Local planting guide · California
zip 94061
Redwood City is in USDA hardiness zone 10a, with average winter lows of 30°F to 35°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/06 through 12/23 (~353 days). This zip falls within the California growing region.
- USDA zone
- 10a 30°F to 35°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/06
- First fall frost
- 12/23
- Growing season
- 353 days
- Compatible crops
- 28
- Growing region
- California
Right now in Redwood City
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Redwood City
Redwood City sits in zone 10a with a growing season that extends nearly year-round, 353 days between the last spring frost (January 6) and first fall frost (December 23). This exceptional length masks a coastal climate reality: summer temperatures rarely match inland zone 10a expectations. Marine layer fog keeps growing conditions moderate and stable, which is excellent for reliable production but means heat-loving crops often arrive late to full ripeness. Tomatoes, peppers, figs, and eggplant thrive with south-facing placement and reflective mulches. Cool-season crops (leafy greens, brassicas, alliums) succeed in fall, winter, and early spring, often without bolting. The mild climate permits crop succession: a spring planting of peas can be pulled in early summer, followed by basil or cucumbers, then autumn greens. Soil tends toward sandy loam, common to the Bay Area peninsula, which drains well but requires amendment for water retention. The combination of a long frost-free window and moderate temperatures makes Redwood City ideal for experimenting with crops that struggle in continental climates.
Regional context · California
What the California brings to Redwood City
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 Redwood City
The January frost date, while late, carries real risk: winter cold snaps can damage tender perennials established less than a year, especially figs and citrus. Unexpected frost events in late January or early February have ended otherwise promising seasons. Summer fog marine layer can delay fruit ripening in heat-loving crops; tomatoes and peppers may struggle to achieve full sugar development in cloudy years. Coastal winds can snap young transplants and desiccate foliage, particularly in spring and early summer. Soil pH tends slightly acidic (6.0 to 6.5), which suits most crops but can lock up trace minerals in sandy soils; boron deficiency appears in stone fruits without supplementation.
Crops that grow in Redwood City
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 Redwood City
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Redwood City's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Redwood City, CA (zone 10a)
Quiet week in Redwood City, 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 Redwood City
Time transplants of heat-loving crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant) for late February or March, after the January frost risk passes but early enough to capture warming into spring. Use walls, fences, or raised beds painted dark to reflect heat and extend ripening for midsummer maturity. Leverage the long season by planning crop succession: finish spring peas by late May, shift to summer peppers and basil, transition to autumn greens by late August. This pattern captures three distinct harvest windows and matches the Bay Area's natural seasonal rhythm. For year-round production, maintain a winter greens planting (October to January) separate from summer warmth-seekers.
Frequently asked questions
- What crops grow most reliably in Redwood City?
Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant thrive with south-facing spots and reflective mulch to overcome summer fog. Figs, Asian persimmons, and pomegranates flourish as long-term perennials. Cool-season crops (leafy greens, brassicas, peas) excel in fall, winter, and early spring. Goji berries adapt well to the sandy soils and moderate humidity.
- When should I start tomatoes in Redwood City?
Start seeds indoors in late January or early February for transplanting after the January 6 frost date (late February to early March). This timing avoids frost damage to young transplants while allowing enough warmth for fruit set and ripening before peak summer fog in June.
- What's the biggest weather risk in this area?
Late-January frost events pose the biggest risk, despite the mild zone 10a rating. Cold snaps during winter can damage newly established tender perennials and kill frost-sensitive transplants. Keep frost cloth handy for crops planted in fall or early winter.
- Can I grow citrus in Redwood City?
Yes, but with caution. The January 6 frost date is late enough to risk cold damage to tender citrus. Plant in sheltered, south-facing locations, avoid planting or transplanting in late autumn, and choose cold-hardy varieties like satsuma or kumquat.
- How does summer fog affect my garden?
Fog keeps temperatures moderate and prevents extreme heat stress, which is excellent for cool-season crops and reduces irrigation demands. However, heat-loving crops (peppers, figs, melons) ripen more slowly. Mitigate with reflective mulches, south-facing placement, and early-maturing varieties.
- What soil amendments does Redwood City need?
Sandy soils common to the area drain quickly but lack organic matter. Incorporate compost in spring to improve water retention and nutrient availability. Test pH; slightly acidic soils (6.0 to 6.5) suit most crops but may need boron supplementation for stone fruits.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00023244. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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