Brentwood, California planting calendar and frost dates
Brentwood is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost typically comes around January 12 and the first fall frost around December 19, giving about 343 frost-free days a year.
- Hardiness zone
- Zone 9b
- Typical last frost
- January 12
- Typical first frost
- December 19
- Frost-free season
- 343 days
Frost dates in Brentwood
Last spring frost
- December 20Risky: frost later than this in 9 years out of 10
- January 12Typical: a later frost in half of years
- February 1Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10
First fall frost
- November 29Risky: frost earlier than this 1 year in 10
- December 19Typical: an earlier frost in half of years
- New yearLate: in about 1 year in 10, the first frost waits until after December 31
The growing season between the typical last and first frosts is about 343 days. Frost here means a low of 32°F at the weather station. A hard freeze (28°F), which damages most hardy crops too, typically ends around January 2 and returns around December 29.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Antioch Pumping Plt #3, 3.3 miles ESE of the city center. Low-lying and rural spots often frost later in spring and earlier in fall than airports and city centers. Brentwood shares this station with Antioch, so the two cities have the same frost dates and planting calendar.
What to plant each month in Brentwood
January
Start indoors: ginger, peppers
Plant or sow outdoors: asparagus, avocados, beets, carrots, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, dahlias, dill, figs, garden mums, gladioli, grapes, green onions, lavenders, leeks, lettuce, lilies, marigolds, mints, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, peppers, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, roses, sage, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard, thyme
Plant for fall: crocuses, garlic, hyacinths, ornamental alliums, tulips
February
Start indoors: basil, celery, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes
Plant or sow outdoors: avocados, garden mums, green onions, st. augustinegrass, sunflowers, sweet corn
March
Start indoors: basil, cantaloupes, cosmos, cucumbers, okra, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermelons, winter squash, zucchini
Plant or sow outdoors: ginger, st. augustinegrass
April
Plant or sow outdoors: basil, cantaloupes, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermelons, winter squash, zucchini
May
Start indoors: zinnias
Plant or sow outdoors: bermudagrass, celery, centipedegrass, cosmos, okra, peanuts, sweet potatoes, zoysiagrass
June
Plant or sow outdoors: bermudagrass, centipedegrass, zinnias, zoysiagrass
August
September
Start indoors: onions
Plant for fall: bearded irises, brussels sprouts, carrots, collard greens, cucumbers, green beans, lettuce, peas, peppers, potatoes, snapdragons, sweet corn, swiss chard, tomatoes, zucchini
October
Start indoors: broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, leeks, onions, petunias, ranunculus
Plant for fall: azaleas, bearded irises, beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, clematis, collard greens, coneflowers, cucumbers, daylilies, green beans, hostas, hydrangeas, kale, lettuce, peas, radishes, roses, saffron, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard, turnips, zucchini
November
Start indoors: black-eyed susans, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, chives, collard greens, kale, leeks, lettuce, marigolds, onions, oregano, parsley, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, sage, snapdragons
Plant for fall: azaleas, bearded irises, cabbages, cauliflower, clematis, coneflowers, crocuses, daffodils, daylilies, grass seed, hostas, hyacinths, hydrangeas, kale, kentucky bluegrass, lilies, ornamental alliums, peonies, perennial ryegrass, radishes, roses, saffron, spinach, tall fescue, tulips
December
Start indoors: black-eyed susans, cabbages, chives, cilantro, collard greens, ginger, lettuce, marigolds, nasturtiums, ranunculus, sage, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard
Plant or sow outdoors: asparagus, beets, black-eyed susans, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, collard greens, dahlias, dill, figs, garlic, gladioli, grapes, grass seed, green onions, hollyhocks, kale, kentucky bluegrass, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsley, peas, peppers, poppies, potatoes, radishes, ranunculus, raspberries, rhubarb, roses, snapdragons, spinach, strawberries, sweet peas, swiss chard, tall fescue, turnips, wildflowers
Plant for fall: crocuses, daffodils, garlic, hyacinths, lilies, ornamental alliums, peonies, tulips
Planting dates for popular crops in Brentwood
| Plant | Start indoors | Plant or sow outdoors | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 15 to Mar 1 | Apr 12 to 26 | Sep 5 to 12 |
| Strawberries | — | Dec 1 to 15 | — |
| Lettuce | Nov 17 to Dec 1 | Jan 5 to 19 | Sep 19 to Oct 24 |
| Cilantro | Dec 1 to 15 | Jan 12 to 19 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 to Mar 8 | Apr 12 to 19 | — |
| Potatoes | — | Dec 22 to 29 | Aug 29 to Sep 5 |
| Garlic | — | Dec 1 to 15 | Dec 19 to Jan 2 |
| Onions | Sep 22 to Nov 3 | Dec 15 to 29 | — |
| Cucumbers | Mar 15 to 29 | Apr 12 to 26 | Sep 19 to Oct 3 |
| Pumpkins | Mar 15 to 29 | Apr 12 to 26 | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 to Feb 22 | Apr 12 to 26 | Aug 29 to Sep 26 |
| Carrots | — | Dec 22 to Jan 12 | Sep 26 to Oct 17 |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 to 15 | — |
| Watermelons | Mar 8 to 22 | Apr 12 to 26 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | Feb 2 to 16 | Sep 12 to 26 |
| Green Beans | — | Apr 12 to 26 | Sep 26 to Oct 3 |
| Zucchini | Mar 15 to 29 | Apr 12 to 26 | Sep 26 to Oct 10 |
| Broccoli | Oct 27 to Nov 17 | Dec 15 to 29 | Oct 3 to 31 |
| Peas | — | Dec 1 to 15 | Sep 26 to Oct 10 |
| Spinach | Dec 1 to 8 | Jan 5 to 19 | Oct 10 to Nov 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 2 to 23 | — |
| Zinnias | May 6 to 13 | Jun 3 to 17 | — |
| Tulips | — | — | Nov 7 to Jan 2 |
| Daffodils | — | — | Nov 7 to Dec 19 |
| Grass Seed | — | Dec 1 to 15 | Nov 7 to 21 |
Nearby cities
- Antioch, CA zone 9b, last frost Jan 12
- Pittsburg, CA zone 9b, last frost Jan 9
- Concord, CA zone 9b, last frost Jan 9
- San Ramon, CA zone 9b, last frost Feb 15
- Livermore, CA zone 9b, last frost Feb 15
- Walnut Creek, CA zone 9b, last frost Jan 9
Planting in CaliforniaAbout zone 9bPrintable calendar for Brentwood
Questions
When is the last frost in Brentwood?
Around January 12 in a typical year, based on NOAA's 1991-2020 records for Antioch Pumping Plt #3. There is still a 1 in 10 chance of frost after February 1.
What planting zone is Brentwood in?
USDA hardiness zone 9b (2023 map). The zone tells you which perennials survive the winter; planting dates depend on frost dates instead.
When should I plant tomatoes in Brentwood?
Start seeds indoors February 15 to March 1 and set plants out April 12 to 26.
When is the first frost in Brentwood?
Around December 19 in a typical year, and before November 29 about 1 year in 10.