Planting dates for Los Angeles
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Torrance Ap, the official station 29 km from Los Angeles, California.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Los Angeles (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | November 28 | January 16 |
| Pepper | November 14 | January 23 |
| Peas | – | December 5 |
| Lettuce | November 14 | December 12 |
| Carrot | – | December 19 |
| Bush beans | – | January 16 |
| Garlic | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | December 26 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Los Angeles planting questions
When is the last frost in Los Angeles?
Around January 9, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Torrance Ap, the official station 29 km from Los Angeles. Half of years see frost after the mean, so tender crops usually wait a week or more past it.
When can I plant tomatoes in Los Angeles?
Start seeds indoors around November 28 and transplant around January 16, once nights hold above 50F. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Los Angeles.
How long is the growing season in Los Angeles?
About 365 frost-free days on average, from roughly January 9 to January 5. Crops whose days-to-maturity exceed that window need transplants, short-season varieties, or season extension.
How this page was made
Every date above is computed from the NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals at Torrance Ap: the 30-year mean dates of last spring and first fall frost, with crop offsets from standard horticultural practice. Full method and crop sources: data and methodology. These are planning averages, not forecasts: half of years frost later than the mean, so harden off transplants and watch the local forecast at the shoulders of the season.
More for Los Angeles: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 2697 stations.