Fresno, CA Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Fresno

In October:

• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Oct 1)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Oct 1)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Oct 1)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Oct 1)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Oct 11)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Oct 11)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Oct 21)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 31)

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Jan 14, 50% risk), balanced = Jan 29 (30%), safe = Feb 11 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

Frost odds aren't the only check. CSU recommends measuring soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before you sow. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so we list each crop's minimum soil temperature from CSU instead of a date.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Fresno

What to plant in Fresno in January

• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Jan 14 – Feb 11)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Jan 14 – Feb 11)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Jan 14 – Feb 11)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Jan 14 – Feb 11)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Jan 28 – Feb 25)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Jan 28 – Feb 25)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Feb 25)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Feb 25)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Feb 25)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Dec 11 – Jan 1)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Dec 18 – Jan 1)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)

What to plant in Fresno in February

• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Jan 14 – Feb 11)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Jan 14 – Feb 11)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Jan 14 – Feb 11)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Jan 14 – Feb 11)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Jan 28 – Feb 25)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Jan 28 – Feb 25)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Feb 25)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Feb 25)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Feb 25)

What to plant in Fresno in March

• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 5–19)

What to plant in Fresno in April

• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Apr 23)

What to plant in Fresno in July

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 19 – Aug 2)

What to plant in Fresno in August

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Aug 8–22)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 19 – Aug 2)

What to plant in Fresno in September

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Sep 6)
• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Sep 17)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Sep 21)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Sep 22)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Sep 26)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Sep 26)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Sep 27)

What to plant in Fresno in October

• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Oct 1)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Oct 1)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Oct 1)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Oct 1)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Oct 11)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Oct 11)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Oct 21)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 31)

What to plant in Fresno in November

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Nov 13–27)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Nov 13–27)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Nov 27 – Dec 11)

What to plant in Fresno in December

• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Dec 11 – Jan 1)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Dec 17 – Jan 28)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Dec 18 – Jan 1)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Dec 31 – Feb 11)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Nov 27 – Dec 11)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Fresno

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to transplant tomatoes at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, with nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would put Fresno at about Jan 28, but the average nightly low at Fresno Yosemite International Airport isn't above 52°F until Apr 23, so the transplant date is about Apr 23 for the typical, balanced and safer choices alike. Start seeds indoors Mar 5–19, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Apr 23. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Fresno Yosemite International Airport, the normal low reaches 55°F on May 5. Set out on Apr 23, tomato plants would start producing around Jun 27, based on CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 170 days before the typical first frost (Dec 14).

When to plant peppers in Fresno

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts peppers outside around Jan 28 (typical date), Feb 12 (balanced) or Feb 25 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Dec 18 – Jan 1, 6–8 weeks ahead of transplanting on Feb 12. CSU notes that nights under 55°F hurt fruit set. The normal low at Fresno Yosemite International Airport climbs to 55°F on May 5. Using CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest, pepper plants set out on Feb 12 would start producing around Apr 23. That's 235 days before the typical first frost (Dec 14).

When to plant potatoes in Fresno

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting potatoes as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 45°F or warmer. For Fresno, that's roughly Dec 31 – Jan 14 by the typical date or Jan 28 – Feb 11 by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Fresno

Hardy crop. Per CSU, onions (dry, from sets) can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For Fresno, that works out to roughly Dec 17–31 (typical date) or Jan 14–28 (safer date).

When to plant peas in Fresno

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Fresno, that's roughly Dec 17–31 going by the typical date, or Jan 14–28 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 79 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 26, or by Sep 11 to be safe.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Fresno

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Fresno, that's roughly Dec 17–31 going by the typical date, or Jan 14–28 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Oct 1 (Sep 16 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Fresno

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says carrots can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Fresno, that's roughly Dec 31 – Jan 14 going by the typical date, or Jan 28 – Feb 11 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 21, or by Sep 6 to be safe. That's 84 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beans (snap) in Fresno

Tender crop. CSU's timing for beans (snap) is around the average last frost, which is about Jan 14 in Fresno. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Feb 11. Seeds want soil at 55°F or warmer. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 17, or by Sep 2 to be safe. That's 88 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Fresno

Tender crop. CSU's timing for summer squash is around the average last frost, which is about Jan 14 in Fresno. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Feb 11. Seeds want soil at 60°F or warmer. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 27, or by Sep 12 to be safe. That's 78 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant broccoli in Fresno

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Fresno, that's roughly Dec 17–31 going by the typical date, or Jan 14–28 going by the safer date. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, broccoli plants set out on Jan 1 would start producing around Mar 7. That's 282 days before the typical first frost (Dec 14). For a fall crop, set broccoli transplants out by Sep 26. That's UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Dec 14), using CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest. If you grow your own transplants, start seeds Aug 8–22 (CSU: 5–7 weeks to transplant size).

