When to Plant Sweet Corn in California
In California, the time to sow sweet corn outside runs from Jan 8 – Jan 22 in Fremont to Jan 7 – Jan 21 in Oxnard. In Los Angeles, it's Jan 9 – Jan 23. 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.
Sow corn in blocks rather than single rows so it pollinates well. Wait for soil around 60°F.
- Sow outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Sweet Corn planting dates in California by city
| City | Zone | Sow outside |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 10a | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
| Bakersfield | 9b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Chula Vista | 10b | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Corona | 10a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Elk Grove | 9b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Escondido | 10a | Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Fontana | 10a | Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Fremont | 10a | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Fresno | 9b | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Garden Grove | 10b | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
| Glendale | 10a | Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Hayward | 10a | Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Huntington Beach | 10b | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
| Irvine | 10a | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
| Lancaster | 8a | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Long Beach | 10b | Jan 16 – Jan 30 |
| Los Angeles | 10b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Modesto | 9b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Moreno Valley | 9b | Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Oakland | 10a | Jan 14 – Jan 28 |
| Oceanside | 10a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Ontario | 10a | Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Oxnard | 10b | Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Palmdale | 8b | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Pomona | 10a | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 10a | Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Riverside | 10a | Jan 16 – Jan 30 |
| Roseville | 9b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Sacramento | 9b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 |
| Salinas | 9b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| San Bernardino | 10a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| San Diego | 10b | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| San Francisco | 10a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| San Jose | 9b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Santa Ana | 10b | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
| Santa Clarita | 10a | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Santa Rosa | 9a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Stockton | 9b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Sunnyvale | 10a | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Visalia | 9b | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
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 sweet corn.
Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.