When to plant potato in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant potato shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about December 1 in San Mateo to May 12 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 | December 5 – December 19 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | December 9 – December 23 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | December 5 – December 19 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | December 2 – December 16 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | December 17 – December 31 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | December 15 – December 29 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | December 12 – December 26 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | December 10 – December 24 |
Potato in California: FAQ
When can I plant potato in California?
Across California, the time to direct-sow potato spans roughly December 1 in San Mateo to May 12 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the potato planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 cities with their own frost dates, so the right potato 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 potato take to grow in California?
Potato takes about 70–120 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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