Planting calendar for Bakersfield, California

Dates from 30 years of records at the Bakersfield 5 NW weather station, 3.6 miles from Bakersfield, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Bakersfield at a glance

Weather station: Bakersfield 5 NW · 3.6 mi
USDA zone: 9b
Frost: Brief: typically Dec 8–Jan 31; 1 year in 10 Nov 23–Feb 27
Hottest month: July: highs 97°F, nights 70°F
Coldest month: December: highs 59°F, nights 38°F
Rain: 7 in. a year, most in January, February and March

What shapes the seasons here

Frost is brief in Bakersfield: the frosty spell typically runs only from about Dec 8 to Jan 31, and 1 year in 10 it stretches from Nov 23 to Feb 27. Tender crops can go in most of the year; summer heat, not frost, is the main limit.

Summer highs average 97°F in July. Lettuce, spinach and cilantro bolt in heat like this, so they're best planted Jan 7–Mar 6, Oct 5–Nov 30.

Bakersfield gets about 7 inches of rain a year, most of it in January, February and March. Plan on regular watering: most months get less than 1 inch.

158 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 16 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Bakersfield, month by month

January59

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Lovage, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Fig, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Celeriac (celery root), Fava bean, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Rutabaga, Salsify, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Watercress, Catnip, Lemon balm, Mint, Blackberry, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Winter savory, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

February60

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radish, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Blackberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Statice, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Artichoke, Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fava bean, Fennel (bulb), Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Bay laurel, Dill, Rosemary, Raspberry, Black-eyed Susan, Larkspur, Milkweed (native), Pansy / viola, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Marjoram, Ground cherry, Milkweed (native)

March23

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Celery, Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Potato, Radish, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Watercress

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bay laurel, Borage, Fenugreek (methi), Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Summer savory, Winter savory

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

Can also plant

Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Bee balm (bergamot), Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Parsley, Sage, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Fig, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Tomatillo, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Marigold

April25

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing)

Herbs: Epazote, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Shiso (perilla)

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Nasturtium

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Radish, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Borage, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Summer savory, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Annual salvia, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Marigold, Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Roselle, Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May24

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Okra, Peanut, Pigeon pea, Purslane, Roselle, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Papalo, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bitter melon, Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Popcorn, Radish, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Cuban oregano, Epazote, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Celery, Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June15

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (lima), Edamame, Pigeon pea, Pumpkin, Sweet potato, Winter squash

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Stevia

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Peanut, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Yardlong bean, Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Watermelon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (slicing), Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

July14

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Pumpkin, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Watermelon, Celosia

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Onion (bulbing), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Marigold, Statice, Strawflower

August27

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Basil

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cosmos, Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Yardlong bean, Borage, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Statice, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Strawflower

September22

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Borage, Dill, Epazote

Flowers: Nasturtium, Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock

October52

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Elephant garlic, Fava bean, Garden cress, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon

November50

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Elephant garlic, Fava bean, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Lavender, Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock

December21

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fava bean, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach

Herbs: Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cardoon, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Swiss chard, Turnip, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Calendula, Coreopsis (tickseed), Stock, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Lettuce (romaine & head), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lovage, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

