Mar 15-29


N/A
Potatoes
Feb 1- 8

Mar 19-29

Jan 18-Feb 1 Feb 8-15


Swiss Chard N/A

Feb 1 Feb 8-15

Dec 21-Jan
Mar 1-22
Thyme 18 N/A

Mar 2-18
Jan 2-17
Tomatoes Jan 4-18 Mar 8-29 N/A

Jan 4-17 Mar 8-18

Feb 1-22
Turnips N/A N/A

Feb 17-22

Feb 1- 8 Mar 15-29


Watermelons N/A

Feb 1- 8 Mar 15-18

Feb 1-15 Mar 15-29


Zucchini N/A

Feb 1-15 Mar 15-18

Planting Dates for Fall


On average, your first fall frost occurs on December 8 (at SAN
JOSE, CA climate station).

Based on Frost Dates


Crop
Start Seeds Plant Start Seeds
Indoors Seedlings Outdoors
by... Outdoors by... by...

Arugula N/A N/A


Nov 3

Beets N/A N/A


Oct 24

Bell Peppers N/A


Jun 25 Aug 20

Broccoli N/A
Aug 27 Sep 24

Cabbage N/A
Aug 17 Sep 14

Cantaloupes N/A N/A


Aug 10

Carrots N/A N/A


Oct 19

Cauliflower N/A
Aug 27 Sep 24

Celery N/A
Jun 16 Aug 25

Corn N/A N/A


Aug 30

Cucumbers N/A N/A


Sep 4

Eggplants N/A
Jun 25 Aug 20

Green Beans N/A N/A


Sep 4

Kale N/A
Sep 16 Oct 14

Kohlrabi N/A N/A


Oct 19

Lettuce N/A N/A


Oct 29

Okra N/A N/A


Aug 30

Parsnips N/A N/A


Sep 4
Peas N/A N/A
Oct 4

Potatoes N/A N/A


Sep 24

Pumpkins N/A N/A


Jul 21

Radishes N/A N/A


Nov 3

Spinach N/A N/A


Nov 13

Swiss Chard N/A N/A


Oct 29

Tomatoes N/A
Jun 30 Aug 25

Turnips N/A N/A


Oct 29

Watermelons N/A N/A


Aug 10

Zucchini N/A N/A


Sep 9

How to Use the Planting Calendar


This planting calendar is a guide that tells you the best time
to start planting your garden based on frost dates. Our
planting calendar is customized to your nearest weather
station in order to give you the most accurate information
possible. Please note:

The "Frost Dates" indicate the best planting dates


based on your local average frost dates. Average frost
dates are based on historical weather data and are the
planting guideline used by most gardeners. Although
frost dates are a good way to know approximately when
to start gardening, always check a local forecast before
planting outdoors!
The "Plant Seedlings or Transplants" dates indicate
the best time to plant young plants outdoors. This
includes plants grown from seed indoors at home and
small starter plants bought from a nursery.
When no dates ("N/A") appear in the chart, that
starting method is typically not recommended for that
particular plant, although it likely still possible. See each
plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific
planting information.
The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates
based on your local frost dates and Moon phases.
Planting by the Moon is considered a more traditional
technique. We use Moon-favorable dates at the very
start of the gardening season. It's a little complex for a
fall planting.

To plan your garden more accurately in the future, keep a


record of your garden's conditions each year, including frost
dates and seed-starting dates!

Frequently Asked Questions


Why Do You Start Seeds Indoors?

Starting seeds indoors (in seed trays or starter pots) gives


your crops a head start on the growing season, which is
especially important in regions with a short growing season.
Starting seeds indoors also provides young, tender plants a
chance to grow in a stable, controlled environment.
Outdoors, the unpredictability of rain, drought, frost, low
and high temperatures, sunlight, and pests and diseases can
take a toll on young plants, especially when they're just
getting started. Indoors, you can control these elements to
maximize your plants' early growth and give them the best
shot at thriving when they are eventually transplanted
outdoors.

