Planting dates for San Diego
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at San Diego Brown Fld, the official station 22 km from San Diego, California.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for San Diego (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | November 25 | January 13 |
| Pepper | November 11 | January 20 |
| Peas | – | December 2 |
| Lettuce | November 11 | December 9 |
| Carrot | – | December 16 |
| Bush beans | – | January 13 |
| Garlic | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | December 23 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
San Diego planting questions
When is the last frost in San Diego?
Around January 6, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at San Diego Brown Fld, the official station 22 km from San Diego. 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 San Diego?
Start seeds indoors around November 25 and transplant around January 13, once nights hold above 50F. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for San Diego.
How long is the growing season in San Diego?
About 365 frost-free days on average, from roughly January 6 to December 31. 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 San Diego Brown Fld: 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 San Diego: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 2697 stations.