Local planting guide · California
zip 90042
Los Angeles is in USDA hardiness zone 10a, with average winter lows of 30°F to 35°F. The local growing season runs roughly 12/31 through 12/28 (~365 days). This zip falls within the California growing region.
- USDA zone
- 10a 30°F to 35°F
- Last spring frost
- 12/31
- First fall frost
- 12/28
- Growing season
- 365 days
- Compatible crops
- 28
- Growing region
- California
Right now in Los Angeles
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Los Angeles
Los Angeles gardening enjoys a distinct advantage: an essentially frost-free climate with a full 365-day growing season. Winter lows in zone 10a typically reach 30-35°F, but coastal areas rarely experience hard freezes. The trade-off is summer heat. Unlike cooler zones where frost determines planting windows, Los Angeles gardeners navigate two overlapping growing seasons separated by intense midsummer heat. Warm-season crops like tomato, pepper, and eggplant thrive in spring and again in fall, but struggle during peak summer (June through August). Cool-season crops fill the gaps, flourishing in fall, winter, and early spring. Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and goji berries are particularly well-suited to the region, producing reliably without the spring frost risk that constrains orchardists in colder zones. The Mediterranean climate delivers consistent sun exposure and minimal fungal pressure compared to humid regions, though summer drought stress remains a concern.
Regional context · California
What the California brings to Los Angeles
From cool foggy coast to hot Central Valley to mountain to desert. Mediterranean climate dominates: wet winters, dry summers. The most productive agricultural state in the country, with reach into citrus and olives that exceed the rest of the country.
Common challenges
Issues that most often defeat home gardeners in zone 10a, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ No chilling for traditional temperate fruit
- ▸ Hurricane exposure
- ▸ Heat-tolerant cultivars only
What defeats new gardeners in Los Angeles
Summer heat is the defining constraint. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants set fruit poorly when daytime highs exceed 95°F sustained for weeks. Pollen becomes sterile, flowers drop, and yields collapse even if the plant survives. Water availability is the second major challenge; Los Angeles faces periodic drought conditions and irrigation restrictions that can coincide with the hottest months. A third challenge is late-season pests and diseases entering from neighboring gardens and wild plant reservoirs. Powdery mildew, spider mites, and whiteflies can explode in late summer when stressed plants are most vulnerable. Planning around these pressures (early spring plantings, heat-tolerant varieties, strategic fallowing) is more critical than managing frost.
Crops that grow in Los Angeles
28 crops from our catalog match zone 10a, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
12 crops
zone 10a Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
zone 10a Asian Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
zones 7a–10a
zone 10a Pomegranate
Punica granatum
zones 7b–10a
zone 10a Lemon
Citrus limon
zones 9a–11b
zone 10a Orange
Citrus sinensis
zones 9a–11b
zone 10a Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
zones 9b–11b
zone 10a Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
zones 9a–11b
zone 10a Avocado
Persea americana
zones 9b–11b
Berries
3 crops
Nuts
1 crop
Vegetables
10 crops
zone 10a Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 10a Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 10a Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 10a Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 10a Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
zones 3b–10a
zone 10a Summer Squash
Cucurbita pepo
zones 3b–10a
zone 10a Melon
Cucumis melo
zones 5a–10a
zone 10a Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
zones 5b–10a
Herbs
2 crops
Plan the year
Planting calendar for Los Angeles
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Los Angeles's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Los Angeles, CA (zone 10a)
Quiet week in Los Angeles, CA (zone 10a). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
147 bars · 28 crops
Calendar logic combines NOAA frost normals with crop-specific timing data. Local microclimate and weather always overrules the calendar; use this as a starting point.
Top pests for zone 10a
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
Pseudococcidae spp.
Soft white waxy insects that cluster at leaf joints, fruit stems, and root crowns. Honeydew secretion supports sooty mold; root mealybugs cause decline that mimics drought.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Multiple species (Aphididae)
Small soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that reproduce explosively in spring. Excrete honeydew that supports sooty mold and attracts ants. Transmit viral diseases.
Multiple species (Aleyrodidae)
Tiny white moth-like flying insects that feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew. Transmit numerous viral diseases including tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
Coccoidea spp.
Sap-sucking insects that attach to bark, leaves, and fruit, secreting honeydew that fuels sooty mold. Heavy infestations weaken trees and cause leaf yellowing.
Tetranychus urticae
Tiny mite that feeds on leaf undersides, causing stippling and webbing during hot dry weather.
Ceratitis capitata
Quarantine pest in many regions. Adult females puncture ripening fruit to lay eggs; larvae tunnel through the flesh, causing premature drop and rot.