Every crop that grows in Bakersfield

158 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Apr 30–May 14, Sep 20–21	May 15–Sep 19	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 9–23, Aug 19–Sep 8	Apr 24–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Jan 17–31	Feb 1–28	Nov 15–29	Set out plants
Arugula	Jan 8–Mar 13, Oct 6–Nov 29	Mar 14–Apr 27, Aug 31–Oct 5, Nov 30–Jan 7	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Jan 3–31	Feb 1–28	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Apr 9–23, Sep 2–23	Apr 24–May 10, Jul 20–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Apr 9–16, Jul 29–Aug 19	Jun 24–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	Jun 17–Jul 1, Aug 4–24	Jul 2–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Apr 9–23, Aug 23–Sep 13	Apr 24–28, Jul 6–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Jan 5–Feb 28, Oct 2–Dec 1	Mar 1–Apr 13, Aug 25–Oct 1, Dec 2–Jan 4	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Apr 9–23, Aug 21–Sep 11	Apr 24–May 13, Jun 25–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Jan 17–Mar 4	Mar 5–Apr 1, Sep 15–Oct 2	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 21–Jun 4	Jun 5–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Oct 9–Dec 3, Dec 29–Feb 10	Feb 11–Mar 27, Sep 9–Oct 8, Dec 4–28	Aug 28–Oct 22, Nov 17–Dec 30	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Jan 3–Feb 24, Oct 10–Dec 2	Feb 25–Apr 10, Sep 9–Oct 9, Dec 3–Jan 2	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Oct 12–Jan 5	Jan 6–Feb 27, Sep 9–Oct 11	Aug 31–Nov 24	Set out plants
Cabbage	Oct 11–Dec 9, Dec 18–Jan 31	Feb 1–Mar 28, Aug 31–Oct 10, Dec 10–17	Aug 30–Oct 28, Nov 6–Dec 20	Set out plants
Cardoon	Jan 14–30, Sep 13–Nov 27	Jan 31–Feb 17, Jun 6–14, Aug 25–Sep 12, Nov 28–Jan 13	Jul 12–Sep 25, Nov 12–28	Set out plants
Carrot	Jan 3–Feb 21, Oct 2–Dec 2	Feb 22–Apr 5, Aug 25–Oct 1, Dec 3–Jan 2	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Jan 10–24, Sep 9–17	Jan 25–Apr 1	Jul 29–Aug 6, Nov 29–Dec 13	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Feb 17–Mar 2, Aug 24–Nov 12	Jan 21–Feb 16, Mar 3–14, Jun 5–29, Aug 4–23, Nov 13–25	Jun 8–Aug 27, Dec 2–15	Set out plants
Celery	Mar 6–20, Aug 4–11	Mar 21–24, Jun 18–29	May 19–26, Dec 19–Jan 2	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Jan 21–Feb 4	Feb 5–Mar 17	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Jan 4–Feb 27, Sep 29–Dec 1	Feb 28–Apr 12, Aug 19–Sep 28, Dec 2–Jan 3	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Oct 6–Feb 10	Feb 11–Apr 15, Aug 4–Oct 5	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Apr 9–23, Aug 26–Sep 16	Apr 24–May 9, Jul 19–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Apr 9–23, Aug 24–Sep 13	Apr 24–May 4, Jul 13–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Oct 14–Dec 5, Dec 25–Feb 6	Feb 7–Mar 26, Sep 15–Oct 13, Dec 6–24	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	Jun 16–30, Aug 6–24	Jul 1–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Apr 30–May 14, Aug 9–25	May 15–Aug 8	Feb 26–Mar 12, Jun 7–23	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Jan 10–24	Jan 25–Mar 2	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Oct 21–Dec 11, Dec 15–30	Sep 30–Oct 20, Dec 12–14, Dec 31–Feb 11	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Jan 17–31	Feb 1–Mar 17	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Feb 8–Apr 5, Oct 7–Nov 4	Jan 17–Feb 7, Apr 6–May 12, Sep 10–Oct 6	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Green onion / scallion	Jan 26–Feb 23	Jan 3–25, Feb 24–28	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Oct 14–Feb 6	Feb 7–Apr 12, Aug 25–Oct 13	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Jan 6–Mar 5, Oct 5–Nov 30	Mar 6–Apr 18, Aug 31–Oct 4, Dec 1–Jan 5	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jan 8–Mar 12, Sep 30–Nov 29	Mar 13–Apr 25, Aug 19–Sep 29, Nov 30–Jan 7	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Oct 6–Jan 9	Jan 10–Mar 3, Aug 25–Oct 5	Aug 4–Nov 7	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Jan 7–Mar 6, Oct 5–Nov 30	Mar 7–Apr 19, Aug 31–Oct 4, Dec 1–Jan 6	