Brought to you by garden.gg Zone 10b Planting Calendar & Schedule
Zone 10 is a frost-free to nearly frost-free subtropical/tropical climate with hot, humid or hot-dry summers and warm, mild winters that rarely (if ever) dip below 30-35°F. The growing calendar is inverted relative to colder zones: winter is the prime vegetable-growing season while mid-summer heat, intense sun, and pests force a slowdown for most cool-season and many heat-sensitive crops.
Zone 10b is the warmer half of USDA zone 10, where the average coldest winter night bottoms out at 35 to 40°F. Compared with the zone 10 averages, the last spring frost in zone 10b comes about a week earlier (Jan 8) and the first fall frost about a week later (Jan 7), for a growing season of about 364 days. That leaves an average frost window of only a few days in early January (Jan 7 to Jan 8); the rest of the year is frost-free on average. Every planting window on this page is shifted to match: spring sowing and transplant dates move a week earlier, fall plantings a week later. Crop notes still quote zone 10 timing.
Zone 10 treats frost as a rare event, not an annual boundary: South Florida, coastal Southern California from Los Angeles to San Diego, Phoenix and Tucson, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley all run about 350 growing days. Prime vegetable season is October through May, when nights cool off and pest pressure drops. Summer belongs to heat specialists like okra, sweet potatoes, and cowpeas, plus shade cloth in the desert cities.
States & regions in Zone 10: South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples), Coastal and inland Southern California (Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County), Southwest desert lowlands (Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona), South Texas / Lower Rio Grande Valley (Brownsville, McAllen), Coastal Southern Louisiana, Hawaii lowlands
Tropical growing with no off-season.
Zone 10 doesn't have winter. You can grow tropical fruits, year-round herbs, and successive vegetable harvests every month. The challenge is managing heat, humidity, and the pests that never go dormant. But the payoff? Fresh food every single day.
Pro tip: Grow lettuce and greens in partial shade during summer. Full sun will fry them in zone 10 heat.
Save a planting for your zone 10b garden — free
What to Plant in Zone 10b This Fall (September–November)
The average first fall frost in zone 10b is Jan 7. To find the last safe planting date for any fall crop, count back from that date by its days to maturity plus a 14-day fall factor — growth slows as days shorten and soil cools. Applied to zone 10b's frost date, that gives these plant-by dates:
Plant by Oct 5
80 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Oct 10
75 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Oct 15
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Nov 4
50 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Zone 10a and 10b: these dates count back from zone 10b's first frost, which is about a week later than the zone 10 average of Dec 31. Zone 10a gardeners have about two weeks less fall time — see the zone 10a fall dates.
Fall crops on this zone 10b calendar include Tomato, Pepper (Bell & Hot), Eggplant, Cucumber, Summer Squash, Zucchini, Winter Squash, Bush Bean, Pole Bean, Lettuce, Kale, Swiss Chard, and 20 more. Each crop's sowing and transplant window is in the fall planting section below.
For month-by-month detail, see what to plant in October across every zone, what to plant in September, and the fall vegetable planting guide by zone.
What to Plant by Season in Zone 10b
The right crops and methods for each season, based on zone 10b's climate and frost timing.
What to Plant in Spring
Spring (roughly February through April) is the warm-season planting window before summer heat peaks. Get heat-loving fruiting crops, beans, and squash in early so they set fruit before extreme heat, intense sun, and humidity-driven pests/disease shut pollination down in June-July.
Jan 25 - Mar 3
Set out early; heat above ~90F stops fruit set, so aim for harvest by late spring. Choose heat-tolerant/short-season varieties.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Peppers tolerate zone 10 heat better than tomatoes and can carry through summer with afternoon shade.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Excellent zone 10 performer; productive well into the hot months.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Plant at least two for cross-pollination; heat-tolerant.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Self-sows readily; thrives in warm soil.
Jan 25 - Apr 23
Fast crop; succession sow before peak heat and use trellises for airflow.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Plant early; powdery mildew and vine borers worsen as humidity climbs.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Quick yields before midsummer pest pressure peaks.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Needs a long warm run; give vines room and good airflow.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Long-season; in FL many grow tropical pumpkin (calabaza) types for heat.
Jan 25 - Apr 23
Loves the heat; needs full sun and consistent water for sweet fruit.