When to plant cabbage in Fresno

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Dec 17–31 in Fresno using the typical date, or Jan 14–28 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for cabbage plants is 85 days. Set out on Jan 1, they would start producing around Mar 27, 262 days before the typical first frost (Dec 14). For a fall harvest of cabbage, get transplants in the ground by Sep 6 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Dec 14, with CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jul 19 – Aug 2, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cauliflower in Fresno

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, cauliflower can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Dec 31 – Jan 14 in Fresno (typical date) or Jan 28 – Feb 11 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F.

When to plant kohlrabi in Fresno

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Dec 17–31 in Fresno using the typical date, or Jan 14–28 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, count back 64 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Oct 11, or by Sep 26 to be safe.

When to plant green onions in Fresno

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Fresno, that's roughly Dec 17–31 going by the typical date, or Jan 14–28 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Oct 1, or by Sep 16 to be safe.

When to plant radishes in Fresno

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Fresno, that's roughly Dec 17–31 going by the typical date, or Jan 14–28 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Oct 31 (Oct 16 to be safe), which is 44 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Fresno

Hardy crop. Per CSU, spinach can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Fresno, that works out to roughly Dec 17–31 (typical date) or Jan 14–28 (safer date). For fall, sow by Oct 21 (Oct 6 to be safe), which is 54 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Fresno

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Dec 17–31 in Fresno using the typical date, or Jan 14–28 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Oct 11, or by Sep 26 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Fresno

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, beets can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Dec 31 – Jan 14 in Fresno (typical date) or Jan 28 – Feb 11 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Oct 1, or by Sep 16 to be safe.

When to plant swiss chard in Fresno

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, swiss chard can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Dec 31 – Jan 14 in Fresno (typical date) or Jan 28 – Feb 11 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Oct 1, or by Sep 16 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Fresno

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting parsnips as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 35°F or warmer. For Fresno, that's roughly Dec 31 – Jan 14 by the typical date or Jan 28 – Feb 11 by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Fresno

Tender crop. CSU's timing for sweet corn is around the average last frost, which is about Jan 14 in Fresno. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Feb 11. Seeds want soil at 50°F or warmer.

When to plant cucumbers in Fresno

Tender crop. CSU says to sow cucumbers around the average last frost, about Jan 14 in Fresno. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Feb 11. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 22, or by Sep 7 to be safe. That's 83 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Fresno

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set eggplant out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Jan 28 using the typical date, Feb 12 as a balanced choice, or Feb 25 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Dec 11 – Jan 1, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on Feb 12. Set out on Feb 12, eggplant plants would start producing around Apr 13, based on CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 245 days before the typical first frost (Dec 14).

When to plant cantaloupe in Fresno

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant cantaloupe at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Jan 28 using the typical date, Feb 12 as a balanced choice, or Feb 25 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Fresno

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant watermelon at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Jan 28 using the typical date, Feb 12 as a balanced choice, or Feb 25 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Fresno

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant winter squash 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Jan 28 (typical date), Feb 12 (balanced) or Feb 25 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Fresno?

Tomatoes: Mar 5–19. Peppers: Dec 18 – Jan 1. Both windows count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Fresno?

Set tomatoes out about Apr 23. The date is the same at every risk level. CSU's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost would allow about Jan 28 here, but CSU also wants nights above 52°F, and the average nightly low at Fresno Yosemite International Airport isn't above that until Apr 23.

What can I plant in Fresno in the fall?

These sowing deadlines count back from the typical first frost (Dec 14) using UNL Extension's method: peas by Sep 26; lettuce (leaf) by Oct 1; carrots by Sep 21; beans (snap) by Sep 17; summer squash by Sep 27; broccoli by Sep 26 (transplants); cabbage by Sep 6 (transplants); kohlrabi by Oct 11; green onions by Oct 1; radishes by Oct 31; spinach by Oct 21; turnips by Oct 11; beets by Oct 1; swiss chard by Oct 1; cucumbers by Sep 22.

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