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Oct 10–Dec 3, Dec 30–Feb 15	Feb 16–Apr 1, Sep 9–Oct 9, Dec 4–29	Sep 5–Oct 29, Nov 25–Jan 11	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 21–Jun 4	Jun 5–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Oct 25–Jan 18	Jan 19–Mar 16, Sep 27–Oct 24	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Jan 4–Mar 1, Oct 10–Dec 1	Mar 2–Apr 16, Sep 9–Oct 9, Dec 2–Jan 3	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jan 18–Mar 5, Sep 26–Nov 26	Mar 6–Apr 5, Aug 31–Sep 25, Nov 27–Jan 17	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 9–23, Aug 26–Sep 15	Apr 24–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Okra	May 21–Jun 4	Jun 5–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Sep 20–Feb 16	Feb 17–Apr 6, Jun 12–Sep 19	Jul 5–Dec 1	Set out plants
Parsnip	Oct 5–Jan 7	Jan 8–Mar 1, Aug 25–Oct 4	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Jan 8–Feb 23, Oct 5–Nov 29	Feb 24–Apr 1, Sep 9–Oct 4, Nov 30–Jan 7	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Jan 8–Feb 21, Oct 5–Nov 30	Feb 22–Mar 30, Sep 9–Oct 4, Dec 1–Jan 7	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	May 21–Jun 4	Jun 5–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Apr 18–May 2, Aug 1–22	May 3–Jul 31	Feb 14–28, May 30–Jun 20	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Apr 9–23, Aug 11–Sep 1	Apr 24–May 7, Jun 17–Aug 10	Feb 5–19, Jun 9–30	Set out plants
Pigeon pea	May 21–Jun 11	—	—	Sow seeds
Popcorn	Apr 9–16	Apr 17–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Jan 19–Mar 13	Jan 3–18, Mar 14–Apr 2, Aug 4–21	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Jun 12–26, Jul 7–28	Jun 27–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Apr 30–May 14, Sep 1–12	May 15–Aug 31	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Jan 3–27	Jan 28–Feb 21	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Jan 13–Mar 26, Oct 9–Nov 27	Mar 27–May 10, Sep 8–Oct 8, Nov 28–Jan 12	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Jan 3–31	Feb 1–28	—	Set out plants
Roselle	May 21–29	—	Apr 16–24	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Oct 18–Jan 1	Jan 2–Feb 19, Sep 21–Oct 17	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Sep 30–Jan 1	Jan 2–Feb 14, Jun 1–14, Aug 25–Sep 29	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 21–Jun 4, Jul 5–18	Jun 5–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Sep 30–Dec 11, Dec 16–Feb 2	Feb 3–Mar 27, Jun 22–29, Aug 4–Sep 29, Dec 12–15	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 21–Jun 4, Aug 6–11	Jun 5–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Oct 22–Jan 31	Feb 1–Apr 5, Sep 15–Oct 21	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Apr 9–23, Aug 29–Sep 18	Apr 24–May 7, Jul 16–Aug 28	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Jan 31–Feb 21	Jan 10–30	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 9–16, Aug 11–31	Apr 17–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 8–Jul 9	May 21–Jun 7, Jul 10–23	Apr 20–May 21	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Jan 7–Mar 21, Sep 18–Nov 30	Mar 22–May 5, Jul 14–Sep 17, Dec 1–Jan 6	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Apr 9–23	Apr 24–May 1	Feb 26–Mar 12	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Apr 9–23, Aug 26–Sep 15	Apr 24–May 12, Jun 24–Aug 25	Feb 19–Mar 5, Jul 8–28	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Mar 6–13, Aug 31–Sep 20	Mar 14–May 16, Jun 29–Aug 30	Jan 16–23, Jul 13–Aug 2	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Apr 30–May 14, Aug 13–24	May 15–Aug 12	Mar 12–26, Jun 25–Jul 6	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Apr 9–23, Aug 13–Sep 3	Apr 24, Jul 2–Aug 12	Feb 19–Mar 5, Jun 25–Jul 16	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Apr 9–20, Aug 11–31	Jun 26–Aug 10	Feb 19–Mar 2, Jun 23–Jul 13	Set out plants
Turnip	Jan 6–Mar 5, Oct 5–Nov 30	Mar 6–Apr 18, Aug 31–Oct 4, Dec 1–Jan 5	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Feb 7–Mar 7	Jan 10–Feb 6	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 21–Jun 4	Jun 5–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 7–28	May 15–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Jun 21–Jul 5, Jul 17–Aug 7	Jul 6–16	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 21–Jun 4, Aug 11	Jun 5–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Feb 7–Mar 7	Jan 31–Feb 6, Mar 8–28	Dec 24–Jan 21	Set out plants
