When to plant sweet potatoes in California

Sweet potatoes
Plant out in San Jose
Feb 15–Mar 1

Across California the window opens between February 15 and January 21. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Plant out, San Jose
Feb 15–Mar 1
Last sowing for a harvest
Aug 13
Last frost, San Jose
Jan 2

Plant out 3–5 weeks after the last frost. Set out slips when the soil is warm, around 65°F. They need a long, hot season.

Sweet potatoes planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
San JoseFeb 15–Mar 1
FresnoFeb 15–Mar 1
SacramentoFeb 15–Mar 1
BakersfieldFeb 21–Mar 7
StocktonFeb 26–Mar 12
RiversideFeb 15–Mar 1
IrvineFeb 15–Mar 1
FremontFeb 15–Mar 1
San BernardinoFeb 17–Mar 3
FontanaFeb 15–Mar 1
ModestoFeb 21–Mar 7
Moreno ValleyFeb 17–Mar 3
GlendaleFeb 15–Mar 1
OntarioFeb 15–Mar 1
Elk GroveFeb 23–Mar 9
Santa RosaMar 18–Apr 1
Rancho CucamongaFeb 15–Mar 1
OceansideFeb 15–Mar 1
LancasterApr 24–May 8
RosevilleMar 15–Mar 29
PalmdaleMar 31–Apr 14
CoronaFeb 15–Mar 1
SalinasFeb 19–Mar 5
HaywardFeb 15–Mar 1
SunnyvaleFeb 15–Mar 1
PomonaFeb 15–Mar 1
VisaliaFeb 15–Mar 1
EscondidoFeb 15–Mar 1
VictorvilleApr 8–Apr 22
PasadenaFeb 15–Mar 1
All 274 cities
CityPlant outLast frost
San JoseFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
FresnoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 14
SacramentoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
BakersfieldFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
StocktonFeb 26 to Mar 12Feb 5
RiversideFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 9
IrvineFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 5
FremontFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 1
San BernardinoFeb 17 to Mar 3Jan 27
FontanaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
ModestoFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
Moreno ValleyFeb 17 to Mar 3Jan 27
GlendaleFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
OntarioFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
Elk GroveFeb 23 to Mar 9Feb 2
Santa RosaMar 18 to Apr 1Feb 25
Rancho CucamongaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
OceansideFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 23
LancasterApr 24 to May 8Apr 3
RosevilleMar 15 to Mar 29Feb 22
PalmdaleMar 31 to Apr 14Mar 10
CoronaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
SalinasFeb 19 to Mar 5Jan 29
HaywardFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
SunnyvaleFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
PomonaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
VisaliaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 23
EscondidoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
VictorvilleApr 8 to Apr 22Mar 18
PasadenaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
Santa ClaraFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
ClovisFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 14
Simi ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
VallejoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
ConcordFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 9
FairfieldFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
Thousand OaksJan 21 to Feb 4Dec 31
BerkeleyFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 3
AntiochFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
MenifeeFeb 18 to Mar 4Jan 28
TemeculaFeb 23 to Mar 9Feb 2
RichmondFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
MurrietaFeb 23 to Mar 9Feb 2
Santa MariaFeb 25 to Mar 11Feb 4
Jurupa ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 9
RialtoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 10
West CovinaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
ChicoMar 25 to Apr 8Mar 4
El MonteFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
VacavilleMar 11 to Mar 25Feb 18
San MateoJan 19 to Feb 2Dec 29
BurbankFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
HesperiaMar 21 to Apr 4Feb 28
TracyMar 18 to Apr 1Feb 25
El CajonFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
Daly CityJan 20 to Feb 3Dec 30
MercedMar 24 to Apr 7Mar 3
VistaFeb 20 to Mar 6Jan 30
ChinoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
MantecaFeb 27 to Mar 13Feb 6
Arden-ArcadeFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
San MarcosFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
IndioJan 21 to Feb 4Dec 31
ReddingMar 24 to Apr 7Mar 3
HemetFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
FolsomFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
CarsonFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 9
Mission ViejoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
Rancho CordovaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
Santa BarbaraFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 13
Citrus HeightsFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
San RamonMar 29 to Apr 12Mar 8
Mountain ViewFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
San LeandroFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 7
LivermoreMar 8 to Mar 22Feb 15
PerrisFeb 18 to Mar 4Jan 28
Redwood CityFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
AlhambraFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
UplandFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
MilpitasFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
CarmichaelFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
PittsburgFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
Chino HillsFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
AlamedaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 7
RocklinMar 18 to Apr 1Feb 25
NapaMar 5 to Mar 19Feb 12
Apple ValleyApr 8 to Apr 22Mar 18
Lake ElsinoreFeb 18 to Mar 4Jan 28
PleasantonMar 8 to Mar 22Feb 15
RedlandsFeb 17 to Mar 3Jan 27
TulareFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 23
TurlockFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
DublinMar 8 to Mar 22Feb 15
EastvaleFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Walnut CreekFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 7
Yuba CityFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
LodiMar 2 to Mar 16Feb 9
MaderaMar 5 to Mar 19Feb 12
Baldwin ParkFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
CamarilloJan 21 to Feb 4Dec 31
Palo AltoFeb 22 to Mar 8Feb 1
BrentwoodFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
DavisMar 3 to Mar 17Feb 10
Castro ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
Union CityFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 7
South San FranciscoJan 19 to Feb 2Dec 29
Laguna NiguelFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
PortervilleFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
WoodlandFeb 28 to Mar 14Feb 7
HanfordFeb 28 to Mar 14Feb 7
San ClementeFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
Santa CruzFeb 19 to Mar 5Jan 29
BeaumontFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
GilroyMar 17 to Mar 31Feb 24
MontebelloFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
La MesaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
PetalumaMar 21 to Apr 4Feb 28
San RafaelFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 11
Pico RiveraFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
CupertinoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
SanteeFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
HighlandFeb 17 to Mar 3Jan 27
Monterey ParkFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
LincolnMar 18 to Apr 1Feb 25
West SacramentoFeb 23 to Mar 9Feb 2
San JacintoFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
YucaipaFeb 17 to Mar 3Jan 27
ArcadiaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
ColtonFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 10
Palm DesertJan 21 to Feb 4Dec 31
Cathedral CityFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 9
DelanoFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
NovatoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 11
Diamond BarFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
WatsonvilleFeb 18 to Mar 4Jan 28
San Luis ObispoFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
El Dorado HillsApr 21 to May 5Mar 31
Aliso ViejoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
GlendoraFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
Los BanosFeb 16 to Mar 2Jan 26
FlorinFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
RosemeadFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
CovinaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
PowayFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 5
AntelopeFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
CeresFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
North HighlandsFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
NewarkFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 1
OakleyFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
AzusaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
HollisterMar 12 to Mar 26Feb 19
Morgan HillMar 17 to Mar 31Feb 24
CoachellaJan 21 to Feb 4Dec 31
Palm SpringsFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 1
Rohnert ParkMar 18 to Apr 1Feb 25
El CentroFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 3
LompocFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
DanvilleMar 29 to Apr 12Mar 8
LathropFeb 27 to Mar 13Feb 6
VineyardFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
French ValleyFeb 23 to Mar 9Feb 2
CampbellFeb 23 to Mar 9Feb 2
San BrunoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 11
AltadenaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
Rancho Palos VerdesFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 9
La QuintaJan 21 to Feb 4Dec 31
AdelantoApr 8 to Apr 22Mar 18
CalexicoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 3
MonroviaMay 19 to Jun 2Apr 28
San GabrielFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
WildomarFeb 18 to Mar 4Jan 28
MontclairFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
Foothill FarmsFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
PacificaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 11
MartinezMar 21 to Apr 4Feb 28
La PuenteFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
ClaremontFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
OrangevaleFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
Temple CityFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
