When to plant popcorn in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant popcorn shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about December 29 in San Mateo to June 9 in Truckee — below are local dates for 497 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10b | January 2 | December 26 | January 2 – January 16 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | January 6 – January 20 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | January 2 – January 16 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | December 30 – January 13 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | January 14 – January 28 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | January 12 – January 26 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | January 9 – January 23 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | January 7 – January 21 |
Popcorn in California: FAQ
When can I plant popcorn in California?
Across California, the time to direct-sow popcorn spans roughly December 29 in San Mateo to June 9 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the popcorn planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 cities with their own frost dates, so the right popcorn planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does popcorn take to grow in California?
Popcorn takes about 90–120 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.