Jan 25 - Apr 23
Prime zone 10 crop; sandy warm soil and steady moisture.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Wait for warm soil; one of the most heat- and humidity-tolerant summer crops.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Plant in blocks for pollination; finish before peak heat for best ear fill.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Fast; succession sow until heat (>90F) drops blossoms.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Trellised for airflow; harvest before the worst summer heat.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Heat-loving; tolerates zone 10 summers better than common beans.
Jan 25 - Apr 23
Warm-soil crop; harvest pods at the plump-green stage.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Long warm season and sandy soil suit zone 10 (esp. FL/TX) perfectly.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Outstanding hot-season legume; thrives where common beans fail.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Tropical asparagus bean; loves the heat and humidity of zone 10 summers.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Plant slips into warm soil; one of the best zone 10 summer staples.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Heat-loving leafy green that replaces true spinach all summer.
Jan 25 - Apr 23
Heat-tolerant spinach substitute for warm months.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Thrives in heat; cut-and-come-again summer green.
Jan 25 - Apr 23
Heat-lover; pinch flowers and it produces all summer.
Feb 22 - Apr 23
Perennial in zone 10; plant once and harvest year-round.
Jan 25 - Apr 23
Easy and fast; great pollinator draw and seed crop.
Jan 25 - Apr 23
Pest-deterrent companion; thrives in heat.
Jan 25 - Apr 23
Heat- and drought-tolerant cut flower; pollinator magnet.
Jan 25 - Apr 23
Loves heat and poor soil; long bloom into summer.
Jan 25 - Mar 24
Edible flowers; fades in peak heat, so plant on the early side.
What to Plant in Summer
Summer (May through September) is zone 10's hardest season: extreme heat, intense UV, drenching humidity (FL/Gulf) or aridity (desert SW), and heavy pest/disease pressure. Plant only the toughest tropical heat-lovers, use afternoon shade and mulch, and treat the deep-summer lull as a soil-building and cover-cropping period.
Apr 24 - Jul 24
Possibly the best true summer producer; harvest pods every day or two.
Apr 24 - Jun 23
Vigorous in summer heat; vines also act as living mulch and edible greens.
Apr 24 - Aug 24
Productive through the hottest months; also a nitrogen-fixing cover crop.
Apr 24 - Aug 24
Keeps setting pods in heat that stops common beans.
Apr 24 - Jun 23
More heat-tolerant than bush/pole beans for early summer.
Apr 24 - Jun 23
Thrives in summer heat; needs a long frost-free run, which zone 10 easily provides.
Apr 24 - Aug 24
Vining heat-proof green; the reliable summer 'spinach' for zone 10.
Apr 24 - Jul 24
Tolerates heat and some drought; ground-covering greens.
Apr 24 - Aug 24
Cut-and-come-again leaves through the hottest weeks.
Apr 24 - Jul 24
Tropical vine that revels in heat and humidity; trellis it.
Apr 24 - Jun 23
Long-season tropical gourd; eat young or grow out for sponges.
Apr 24 - Jun 23
Plant a whole sprouting fruit; perennial vine in zone 10, very productive.
Apr 24 - Jun 23
Carries through summer better than tomato; provide afternoon shade in desert SW.
Apr 24 - Jun 23
Hot peppers especially keep producing; shade cloth helps set fruit in extreme heat.
Apr 24 - Aug 24
Peak-season herb; keep pinching flowers for continuous leaves.
Apr 24 - Jul 24
Loves summer heat; clumps expand fast and can be divided.
Apr 24 - Jul 24
Tender perennial sweetener that thrives in zone 10 warmth.
Apr 24 - Jul 24
Keep in containers and partial shade; needs steady water in summer.
Apr 24 - Jul 24
Heat-proof; provides shade and pollinator/seed value.
Apr 24 - Aug 24
Among the most heat-tolerant cut flowers; deadhead for continuous bloom.
Apr 24 - Aug 24
Tolerates heat and lean soil; airy summer color.
Apr 24 - Jul 24
Holds up in heat; useful pest companion through summer.
What to Plant in Fall
Fall (September through November) is the transition into zone 10's main season as temperatures ease. This is when you re-sow the warm-season fruiting crops for a second harvest AND begin starting cool-season greens and brassicas for winter. It is arguably the busiest and most productive planting window of the year.