For most crops that can be started indoors, seeds should be


started about 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date.
This gives the plants plenty of time to grow large and healthy
enough to survive their eventual transplanting to the
garden. Read more about starting seeds indoors here.

Which Seeds Should Be Started Indoors?

Not all vegetables should be started indoors! In fact, most


are better off being started directly in the garden (aka
"direct-sown"). The crops that should be started indoors are
those that are particularly susceptible to cold temperatures
or that have a very long growing season and need a head
start. These include tender vegetables such as tomatoes,
peppers, and eggplant, as well as crops with a long growing
season, like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts.

Most other crops do best when sown directly into the garden
soil. Root crops, including carrots, radishes, and beets, are
especially well-suited to being started directly in the garden,
since they do not like having their roots disturbed after
planting. The same is true for squash and watermelon,
though care must be taken to plant them when the soil is
warm enough. Read more about direct-sowing seeds here!

How Is Planting for a Fall Harvest Different?

Planting in late summer for a fall harvest has many benefits


(soil is already warm, temperatures are cooler, fewer
pests). However, the challenge is getting your crops
harvested before the winter frosts begin. When we calculate
fall planting dates (which are really in the summer), we must
account for several factors, such as the time to harvest once
the crop is mature and whether a crop is tender or hardy
when it comes to frost. The "days to maturity" of a crop and
the length of your growing season also factor into whether
you start seeds early indoors or directly sow seeds into the
ground outside. Note:

Warm-weather veggies
like beans, corn, squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, cant
aloupe, and watermelons are all sown directly into the
ground.
Tender heat-loving plants such as tomatoes,
bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, and eggplants take a
long time to mature and have a lengthy harvesting
period, so we generally don't plant a second round of
these crops for fall, as they won't ripen in time. (In
regions with mild winters, this may not be the case.)
These crops are typically started indoors early in the
season and transplanted.
Root vegetables (beets, carrots) do not transplant well,
so start seeds directly in the soil outside.
Peas are also best seeded into the ground; do not
transplant.
Cole crops like broccoli, cauliflower, kale,
and cabbage could be direct seeded, but because of
the heat of mid- and late summer, it's better to start
them indoors and then transplant them into the garden.
We tend to direct-sow leafy greens such
as lettuce, chard, and spinach, though some gardeners
will also sow indoors. It depends on your climate.
Note that garlic is not included in our planting chart. It's
a popular fall crop, but the dates vary wildly based on
location and it's really best to gauge garlic planting
dates with a soil thermometer. When the soil
temperature is 60°F (15.6°C) at a depth of 4 inches,
then plant your garlic. We'd advise checking our Garlic
Growing Guide for more information.

Read more about the best vegetables to plant in fall.

When Should You Transplant Seedlings?

When seedlings have grown too large for their seed trays or
starter pots, it's time to transplant. If it's not yet warm
enough to plant outdoors, transplant the seedlings to larger
plastic or peat pots indoors and continue care. If outdoor
conditions allow, start hardening off your seedlings
approximately one week before your last frost date,
then transplant them into the garden. Get more tips for
transplanting seedlings.

What Is Planting by the Moon?


Planting by the Moon (also called "Gardening by the Moon")
is a traditional way to plant your above- and below-ground
crops, especially at the start of the season. Here's how it
works:

Plant annual flowers and vegetables that bear crops


above ground during the light, or waxing, of the Moon.
In other words, plant from the day the Moon is new
until the day it is full.
Plant flowering bulbs, biennial and perennial flowers,
and vegetables that bear crops below ground during the
dark, or waning, of the Moon. In other words, plant from
the day after the Moon is full until the day before it is
new again.

Old-time farmers swear that this practice results in a larger,


tastier harvest, so we've included planting by the Moon
dates in our planting calendar, too. Learn more
about Planting and Gardening by the Moon.

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