Seasonal planting calendar with various plants and gardening tools

When to Plant in San Francisco 2025

Complete month-by-month planting calendar for SF's unique microclimates

🎯 Quick Answer

When should I plant in San Francisco right now?

🌱 Best Times:

  • ✓ Fall (Oct-Dec) - California natives, trees, shrubs
  • ✓ Spring (Mar-May) - Annuals, warm-season veggies
  • ✓ Year-Round - Cool-season greens, herbs

📅 Key Timing:

  • ✓ Last frost: Rare (January)
  • ✓ First frost: Rare (December)
  • ✓ Growing season: 10-12 months
  • ✓ USDA Zone: 10a-10b (mild)

San Francisco's Mediterranean climate and diverse microclimates create unique planting opportunities. Unlike most of the country, we can garden nearly year-round with proper plant selection and timing. However, timing varies significantly between sunny Mission and foggy Sunset neighborhoods.

This comprehensive guide provides month-by-month planting schedules for vegetables, flowers, California natives, trees, and lawns—adjusted for SF's microclimates.

Understanding San Francisco's Growing Climate

Key Climate Facts:

🌡️ Temperature

  • Average high: 57-70°F (varies by neighborhood)
  • Average low: 45-57°F
  • Frost: Rare (only exposed hilltops)
  • Heat waves: 85°F+ rare, brief

💧 Rainfall

  • Annual total: 20-25 inches
  • Rainy season: November-March (80% of rainfall)
  • Dry season: April-October (little rain)
  • Fog: June-August (daily in western SF)

🌁 Microclimate Adjustments

Planting times can vary 2-4 weeks between SF microclimates:

  • Sunny areas (Mission, Castro, Potrero): Plant warm-season crops 2-3 weeks earlier
  • Foggy areas (Sunset, Richmond, Parkside): Focus on cool-season, fog-tolerant plants
  • Windy hilltops (Twin Peaks, Bernal): Delay planting delicate transplants 1-2 weeks

Month-by-Month Planting Calendar

JAN

January

Coldest month • Wettest period

🥬 Vegetables

  • Lettuce (transplants)
  • Peas (seeds)
  • Fava beans (seeds)
  • Onion sets
  • Garlic (cloves)

🌸 Flowers

  • Bare-root roses
  • Sweet peas (seeds)
  • Pansies (transplants)
  • Primrose (transplants)

🌳 Trees & Shrubs

  • Bare-root fruit trees
  • Bare-root berries
  • Dormant shrubs

Tip: Excellent time for bare-root planting while trees/shrubs are dormant. Take advantage of winter rains for establishment.

FEB

February

Still rainy • Spring preparation

🥬 Vegetables

  • Lettuce, arugula
  • Spinach, chard
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Cauliflower (transplants)
  • Potatoes (seed)

🌸 Flowers

  • California poppies
  • Wildflower mixes
  • Calendula
  • Snapdragons

🌳 Trees & Shrubs

  • Continue bare-root planting
  • Artichokes (crowns)
  • Asparagus (crowns)

Tip: Last month for many bare-root plants. Start warm-season seeds indoors for spring transplanting.

MAR

March

Spring begins • Planting season starts

🥬 Vegetables

  • Tomatoes (sunny areas only)
  • Peppers (sunny areas)
  • Beets, carrots
  • Beans (bush & pole)
  • Squash (sunny areas)

🌸 Flowers

  • Sunflowers
  • Zinnias
  • Marigolds
  • Cosmos
  • Nasturtiums

🌳 Natives

  • Container natives OK
  • Wait for fall for best results
  • Water regularly if planted now

Tip: Perfect time to start warm-season vegetables in sunny microclimates. Wait until April-May in foggy areas.

APR

April

Peak spring planting • Dry season begins

🥬 Vegetables

  • Tomatoes (all areas)
  • Peppers, eggplant
  • Cucumbers
  • Melons (sunny areas)
  • Corn

🌸 Flowers

  • Dahlias (tubers)
  • Gladiolus (bulbs)
  • All annuals
  • Perennials (containers)

🌳 Trees & Shrubs

  • Container trees/shrubs OK
  • Requires summer watering
  • Citrus (warm areas)

Tip: Best month for warm-season vegetables. Ensure irrigation is ready— dry season means regular watering is essential.