Sep 8 - Nov 7
Fall crop often outperforms spring; cooler nights improve fruit set through winter harvest.
Sep 8 - Nov 7
Set out for a long fall-into-winter harvest.
Sep 8 - Nov 7
Strong fall producer as heat backs off.
Sep 8 - Nov 7
Second crop; cooler weather reduces pest pressure.
Sep 8 - Nov 7
Fall planting dodges peak summer vine borers.
Sep 8 - Nov 7
Reliable fall crop in cooler, drier weather.
Sep 8 - Oct 7
Sow early in fall to mature through the mild winter.
Sep 8 - Nov 7
Fall beans set well as nights cool.
Sep 8 - Nov 7
Trellised fall crop; long harvest into winter.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Cool-season star; succession sow all fall and winter.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Best flavor in cool weather; harvests through winter.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Tolerates both warm and cool; long cut-and-come-again season.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Heat- and cool-tolerant; classic Southern fall/winter green.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Fast, spicy greens for fall and winter.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Quick cool-season green; bolts in heat so wait for fall.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Fast Asian green for fall; succession sow.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Set transplants as heat eases for winter heads.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Needs the cool of fall/winter; time so heads form in mild weather.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Cool-season; reliable winter harvest in zone 10.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Sweetens in cool soil; keep seedbed moist for germination.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Dual-purpose roots and greens; thrives in cool season.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Fast (3-4 weeks); succession sow all fall and winter.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Long mild roots; also a soil-loosening cover crop.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Use short-day varieties only in zone 10 for proper bulbing.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Quick and forgiving; harvest at any size.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Plant softneck cloves; zone 10 garlic benefits from pre-chilling the cloves.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Plant seed potatoes in fall for a winter/early-spring harvest.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Cool-season only; bolts fast in heat, so this is its season.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Direct sow; dislikes transplanting and summer heat.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Slow to germinate; productive through the cool season.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Cool-season edible flower; long bloom through winter.
Oct 8 - Dec 7
Cool-season cut flower; blooms through zone 10 winter.
What to Plant in Winter
Winter (December through February) is zone 10's PRIME growing season. Frost is rare to absent, so this is when nearly the entire cool-season catalog flourishes: lettuces, brassicas, root crops, peas, and cool herbs all produce abundantly with minimal pest pressure. Keep succession-sowing greens and roots throughout.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Peak season; succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Sweetest in winter cool; harvest outer leaves continuously.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Productive all winter; very low-maintenance.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Mainstay winter green; flavor improves with cool nights.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Fast spicy greens; succession sow.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Crisp and mild in winter cool; quick turnaround.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Cool-season Asian green; mild and fast.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Rosette green for winter salads and stir-fries.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Thrives in winter; bolts if planted into warmth.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Needs the cool of winter to head up properly.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Cool-season; harvest flower stalks and leaves.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Fast cool-season green; harvest before it fully flowers.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Winter is ideal for tight heads; harvest side shoots after main head.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Cool winter weather gives the best curds; blanch by tying leaves.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Heads well in winter cool; minimal pest pressure now.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Quick cool-season bulbing brassica; harvest at tennis-ball size.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Sweet in cool soil; keep evenly moist for germination.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Roots and greens both; reliable winter root.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
3-4 week turnaround; great winter succession crop.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Long roots in cool soil; mild and crisp.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Cool-season legume; zone 10 winter is its window. Trellis tall types.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Sweet edible pods in cool weather; harvest young and often.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Cool-season legume (z3-10); also fixes nitrogen for spring beds.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Short-day varieties only; bulbs size up as days lengthen.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Harvest at any size all winter long.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Plant sets in cool soil; harvest as bulbs mature in spring.
Dec 8 - Jan 7
Late window for softneck cloves; pre-chill for better bulbing in mild zone 10 winters.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Needs the long cool season; keep consistently moist.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Cool-season chicory; blanch the heart for milder flavor.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Bulbs best in cool weather; bolts if it gets warm.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Plant seed potatoes for a late-winter/spring harvest.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Its best season in zone 10; harvest leaves before the spring warm-up bolts it.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Cool-season productive; will hold into spring.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Cool-season; direct sow as it resents transplanting.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Fast peppery green; ideal in winter cool.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Grow in constantly wet soil or near water; cool-season green.
