Garden Guide
Garden Guide for San Francisco, San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b and boasts a unique Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and cool, dry summers, often characterized by fog. Soil types vary widely, from sandy coastal areas to more clay-rich inland soils that require good drainage. The practically frost-free environment allows for year-round cultivation of many crops.
In San Francisco (USDA Hardiness Zone 10b), you can plant almost year-round thanks to the practically frost-free climate. You can start lettuce seeds indoors from February to August and harvest from March to November. Tomatoes can be started indoors from March to April and harvested from June to October. Zucchini (start indoors March to May, harvest June to October) and garlic (plant September to November, harvest June to August) also thrive here.
There is practically no frost in San Francisco. You can garden year-round, the calendar shows the most reliable growing windows.
Also applies to: Oakland, Berkeley, Sausalito, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Santa Clara
Plan your San Francisco garden in the Fryd appPlanting Calendar
When to start indoors, sow outdoors, and harvest in San Francisco. Frost-free climate: the windows are a guide, many crops can be sown beyond them too.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Aubergine / Eggplant ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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| Chili ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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| Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Chard ●●○ ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Spinach (Summer) ●○○ ●●● ●●○ | |
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| Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Onion (Spring onion) ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Bean (Runner bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Sweet potato ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Melon (Watermelon) ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Melon (Sugar melon) ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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Planting Calendar San Francisco
- Tomato (Bush tomato): Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato): Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Pepper / Paprika: Start indoors Feb - Mar, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Aubergine / Eggplant: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Sep (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
- Chili: Start indoors Jan - Mar, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Cucumber / Gherkin: Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Courgette / Zucchini: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
- Lettuce (Lettuce): Start indoors Feb - Aug, Sowing Mar - Sep, Harvest Mar - Nov (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Chard: Start indoors Jan - Apr, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest May - Nov (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Spinach (Summer): Sowing Mar - May, Harvest Apr - Jul (Light: low, Water: high, Nutrients: medium)
- Strawberry: Start indoors Feb - Apr, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Basil: Start indoors Mar - Jul, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Garlic: Sowing Sep - Nov, Harvest Jun - Aug (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Onion: Start indoors Jan - Feb, Sowing Mar - Apr, Harvest Jul - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Onion (Spring onion): Start indoors Jul - Oct, Sowing Sep - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Bean (Dwarf bean): Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Bean (Runner bean): Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Sweet potato: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Sep - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Melon (Watermelon): Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jul - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Melon (Sugar melon): Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Aug - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Based on Fryd planting data for Zone 10b, 2026.
Companion Planting for San Francisco
Plants that thrive together in San Francisco Bay Area.
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Onion + Tomato (Bush tomato)
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Onion + Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato)
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Garlic + Pepper / Paprika
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Cucumber / Gherkin + Pepper / Paprika
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Spinach (Summer) + Aubergine / Eggplant
Plan companions visually
Drag and drop crops in the Fryd bed planner to see companion matches.
Try Fryd →Growing Tips for San Francisco
Versatile Seed Starting
Many plants like lettuce (February to August) and Swiss chard (January to April) benefit from an early start indoors to make the most of the long growing season. Use fine seed-starting mix and gently press the seeds into the soil to encourage germination.
Choosing Sunny, Sheltered Spots
Even though San Francisco is mild, heat-loving plants like onions, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers absolutely love a full-sun, wind-protected spot. A bit of clay in the soil can be beneficial, as long as it's loose and rich in humus.
Pay Attention to Watering Needs
Some crops like spinach (in summer), cucumbers, zucchini, and eggplants have very high water requirements and need consistent moisture, especially during drier periods. Be sure to avoid waterlogging, but always keep the soil moist.
Protecting Cold-Sensitive Plants
Plants like zucchini, eggplant, basil, tomato, cucumber, and melon are sensitive to cold and should only be direct-sown or transplanted outdoors from May or June onwards, once soil temperatures are stable. Starting them indoors is often a good idea here.
Common Pests & Diseases
Snails and Slugs
Keep your garden free of snails and slugs by regularly checking for and hand-picking them, especially after rain or in the evening. A barrier of sawdust or eggshells can help keep them away.
Aphids
If you have an aphid infestation, you can spray the plants with a strong stream of water or use a soapy water solution. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs, which are natural predators.
Powdery Mildew
To prevent powdery mildew, ensure good air circulation between plants and avoid overhead watering. If an infestation occurs, spraying with a milk-and-water mixture can help.
Root Diseases
Ensure loose, well-draining soil to avoid waterlogging and associated root diseases. Good crop rotation also helps keep the soil healthy and prevents pathogens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant tomatoes in San Francisco?
You can start tomatoes indoors from March to April and plant them outdoors from May to June, once soil temperatures are stable. You'll then harvest from June to October.
What hardiness zone is San Francisco in, and what does that mean for my garden?
San Francisco is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b, which means you have a practically frost-free climate. This allows for a very long growing season and often even year-round harvests for many crops.
Which plants thrive particularly well in San Francisco?
Many cold-tolerant plants like lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard can be grown almost year-round. Heat-loving crops like tomatoes, zucchini, and strawberries also thrive wonderfully if they get enough sun.
Is there any frost I need to worry about in San Francisco?
Nope, San Francisco is practically frost-free, which makes gardening much easier! You don't have to worry about late frosts damaging your sensitive plants.