MAY

May

Last spring planting window • Warmest pre-fog month

🥬 Vegetables

  • Basil (transplants)
  • Summer squash
  • Beans (succession)
  • Tomatoes (foggy areas)
  • Heat-lovers (sunny only)

🌸 Flowers

  • Last chance for annuals
  • Tropical plants
  • Succulents
  • Ornamental grasses

🌳 Trees & Shrubs

  • Not ideal (heat stress)
  • Container plants only
  • Requires heavy watering

Tip: Last good month for warm-season planting before summer fog arrives. In foggy areas, this is prime tomato-planting time.

JUN

June

Summer fog begins • Cool foggy areas

🥬 Vegetables

  • Succession beans
  • Lettuce (shade cloth)
  • Kale, chard
  • Herbs (sunny areas)

🌸 Flowers

  • Limited planting
  • Container flowers OK
  • Tropicals (warm areas)

🌳 Trees & Shrubs

  • Avoid planting
  • Focus on maintenance
  • Mulch existing plants

Tip: Summer fog makes June-August cool in western SF. Great for cool-season crops, tough for heat-lovers.

JUL

July

Peak fog season • Start fall planning

🥬 Vegetables

  • Fall broccoli (starts)
  • Cauliflower (starts)
  • Lettuce (shade cloth)
  • Kale, chard

🌸 Flowers

  • Limited new planting
  • Focus on maintenance
  • Deadhead existing flowers

🌳 Natives

  • Plan fall native planting
  • SFPUC rebate applications

Tip: Start planning fall native plantings now. Begin SFPUC lawn conversion rebate applications for October planting.

AUG

August

Still foggy • Fall planting prep

🥬 Vegetables

  • Brassicas (broccoli, cabbage)
  • Lettuce, spinach
  • Peas (fall crop)
  • Garlic (late August)

🌸 Flowers

  • Fall wildflower seeds
  • California poppy
  • Mums (transplants)

🌳 Trees & Shrubs

  • Wait for October
  • Prepare planting sites

Tip: Transition to fall crops. Garlic planted late August gives biggest bulbs.

SEP

September

Fog clears • "Second spring" begins

🥬 Vegetables

  • All cool-season crops
  • Lettuce, arugula, spinach
  • Beets, carrots, radishes
  • Onion sets

🌸 Flowers

  • Wildflower seeds
  • Perennials (containers)
  • Spring bulbs (late Sept)

🌳 Natives

  • Begin native planting
  • Lawn conversion prep

Tip: SF's "second spring"—warm days, cool nights, perfect for planting. Start native installations for SFPUC rebates.

OCT

October

⭐ BEST month for natives • Ideal fall planting

🥬 Vegetables

  • Fava beans
  • Garlic, shallots
  • All leafy greens
  • Peas

🌸 Flowers

  • Spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils)
  • Wildflower mixes
  • Pansies, violas

🌳 Natives ⭐

  • Peak native planting!
  • All California natives
  • Trees & shrubs
  • Lawn conversions

⭐ Best Month: October is THE optimal month for California natives. Winter rains establish roots before spring growth. SFPUC rebate season!

NOV

November

Rainy season begins • Continue native planting

🥬 Vegetables

  • Garlic (if not done)
  • Fava beans
  • Onion sets
  • Lettuce (protected)

🌸 Flowers

  • Last spring bulbs
  • Wildflower seeds
  • Pansies

🌳 Natives

  • Continue native planting
  • Trees & shrubs excellent
  • Rain aids establishment

Tip: Natural rain means less watering for new plantings. Great for natives, trees, and shrubs.

DEC

December

Cold & wet • Limited planting

🥬 Vegetables

  • Very limited planting
  • Harvest winter crops
  • Plan spring garden

🌸 Flowers

  • Living Christmas trees
  • Paperwhites (indoor)
  • Amaryllis (indoor)

🌳 Trees & Shrubs

  • Continue if weather permits
  • Natives still OK
  • Avoid heavy rain periods

Tip: Focus on planning next year's garden. Order seed catalogs. Maintain existing plantings.

