UC Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County, CA
University of California
UC Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County, CA

Vegetable Planting Chart

Garden Help > Vegetables

Recommended times to plant vegetables in Santa Clara County

Use this chart as a guideline for when to plant your vegetables in Santa Clara County. The dates given to transplant seedlings or plant seed directly into the ground are for best results on average in central Santa Clara County. The best times for your garden may vary depending on factors such as your location in the county, any microclimate conditions, and the weather in any given year. The pale green squares on the ends of some ranges indicate this variability.

Veg chart seedling icon dark grey border
Good time for transplanting
Veg chart seeds icon dark grey border copy
Good time for seeding
Veg chart pale green dark gray border
Borderline months that might work

Growing transplants from seed

To grow your own transplants from seed, use the times under the column headed “From seed to transplant” to calculate when to sow seeds in pots for the transplants to be ready. For example, to have broccoli seedlings ready to transplant in mid-September, you should start your seeds about 6 weeks earlier, around August 1.

Harvest times

Harvest times are not included in this chart because they may vary widely depending on variety and season. Seed packets and plant tags often give an estimated “days to maturity” from planting to harvest that you can use as a guideline. Note that crops mature more slowly in the cool fall/winter season than in the warm spring/summer season.

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  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec From seed to transplant
Artichoke Transplant                         12 weeks
Arugula Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Asparagus Plant crowns                          
Basil Transplant                         6 weeks
Beans Transplant                         3 weeks
Direct seed                          
Beets Transplant                         6 weeks
Direct seed                          
Bitter melon Transplant                         4 weeks
Bok choy Transplant                         3 weeks
Direct seed                          
Broccoli Transplant                         6 weeks
Brussels sprouts Transplant                         6 weeks
Cabbage Transplant                         6 weeks
Cabbage, napa Transplant                         3 weeks
Direct seed                          
Carrots Direct seed                          
Cauliflower Transplant                         6 weeks
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec From seed to transplant
Celery Transplant                         8–10 weeks
Chard Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Chayote Plant fruit                          
Cilantro Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Collards Transplant                         6 weeks
Direct seed                          
Corn Direct seed                          
Cucumber Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Daikon Direct seed                          
Dill Direct seed                          
Eggplant Transplant                         8 weeks
Fava beans Direct seed                          
Fennel Direct seed                          
Transplant                         6 weeks
Gailon Transplant                         6 weeks
Garlic Plant cloves                          
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec From seed to transplant
Kale Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Kohlrabi Transplant                         6 weeks
Direct seed                          
Leeks Transplant                         8 weeks
Lettuce Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Luffa Transplant                         3 weeks
Direct seed                          
Melons Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Mustard greens Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Okra Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Onions Transplant                         8 weeks
Parsley Transplant                         9 weeks
Parsnips Direct seed                          
Peas Transplant                         3 weeks
Direct seed                          
Peppers Transplant                         8 weeks
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec From seed to transplant
Potatoes Plant pieces                          
Pumpkins Transplant                         3 weeks
Direct seed                          
Radishes Direct seed                          
Rutabagas Transplant                         4–5 weeks
Direct seed                          
Spinach Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Squash, summer Transplant                         3 weeks
Direct seed                          
Squash, winter Transplant                         3 weeks
Direct seed                          
Sweet potatoes Plant slips                          
Tomatoes Transplant                         6 weeks
Turnips Transplant                         4 weeks
Direct seed                          
Zucchini Transplant                         3 weeks
Direct seed                          
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