Dec 8 - Mar 7
Blooms through the mild winter; edible petals and pollinator support.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Cool-season cut flower at its zone 10 peak now.
Dec 8 - Feb 7
Self-sowing edible flower; supports pollinators in the cool season.
Save a planting from your zone 10 calendar
Choose a crop and a date that suits your local conditions. Create a free account or sign in, then review and save your planting plan. Your saved plan is available on web, iOS, and Android.
Zone calendars are starting points, not local forecasts. Check local frost dates, soil temperature, and the crop's planting instructions before choosing a date. This does not change your profile's zone.
Full Planting Timing Table
Start-indoors, direct-sow, transplant, and harvest windows for every crop in zone 10b.
Vegetables
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | Apr 24 - Aug 24 | — | — | Cut-and-come-again leaves through the hottest weeks. |
| Arugula | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Crisp and mild in winter cool; quick turnaround. |
| Beet | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Roots and greens both; reliable winter root. |
| Bitter Melon | — | Apr 24 - Jul 24 | — | — | Tropical vine that revels in heat and humidity; trellis it. |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Thrives in winter; bolts if planted into warmth. |
| Broccoli | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Winter is ideal for tight heads; harvest side shoots after main head. |
| Broccoli Raab (Rapini) | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | Fast cool-season green; harvest before it fully flowers. |
| Bush Bean | — | Sep 8 - Nov 7 | — | — | Fall beans set well as nights cool. |
| Cabbage | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Heads well in winter cool; minimal pest pressure now. |
| Carrot | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Sweet in cool soil; keep evenly moist for germination. |
| Cauliflower | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Cool winter weather gives the best curds; blanch by tying leaves. |
| Celery | — | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | Needs the long cool season; keep consistently moist. |
| Chayote | — | — | Apr 24 - Jun 23 | — | Plant a whole sprouting fruit; perennial vine in zone 10, very productive. |
| Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) | — | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | Cool-season; harvest flower stalks and leaves. |
| Collards | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Mainstay winter green; flavor improves with cool nights. |
| Corn (Sweet) | — | Jan 25 - Mar 24 | — | — | Plant in blocks for pollination; finish before peak heat for best ear fill. |
| Cowpea / Southern Pea | — | Apr 24 - Aug 24 | — | — | Productive through the hottest months; also a nitrogen-fixing cover crop. |
| Cucumber | — | Sep 8 - Nov 7 | — | — | Second crop; cooler weather reduces pest pressure. |
| Daikon Radish | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Long roots in cool soil; mild and crisp. |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | Jan 25 - Apr 23 | — | — | Warm-soil crop; harvest pods at the plump-green stage. |
| Eggplant | — | — | Sep 8 - Nov 7 | — | Excellent zone 10 performer; productive well into the hot months. |
| Endive / Escarole | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | Cool-season chicory; blanch the heart for milder flavor. |
| Fava Bean | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | Cool-season legume (z3-10); also fixes nitrogen for spring beds. |
| Fennel (Bulbing) | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | Bulbs best in cool weather; bolts if it gets warm. |
| Garden Pea | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | Cool-season legume; zone 10 winter is its window. Trellis tall types. |
| Garlic | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Plant softneck cloves; zone 10 garlic benefits from pre-chilling the cloves. |
| Kale | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Sweetest in winter cool; harvest outer leaves continuously. |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | Quick cool-season bulbing brassica; harvest at tennis-ball size. |
| Lettuce | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Peak season; succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. |
| Lima Bean | — | Apr 24 - Jun 23 | — | — | More heat-tolerant than bush/pole beans for early summer. |
| Luffa | — | Apr 24 - Jun 23 | — | — | Long-season tropical gourd; eat young or grow out for sponges. |
| Malabar Spinach | — | Apr 24 - Aug 24 | — | — | Vining heat-proof green; the reliable summer 'spinach' for zone 10. |
| Mizuna | — | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | Cool-season Asian green; mild and fast. |
| Mustard Greens | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Fast spicy greens; succession sow. |
| Napa Cabbage | — | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | Needs the cool of winter to head up properly. |