Quick Reference Planting Chart

Plant TypeBest MonthsOK MonthsAvoid
California NativesOct-NovDec-Mar, SepMay-Aug
Warm-Season VegetablesMar-MayJun (sunny areas)Jul-Feb
Cool-Season VegetablesAug-OctJan-Mar, Jun-JulNone (year-round)
Annual FlowersMar-MaySep-OctJun-Aug, Dec-Feb
Trees & ShrubsOct-MarApr, SepMay-Aug
Bare-Root PlantsJan-FebDec, early MarApr-Nov
Spring BulbsOct-NovSep, DecJan-Aug

Microclimate-Specific Planting Adjustments

☀️ Sunny Areas

Mission, Castro, Noe Valley, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch

Advantages:

  • Longer growing season (10-12 months)
  • Can grow heat-lovers (tomatoes, peppers, melons)
  • Plant warm-season crops 2-3 weeks earlier
  • Better success with Mediterranean plants

Challenges:

  • Higher water needs (50% more than foggy areas)
  • Heat stress possible in September heat waves
  • Some cool-season crops bolt faster

Timing Adjustments:

  • Tomatoes: Plant mid-March (vs April foggy areas)
  • Lettuce: Use shade cloth June-August
  • Natives: Extra watering first summer

🌁 Foggy Areas

Sunset, Richmond, Outer Parkside, West Portal, Ocean Beach

Advantages:

  • Natural moisture from fog (less watering)
  • Extended cool-season crops (lettuce, kale year-round)
  • Ideal for shade-loving plants
  • Lower water bills

Challenges:

  • Heat-loving crops struggle (tomatoes, peppers)
  • Shorter warm season (June-August very cool)
  • Slower growth overall
  • Powdery mildew risk on some plants

Timing Adjustments:

  • Tomatoes: Plant late April-May, choose early varieties
  • Cool crops: Thrive June-August (plant freely)
  • Natives: Less watering needed, fog helps

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I plant vegetables year-round in San Francisco?

Yes, for cool-season vegetables. Lettuce, kale, chard, arugula, spinach, peas, and many herbs can be planted 10-12 months of the year in SF. Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) are limited to March-June planting. Focus on succession planting—plant small amounts every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest.

Why is October the best month for California natives?

October combines warm soil with approaching winter rains. Natives planted in October develop strong root systems during November-March rains, then explode with growth in spring. Summer planting requires constant watering and heat-stressed plants. October timing maximizes natural rainfall and mimics native wildfire ecology (fall germination).

Can I grow tomatoes in foggy San Francisco neighborhoods?

Possible, but challenging. In foggy areas (Sunset, Richmond), chooseearly-maturing varieties like Early Girl, Stupice, or Oregon Spring. Plant in late April-May in the sunniest spot (south-facing, protected). Use containers against heat-retaining walls. Expect smaller yields than sunny Mission District gardens. Consider cherry tomatoes for better success.

When should I plant spring bulbs in San Francisco?

October-November is ideal. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus need 6-8 weeks of cool temperatures (below 55°F) for root development before spring blooming. Plant October-November for March-April flowers. Store bulbs in refrigerator for 6-8 weeks before planting if purchased early. Paperwhites and amaryllis don't need chilling.

What's the difference between planting bare-root vs container plants?

Bare-root: Dormant plants sold without soil (January-February only). Cheaper, better root development, must plant immediately. Best for fruit trees, roses, berries.Container: Active plants in pots (available year-round). More expensive, can plant anytime (though fall/spring still ideal), easier for beginners. Container natives OK in spring, but fall planting reduces watering needs by 70%.

Do I need to adjust planting times for rooftop or balcony gardens?

Yes—containers heat up and dry out faster. Rooftop/balcony containers can be 10-15°F warmer than ground soil. This allows earlier spring planting(2-3 weeks) but requires daily watering in summer. Use self-watering containers or drip irrigation. Wind exposure may delay planting of delicate seedlings by 1-2 weeks. Choose compact, wind-tolerant varieties.

Ready to Start Planting?

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✓Custom planting plans based on your microclimate

✓California native installations (SFPUC rebate eligible)

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✓Expert plant selection for your specific location

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