Basil	Apr 30–May 7, Aug 24–Sep 6	May 8–Aug 23	Mar 26–Apr 2, Jul 20–Aug 2	Set out plants
Bay laurel	Mar 4–28	Feb 7–Mar 3	—	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Feb 2–Mar 2	Jan 31–Feb 1, Mar 3–28	Dec 15–Jan 12	Set out plants
Borage	Feb 6–Apr 1, Sep 10–30	Jan 24–Feb 5, Apr 2–26, Aug 4–Sep 9	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Oct 1–Dec 3, Dec 30–Feb 10	Feb 11–Mar 26, Aug 25–Sep 30, Dec 4–29	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Jan 28–Feb 18	Jan 17–27, Feb 19–28	Dec 10–31	Set out plants
Chamomile	Jan 3–Feb 22, Oct 2–Dec 2	Feb 23–Apr 6, Aug 25–Oct 1, Dec 3–Jan 2	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Jan 5–Feb 21, Oct 10–Nov 30	Feb 22–Apr 1, Sep 15–Oct 9, Dec 1–Jan 4	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Jan 31–Feb 28	Mar 1–28	Dec 13–Jan 10	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jan 8–Feb 25, Oct 6–Nov 29	Feb 26–Apr 4, Sep 9–Oct 5, Nov 30–Jan 7	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	May 27–Jun 9, Jun 11–25	Apr 30–May 26, Jun 10	—	Set out plants
Dill	Jan 17–24, Sep 14–Oct 5	Jan 25–Apr 20, Aug 25–Sep 13	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 9–23, Sep 7–28	Apr 24–Sep 6	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Feb 3–Mar 26, Sep 27–Oct 17	Jan 31–Feb 2, Mar 27–May 1, Aug 25–Sep 26	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Jan 27–Feb 24	Jan 24–26, Feb 25–Mar 21	Dec 9–Jan 6	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Feb 1–Mar 1	Jan 31, Mar 2–28	Dec 14–Jan 11	Set out plants
Lavender	Feb 7–Mar 3	Mar 4–28	Nov 22–Dec 16	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Feb 7–28	Jan 17–Feb 6	Jan 3–24	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Mar 31–Apr 24	Mar 6–30	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Jan 17–Feb 7	Feb 8–28	Nov 29–Dec 20	Set out plants
Marjoram	Mar 23–Apr 16	Mar 6–22, Apr 17–24	Feb 2–26	Set out plants
Mint	Feb 7–28	Jan 17–Feb 6	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Feb 13–Mar 13	Jan 31–Feb 12, Mar 14–28	Dec 26–Jan 23	Set out plants
Papalo	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Aug 29	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Sep 30–Dec 7, Dec 20–Feb 12	Feb 13–Apr 7, Aug 4–Sep 29, Dec 8–19	Jul 29–Oct 5, Oct 18–Dec 11	Set out plants
Rosemary	Mar 4–28	Feb 7–Mar 3	Dec 17–Jan 10	Set out plants
Sage	Feb 1–Mar 1	Jan 24–31, Mar 2–21	Dec 14–Jan 11	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 9–16	Apr 17–Sep 10	Mar 5–12	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Jan 19–Feb 16	Jan 10–18, Feb 17–Mar 7	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	May 25–Jun 18	Apr 30–May 24	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Mar 6–20	Mar 21–Apr 28	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Jan 31–Feb 28	Mar 1–28	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Feb 2–Mar 2	Jan 31–Feb 1, Mar 3–28	Dec 8–Jan 5	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 7–Jun 4	Apr 9–May 6	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Feb 11–Mar 11	Jan 31–Feb 10, Mar 12–28	Dec 24–Jan 21	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Jan 28–Feb 28	Dec 27–Jan 27	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 30–Aug 19	May 15–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 9–23	Apr 24–Sep 3	Mar 5–19	Set out plants
Fig	Jan 10–Feb 7	Feb 8–Mar 21	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Jan 24–Feb 14	Jan 3–23	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 9–23	Apr 24–May 7	Feb 19–Mar 5	Set out plants
