Sacramento, CA planting zone & frost dates
Sacramento is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around January 12 and the first fall frost around December 16, for a growing season of about 341 days.
Planting calendar for Sacramento
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 12) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Nov 17 – Dec 1 Transplant outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 3 – Nov 17 Transplant outdoors: Jan 26 – Feb 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 3 – Nov 17 Transplant outdoors: Jan 26 – Feb 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 3 – Nov 17 Transplant outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 3 – Nov 17 Transplant outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 1 – Dec 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 1 – Dec 15 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 1 – Dec 15 Transplant outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 21 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 16).
Useful for zone 9b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 18 | Jan 12 | Feb 8 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 14 | Dec 16 | Nov 28 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 8, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 28. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around December 31.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Sacramento
- 94203 zone 9b
- 94204 zone 9b
- 94205 zone 9b
- 94206 zone 9b
- 94207 zone 9b
- 94208 zone 9b
- 94209 zone 9b
- 94211 zone 9b
- 94229 zone 9b
- 94230 zone 9b
- 94232 zone 9b
- 94234 zone 9b
- 94235 zone 9b
- 94236 zone 9b
- 94237 zone 9b
- 94239 zone 9b
- 94240 zone 9b
- 94244 zone 9b
- 94245 zone 9b
- 94247 zone 9b
- 94248 zone 9b
- 94249 zone 9b
- 94250 zone 9b
- 94252 zone 9b
- 94254 zone 9b
- 94256 zone 9b
- 94257 zone 9b
- 94258 zone 9b
- 94259 zone 9b
- 94261 zone 9b
- 94262 zone 9b
- 94263 zone 9b
- 94267 zone 9b
- 94268 zone 9b
- 94269 zone 9b
- 94271 zone 9b
- 94273 zone 9b
- 94274 zone 9b
- 94277 zone 9b
- 94278 zone 9b
- 94279 zone 9b
- 94280 zone 9b
- 94282 zone 9b
- 94283 zone 9b
- 94284 zone 9b
- 94285 zone 9b
- 94287 zone 9b
- 94288 zone 9b
- 94289 zone 9b
- 94290 zone 9b
- 94291 zone 9b
- 94293 zone 9b
- 94294 zone 9b
- 94295 zone 9b
- 94296 zone 9b
- 94297 zone 9b
- 94298 zone 9b
- 94299 zone 9b
- 95811 zone 9b
- 95812 zone 9b
- 95813 zone 9b
- 95814 zone 9b
- 95815 zone 9b
- 95816 zone 9b
- 95817 zone 9b
- 95818 zone 9b
- 95819 zone 9b
- 95820 zone 9b
- 95821 zone 9b
- 95822 zone 9b
- 95823 zone 9b
- 95824 zone 9b
- 95825 zone 9b
- 95826 zone 9b
- 95827 zone 9b
- 95828 zone 9b
- 95829 zone 9b
- 95830 zone 9b
- 95831 zone 9b
- 95832 zone 9b
- 95833 zone 9b
- 95834 zone 9b
- 95835 zone 9b
- 95837 zone 9b
- 95838 zone 9b
- 95840 zone 9b
- 95841 zone 9b
- 95842 zone 9b
- 95851 zone 9b
- 95852 zone 9b
- 95853 zone 9b
- 95860 zone 9b
- 95864 zone 9b
- 95865 zone 9b
- 95866 zone 9b
- 95867 zone 9b
- 95894 zone 9b
- 95899 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- West Sacramento zone 9b, last frost Feb 2
- Parkway zone 9b, last frost Feb 2
- Arden-Arcade zone 9b, last frost Jan 12
- Rio Linda zone 9b, last frost Feb 22
- Florin zone 9b, last frost Jan 12
- Rosemont zone 9b, last frost Jan 12
- La Riviera zone 9b, last frost Jan 12
- North Highlands zone 9b, last frost Jan 12
Questions
What growing zone is Sacramento, CA?
Sacramento is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Sacramento?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Sacramento is January 12. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 8.
When can I plant tomatoes in Sacramento?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jan 19 – Jan 26. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Sacramento 5 Ese, CA (USW00023271), 7.3 km (4.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 12 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.