Multiple species (Chrysomelidae)
Tiny black or bronze jumping beetles that put hundreds of small holes in seedling leaves. Most damaging on direct-seeded brassicas and young eggplant.
Top diseases for zone 10a
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
Capnodium spp.
Black fungal coating that grows on honeydew secreted by aphids, scale, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Doesn't infect plant tissue directly but blocks photosynthesis and disfigures fruit.
Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, and others
Family of plant viruses producing mottled yellow-and-green leaf patterns. Vectored primarily by aphids; some are seed-transmitted or spread by handling tools and tobacco products.
Calcium deficiency physiological disorder
Not a true disease but a calcium-uptake disorder caused by inconsistent soil moisture during fruit development. The dominant cause of damaged first-fruit on home tomato plantings.
Sclerotium rolfsii
Soil-borne fungal disease most damaging in warm humid Southern conditions. White mycelial fans and small mustard-seed-sized sclerotia at the soil line are diagnostic.
Pythium and Rhizoctonia species
Soil-borne complex of water molds and fungi that kill seedlings before or shortly after emergence. The single most common cause of seed-starting failures.
Fusarium oxysporum
Soil-borne fungal disease that plugs vascular tissue and kills affected plants. Persists in soil for many years; impossible to eliminate once established.
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Most damaging mango disease worldwide. Fungal spores infect blossoms and developing fruit during humid weather, producing black sunken lesions that expand on ripening fruit.
Multiple species (Erysiphales)
Surface-feeding fungal disease producing white powdery growth on leaves and stems. Reduces yield by stealing photosynthate and accelerating senescence.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 10a.
- Fig + Rosemary
Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.
- Tomato + Basil
The classic Italian pairing. Basil's volatile oils are reported to repel hornworms and whiteflies, and the two crops share the same warm-season schedule and water needs. Plant basil between tomato cages.
- Sweet Pepper + Basil
Same warm-season culture, same watering schedule. Basil reportedly improves pepper flavor and repels aphids and thrips that are pepper's primary pests.
- Hot Pepper + Basil
Compatible heat-loving culture, similar water needs. Basil interplanted between hot pepper plants supports beneficial insects and reduces aphid pressure.
- Okra + Hot Pepper
Both heat-loving warm-season crops with similar water and fertility needs. Hot pepper at okra's base benefits from the slight afternoon shade in extreme summer heat.
Soil types reference
Soil texture and pH decide what grows easily on your specific lot. Find the closest match below for crop recommendations and amendment guidance.
Practical tips for Los Angeles
First, split tomato and pepper crops into two cycles: an early spring planting (January-February) that produces through April-May before heat, and a late-summer sowing (July-August) that germinates in heat but establishes roots before cooler fall weather arrives, producing heavily in October-November. Second, use shade cloth (30-50%) over peppers and eggplants during peak summer months (June-August) to maintain pollination while reducing fruit-cooking risk. Third, establish deep, drip-based irrigation on a timer to deliver water early morning and late evening, reducing demand during peak heat stress and conforming to potential water restrictions that often prohibit midday watering.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best crops to grow in Los Angeles?
Perennial fruit crops like fig, Asian persimmon, pomegranate, and goji berry thrive with minimal frost risk. For vegetables, tomatoes and peppers work best in spring and fall cycles; eggplant handles heat better than most nightshades. Greens, broccoli, and root crops excel in winter and early spring.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Los Angeles?
Plant transplants in January-February for a spring crop that peaks before June heat, or sow seeds directly in mid-July to early August for a fall crop (ready to transplant by September). Avoid planting between mid-May and early July, when heat will stress seedlings.
- What's the biggest weather challenge?
Summer heat exceeding 95°F sustained for weeks. This reduces fruit set and plant vigor in heat-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers far more than the near-zero frost risk affects winter hardiness.
- Can I garden year-round in Los Angeles?
Yes, with a 365-day growing season and essentially no frost risk (last spring frost December 31, first fall frost December 28). However, summer (June-August) heat makes many crops infeasible during that window. Winter and spring are the most reliable seasons.
- What's the biggest pest or disease problem?
Powdery mildew and spider mites intensify in late summer on heat-stressed plants. Whiteflies and thrips also thrive year-round. Consistent monitoring and early intervention prevent infestations; resistant varieties are critical.
- How should I approach irrigation?
Drip irrigation on timers delivering water early morning or late evening is essential during hot months. Shallow, frequent watering wastes water and stresses plants; deep watering 2-3 times weekly supports healthy root systems and drought tolerance.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00023152. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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