| New Zealand Spinach | — | Apr 24 - Jul 24 | — | — | Tolerates heat and some drought; ground-covering greens. |
| Okra | — | Apr 24 - Jul 24 | — | — | Possibly the best true summer producer; harvest pods every day or two. |
| Onion (Bulb) | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Use short-day varieties only in zone 10 for proper bulbing. |
| Peanut | — | Apr 24 - Jun 23 | — | — | Thrives in summer heat; needs a long frost-free run, which zone 10 easily provides. |
| Pepper (Bell & Hot) | — | — | Sep 8 - Nov 7 | — | Peppers tolerate zone 10 heat better than tomatoes and can carry through summer with afternoon shade. |
| Pole Bean | — | Sep 8 - Nov 7 | — | — | Trellised fall crop; long harvest into winter. |
| Potato | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Plant seed potatoes in fall for a winter/early-spring harvest. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jan 25 - Mar 24 | — | — | Long-season; in FL many grow tropical pumpkin (calabaza) types for heat. |
| Radish | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | 3-4 week turnaround; great winter succession crop. |
| Scallion / Green Onion | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Quick and forgiving; harvest at any size. |
| Shallot | — | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | Plant sets in cool soil; harvest as bulbs mature in spring. |
| Snap / Snow Pea | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | Sweet edible pods in cool weather; harvest young and often. |
| Summer Squash | — | Sep 8 - Nov 7 | — | — | Fall planting dodges peak summer vine borers. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Apr 24 - Jun 23 | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | Vigorous in summer heat; vines also act as living mulch and edible greens. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Productive all winter; very low-maintenance. |
| Tatsoi | — | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | Rosette green for winter salads and stir-fries. |
| Tomatillo | — | — | Jan 25 - Mar 24 | — | Plant at least two for cross-pollination; heat-tolerant. |
| Tomato | — | — | Sep 8 - Nov 7 | — | Set out early; heat above ~90F stops fruit set, so aim for harvest by late spring. Choose heat-tolerant/short-season varieties. |
| Winter Squash | — | Sep 8 - Oct 7 | — | — | Sow early in fall to mature through the mild winter. |
| Yardlong Bean | — | Apr 24 - Aug 24 | — | — | Keeps setting pods in heat that stops common beans. |
| Zucchini | — | Sep 8 - Nov 7 | — | — | Reliable fall crop in cooler, drier weather. |
Herbs
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | — | Apr 24 - Aug 24 | — | — | Peak-season herb; keep pinching flowers for continuous leaves. |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Cool-season only; bolts fast in heat, so this is its season. |
| Cress (Garden/Curly) | — | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | Fast peppery green; ideal in winter cool. |
| Dill | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Direct sow; dislikes transplanting and summer heat. |
| Lemongrass | — | — | Apr 24 - Jul 24 | — | Loves summer heat; clumps expand fast and can be divided. |
| Mint | — | — | Apr 24 - Jul 24 | — | Keep in containers and partial shade; needs steady water in summer. |
| Parsley | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | Slow to germinate; productive through the cool season. |
| Stevia | — | — | Apr 24 - Jul 24 | — | Tender perennial sweetener that thrives in zone 10 warmth. |
| Watercress | — | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | Grow in constantly wet soil or near water; cool-season green. |
Fruits
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | — | — | Jan 25 - Mar 24 | — | Self-sows readily; thrives in warm soil. |
| Muskmelon / Cantaloupe | — | Jan 25 - Apr 23 | — | — | Loves the heat; needs full sun and consistent water for sweet fruit. |
| Watermelon | — | Jan 25 - Apr 23 | — | — | Prime zone 10 crop; sandy warm soil and steady moisture. |
Flowers
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borage | — | Dec 8 - Feb 7 | — | — | Self-sowing edible flower; supports pollinators in the cool season. |
| Calendula | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | — | Cool-season edible flower; long bloom through winter. |
| Cosmos | — | Apr 24 - Aug 24 | — | — | Tolerates heat and lean soil; airy summer color. |
| Marigold | — | Apr 24 - Jul 24 | — | — | Holds up in heat; useful pest companion through summer. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jan 25 - Mar 24 | — | — | Edible flowers; fades in peak heat, so plant on the early side. |
| Snapdragon | — | — | Oct 8 - Dec 7 | — | Cool-season cut flower; blooms through zone 10 winter. |
| Sunflower | — | Apr 24 - Jul 24 | — | — | Heat-proof; provides shade and pollinator/seed value. |
| Zinnia | — | Apr 24 - Aug 24 | — | — | Among the most heat-tolerant cut flowers; deadhead for continuous bloom. |
Zone 10a vs Zone 10b
USDA divides zone 10 into two half-zones 5°F apart. Zone 10b is the warmer one; here is how its frost dates compare with zone 10a and the zone 10 average.