Raspberry	Jan 3–31	Feb 1–28	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Jan 24–Feb 21	Jan 3–23, Feb 22–28	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 27–Aug 17	May 15–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	May 9–26, Jun 27–Sep 3	Apr 9–May 8, May 27–Jun 26, Sep 4–28	Feb 28–Mar 17, Apr 18–Jun 25	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Oct 9–Dec 4, Dec 28–Feb 7	Feb 8–Mar 24, Sep 9–Oct 8, Dec 5–27	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Mar 22–Apr 19, Jun 15–Aug 31	Jan 31–Mar 21, Apr 20–Jun 14	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Jan 5–Mar 2, Oct 2–Nov 30	Mar 3–Apr 15, Aug 25–Oct 1, Dec 1–Jan 4	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Oct 9–Dec 4, Dec 28–Feb 7	Feb 8–Mar 24, Sep 9–Oct 8, Dec 5–27	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 21–28, Aug 1–3	May 29–Jul 31	Apr 2–9, Jun 13–15	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 27–Aug 6	Apr 9–May 26, Aug 7–29	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Sep 28–Dec 3, Dec 29–Feb 7	Feb 8–Mar 22, Aug 19–Sep 27, Dec 4–28	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 11–Aug 9	Apr 30–Jun 10, Aug 10–27	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 3–Aug 1	Apr 30–Jun 2, Aug 2–27	Apr 15–Jun 13	Set out plants
Larkspur	Oct 16–Jan 6	Jan 7–Feb 27, Sep 15–Oct 15	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	May 4–18, Jun 29–Sep 5	Apr 9–May 3, May 19–Jun 28, Sep 6–23	Mar 16–30, May 11–Jul 18	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Feb 28–Mar 28	Jan 31–Feb 27	Jan 24–Feb 21	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Mar 23–Apr 7, Sep 6–28	Mar 6–22, Apr 8–17, Aug 25–Sep 5	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Oct 24–Jan 27	Jan 28–Mar 31, Sep 21–Oct 23	Aug 8–Nov 11	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 21–Aug 13	May 21–Jun 20, Aug 14–Sep 5	Apr 19–Jun 11	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Feb 26–Mar 26	Jan 31–Feb 25, Mar 27–28	Dec 11–Jan 8	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Oct 14–Dec 9, Dec 17–Jan 11	Jan 12–Feb 26, Sep 15–Oct 13, Dec 10–16	Aug 12–Oct 7, Oct 15–Nov 9	Set out plants
Statice	Jan 31–Feb 14, Aug 30–Sep 20	Feb 15–Apr 19, Aug 4–29	Jun 28–Jul 19, Nov 29–Dec 13	Set out plants
Stock	Jan 14–Mar 1, Oct 6–Nov 27	Mar 2–Apr 1, Sep 15–Oct 5, Nov 28–Jan 13	Aug 4–Sep 25, Nov 12–Dec 28	Set out plants
Strawflower	Mar 6–20, Sep 7–27	Mar 21–Apr 25, Aug 4–Sep 6	Jan 16–30, Jul 20–Aug 9	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 5–Aug 12	Apr 9–Jun 4, Aug 13–24	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Jan 6–Mar 4, Oct 2–Nov 30	Mar 5–Apr 17, Aug 25–Oct 1, Dec 1–Jan 5	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Oct 9–Dec 3, Dec 28–Jan 27	Jan 28–Mar 6, Sep 15–Oct 8, Dec 4–27	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 9–Aug 8	Apr 30–Jun 8, Aug 9–29	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Bakersfield

These need a climate Bakersfield doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Blueberry: It needs acid soil, and dry-climate soil is usually alkaline. Grow it in a large pot of acid potting mix.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Culantro: The frost-free season (about 311 days) is shorter than the 70 days it needs.
Ginger: The frost-free season (about 311 days) is shorter than the 270 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 311 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Lemongrass: The frost-free season (about 311 days) is shorter than the 88 days it needs.
Malabar spinach: The frost-free season (about 311 days) is shorter than the 65 days it needs.
Moringa: The frost-free season (about 311 days) is shorter than the 75 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: It needs acid soil, and dry-climate soil is usually alkaline. Grow it in a large pot of acid potting mix.
Okinawa spinach: The frost-free season (about 311 days) is shorter than the 52 days it needs.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 311 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Los Angeles, CA 101 mi · frost-free
Fresno, CA 104 mi · frost only briefly in winter
Long Beach, CA 121 mi · frost-free
Riverside, CA 135 mi · frost only briefly in winter
Palm Springs, CA 176 mi · frost only briefly in winter
All California cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Bakersfield 5 NW station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).