When to Plant Potatoes in California
In California, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Dec 11 – Dec 25 in Fremont to Dec 10 – Dec 24 in Oxnard. In Los Angeles, it's Dec 12 – Dec 26. The average last spring frost differs by about 52 weeks across the state (Jan 1 in Fremont, Dec 31 in Oxnard), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in California by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 10a | Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Bakersfield | 9b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 |
| Chula Vista | 10b | Dec 16 – Dec 30 |
| Corona | 10a | Dec 27 – Jan 10 |
| Elk Grove | 9b | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
| Escondido | 10a | Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Fontana | 10a | Dec 14 – Dec 28 |
| Fremont | 10a | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Fresno | 9b | Dec 24 – Jan 7 |
| Garden Grove | 10b | Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Glendale | 10a | Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Hayward | 10a | Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Huntington Beach | 10b | Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Irvine | 10a | Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Lancaster | 8a | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Long Beach | 10b | Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Los Angeles | 10b | Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Modesto | 9b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 |
| Moreno Valley | 9b | Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| Oakland | 10a | Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Oceanside | 10a | Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Ontario | 10a | Dec 14 – Dec 28 |
| Oxnard | 10b | Dec 10 – Dec 24 |
| Palmdale | 8b | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Pomona | 10a | Dec 18 – Jan 1 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 10a | Dec 14 – Dec 28 |
| Riverside | 10a | Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Roseville | 9b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Sacramento | 9b | Dec 22 – Jan 5 |
| Salinas | 9b | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| San Bernardino | 10a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| San Diego | 10b | Dec 16 – Dec 30 |
| San Francisco | 10a | Dec 9 – Dec 23 |
| San Jose | 9b | Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Santa Ana | 10b | Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Santa Clarita | 10a | Dec 18 – Jan 1 |
| Santa Rosa | 9a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Stockton | 9b | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Sunnyvale | 10a | Dec 16 – Dec 30 |
| Visalia | 9b | Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in California, or the general guide to when to plant potatoes.
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