| Zone 10a | Zone 10 | Zone 10b | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter low | 30 to 35°F | 30 to 40°F | 35 to 40°F |
| Last spring frost | Jan 22 | Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| First fall frost | Dec 24 | Dec 31 | Jan 7 |
| Growing season | 336 days | 350 days | 364 days |
Not sure which half you're in? The half-zone comes from your area's average coldest winter night, so check the USDA map for your ZIP code. Your own microclimate — slope, shelter, pavement, elevation — can move dates as much as the half-zone does.
Zone 10b Growing Tips
- ✓ Flip your mental calendar: winter is your main vegetable season and mid-summer is your 'off' season. Plant brassicas, lettuces, root crops, and peas from October through February, and reserve a heat-tolerant tropical lineup (okra, sweet potato, cowpea, yardlong bean, Malabar spinach, chayote) for May-September.
- ✓ Use short-day onion varieties only. Long-day and even intermediate-day onions will never bulb properly at zone 10's low latitudes; the same goes for choosing heat-tolerant, short-season tomato varieties for spring.
- ✓ Beat the heat with shade cloth (30-40%), heavy mulch, and afternoon shade for crops you push into summer (peppers, eggplant, tomatoes). In the desert SW especially, drip irrigation and morning watering are essential.
- ✓ Garlic and other crops that normally need winter chilling underperform in zone 10. Pre-chill garlic cloves in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks before planting, and pick softneck types over hardneck.
- ✓ Skip true spinach (zone 2-9), brussels sprouts, rhubarb, and most temperate berries (currants, gooseberries, raspberries) — they need chill/cold this zone can't provide. Substitute Malabar spinach and New Zealand spinach for greens, and grow figs, grapes, blueberries (low-chill varieties), and blackberries for fruit.
- ✓ Manage humidity-driven disease (FL/Gulf) and intense pest cycles by spacing for airflow, trellising vining crops, succession-sowing fast greens, and using the deep-summer lull to solarize beds and grow nitrogen-fixing cover crops like cowpea.
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Sign Up FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What can I plant in spring in zone 10b?
In zone 10b, spring planting includes Tomato, Pepper (Bell & Hot), Eggplant, Tomatillo, Ground Cherry, Cucumber, Zucchini, Summer Squash, and more. See the spring section above for each crop's timing.
What is the last frost date for zone 10b?
The average last spring frost date for USDA zone 10b is Jan 8. The first fall frost typically arrives around Jan 7, giving a growing season of approximately 364 days.
When is the first frost in zone 10b?
The average first fall frost in USDA zone 10b arrives around Jan 7. That is an average, not a guarantee — the actual first frost varies by up to 2 weeks either way, so watch your local forecast from a few weeks before that date and have row covers ready for tender crops still in the ground.
What can I plant in fall in zone 10b?
Fall planting in zone 10b includes Tomato, Pepper (Bell & Hot), Eggplant, Cucumber, Summer Squash, Zucchini, Winter Squash, Bush Bean, and more.
How long is the growing season in zone 10b?
Zone 10b has an average growing season of 364 days, from the last spring frost around Jan 8 to the first fall frost around Jan 7.
What is the difference between zone 10a and zone 10b?
Zone 10b is the warmer half of USDA zone 10, with average coldest winter nights of 35 to 40°F. Compared with the zone 10 averages (last frost Jan 15, first frost Dec 31), zone 10b's last spring frost is about a week earlier (Jan 8) and its first fall frost about a week later (Jan 7), so zone 10a gardeners plant about two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall than zone 10b.
What to plant right now
Month-specific guides for zone 10, hand-tuned to current frost dates and crop windows.
- What to Plant in October: Garlic Month, Cover Crops, and the Southern Fall Garden — What to plant in October: garlic goes in across zones 3-7, cover crops hit their deadline, and zones 8-10 plant the best garden of their year.
Learn more: When to plant vegetables by zone