San Juan CapistranoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
MoorparkJan 21 to Feb 4Dec 31
OildaleFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
Pleasant HillFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 7
Desert Hot SpringsMar 18 to Apr 1Feb 25
San DimasFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
Menlo ParkFeb 22 to Mar 8Feb 1
Los GatosFeb 23 to Mar 9Feb 2
FallbrookFeb 23 to Mar 9Feb 2
Foster CityFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
GoletaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 11
Dana PointFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
Spring ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
AtwaterMar 24 to Apr 7Mar 3
Fair OaksFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
BurlingameJan 19 to Feb 2Dec 29
BanningFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
Santa PaulaJan 21 to Feb 4Dec 31
San PabloFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
SeasideFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
El Paso de RoblesApr 5 to Apr 19Mar 15
OrcuttFeb 25 to Mar 11Feb 4
Los AltosFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
SaratogaFeb 23 to Mar 9Feb 2
La VerneFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
Laguna HillsFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
AtascaderoApr 5 to Apr 19Mar 15
Suisun CityFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
San LorenzoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
Eastern Goleta ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 11
San CarlosFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
MontereyFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 1
East Palo AltoFeb 22 to Mar 8Feb 1
BelmontFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
East NilesFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
Temescal ValleyFeb 18 to Mar 4Jan 28
RidgecrestApr 1 to Apr 15Mar 11
BrawleyFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
WalnutFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
LemooreMar 17 to Mar 31Feb 24
SangerFeb 20 to Mar 6Jan 30
ReedleyFeb 20 to Mar 6Jan 30
GaltMar 2 to Mar 16Feb 9
PattersonFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
RiverbankFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
WascoFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
BeniciaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
SoledadMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
HerculesFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
El CerritoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 3
DinubaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 23
Twentynine PalmsFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
WindsorMar 23 to Apr 6Mar 2
South PasadenaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
West Whittier-Los NietosFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
Mountain HouseFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 19
LafayetteFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 7
EurekaMar 15 to Mar 29Feb 22
Loma LindaFeb 17 to Mar 3Jan 27
NorcoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
BarstowMar 15 to Mar 29Feb 22
SelmaFeb 20 to Mar 6Jan 30
BloomingtonFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 10
Bay PointFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 9
ShafterMar 13 to Mar 27Feb 20
Ladera RanchFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
East San GabrielFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
San FernandoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
RosemontFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 12
MarinaFeb 25 to Mar 11Feb 4
OakdaleFeb 21 to Mar 7Jan 31
LindaMar 4 to Mar 18Feb 11
MillbraeJan 19 to Feb 2Dec 29
DuarteMay 19 to Jun 2Apr 28
RamonaApr 9 to Apr 23Mar 19
AshlandFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 2
American CanyonMar 26 to Apr 9Mar 5
Laguna BeachFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
CorcoranMar 8 to Mar 22Feb 15
ImperialFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 14
Rancho San DiegoFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
West Puente ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 4
CalabasasFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
Winter GardensFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
West CarsonFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 9
Yucca ValleyApr 4 to Apr 18Mar 14
LakesideFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 6
ValindaFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
Granite BayMar 18 to Apr 1Feb 25
Stevenson RanchFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 8
GreenfieldMar 16 to Mar 30Feb 23
DixonMar 3 to Mar 17Feb 10
RosamondApr 24 to May 8Apr 3
OrovilleFeb 20 to Mar 6Jan 30
East HemetFeb 15 to Mar 1Jan 10

Questions

When should I plant sweet potatoes in California?

In San Jose, plant out from February 15 to March 1. Across California the window opens between February 15 and January 21, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Plant out 3–5 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for California

Sweet potatoes in other states

Frost dates for every city in California