Zone 10a planting calendar

What to plant in February — zone 10a

Zone 10a averages its last spring frost around January 30 and its first fall frost around December 25. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.

Last frost: January 30
First frost: December 25
Winter lows: 30 to 35 °F

Direct sow

  • Bush beanaround Feb 6

    Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.

  • Cucumberaround Feb 6

    Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.

  • Zucchiniaround Feb 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Basilaround Feb 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Sweet cornaround Feb 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Winter squasharound Feb 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Basilaround Feb 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Watermelonaround Feb 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Cantaloupe / Melonaround Feb 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Bush beanaround Feb 13

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.

  • Cucumberaround Feb 13

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.

  • Zucchiniaround Feb 13

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.

  • Sweet cornaround Feb 13

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.

  • Basilaround Feb 13

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.

  • Winter squasharound Feb 20

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of winter squash.

  • Beetaround Feb 27

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of beet.

  • Carrotaround Feb 27

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of carrot.

Transplant out

  • Tomatoaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Bury 2/3 of the transplant stem — roots form along the buried stem for a stronger plant.

  • Pepperaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch first flowers on transplants so the plant invests in roots before setting fruit.

  • Cucumberaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.

  • Zucchiniaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. One plant feeds a family. Pick at 6-8 in for the sweetest fruit.

  • Basilaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.

  • Winter squasharound Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Cure 10 days in a warm dry spot after harvest — the skin toughens and storage doubles.

  • Basilaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.

  • Oreganoaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.

  • Thymearound Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Needs sharp drainage — plant in gravelly soil or a raised bed edge. Never wet feet.

  • Rosemaryaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. In zone 6 and below, grow in a pot and overwinter indoors near a south window.

  • Sagearound Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Prune hard in spring to prevent woody stems and keep the plant productive for 5+ years.

  • Figaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. In zone 6, grow in a pot and drag into a garage for winter. 'Chicago Hardy' takes zone 5 with mulch.

  • Watermelonaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe = tendril nearest the fruit is brown and the ground spot has turned buttery yellow.

  • Cantaloupe / Melonaround Feb 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe fruit slips off the vine with a gentle tug — the smell alone tells you.

Garden care

  • Mulch every bedaround Feb 20

    3-4 in of straw or leaves now holds water, blocks weeds, and cools roots for the whole summer.

  • Set up deep wateringaround Feb 27

    Switch to fewer, longer soaks (1-1.5 in/week at the root) instead of daily sprinkles.

Succession sow

  • Bush beanaround Feb 27

    Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.

  • Sweet cornaround Feb 27

    Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.

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