Planting calendar for Palm Springs, California

Dates from 30 years of records at the Palm Springs weather station, 2.1 miles from Palm Springs, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Palm Springs at a glance

Weather station: Palm Springs · 2.1 mi
USDA zone: 10a
Frost: Brief: typically Dec 31–Jan 1; 1 year in 10 Dec 11–Jan 18
Hottest month: July: highs 108°F, nights 78°F
Coldest month: December: highs 69°F, nights 45°F
Rain: 5 in. a year, most in January, February and December

What shapes the seasons here

Frost is brief in Palm Springs: the frosty spell typically runs only from about Dec 31 to Jan 1, and 1 year in 10 it stretches from Dec 11 to Jan 18. Tender crops can go in most of the year; summer heat, not frost, is the main limit.

Summer nights average 79°F in August. Above about 75°F, tomatoes and peppers stop setting fruit, so the best tomato planting here is Feb 11–25, Sep 17–23, timed so plants fruit before or after the hottest weeks.

Palm Springs gets about 5 inches of rain a year, most of it in January, February and December. Plan on regular watering: most months get less than 1 inch.

164 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 10 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 Palm Springs, month by month

January51

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Radish, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bay laurel, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chives, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Blackberry, Fig, Grape (bunch)

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

Can also plant

Asparagus, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Green onion / scallion, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Shallot, Spinach, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Parsley, Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Passion fruit, Annual salvia, Marigold, Milkweed (native), Strawflower

February29

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 (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

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

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Passion fruit

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

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radish, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Taro (dasheen), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Anise hyssop, Bay laurel, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Fig, Annual salvia, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Marigold, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Basil, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

March17

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Purslane, Taro (dasheen), Tomato (heat-set varieties)

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

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Passion fruit, Pineapple, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Cleome (spider flower), Marigold, Sunflower

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), New Zealand spinach, Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Borage, Cuban oregano, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Black-eyed Susan, Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Strawflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Malabar spinach, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

April21

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cassava (yuca), Chaya (tree spinach), Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Southern pea / cowpea, Taro (dasheen), Winged bean, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Cleome (spider flower), Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Jicama, Pigeon pea, Purslane, Roselle, Sweet potato, Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cosmos, Sunflower

Start seeds indoors

Roselle, Sweet potato

May6

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Cassava (yuca), Chaya (tree spinach), Jicama, Pigeon pea, Roselle

Flowers: Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Epazote, Papalo

Start seeds indoors

Roselle, Sweet potato, Celosia

June7

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Cassava (yuca), Chaya (tree spinach), Peanut, Pigeon pea, Roselle, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Okra, Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Papalo, Cleome (spider flower)

Start seeds indoors

Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena)

July1

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Sweet potato

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Okra, Pigeon pea, Purslane, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Annual salvia, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold

August9

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato

Fruit: Watermelon

Flowers: Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Okra, Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Marigold

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Basil, Parsley, Annual salvia, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Statice, Strawflower

September32

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

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

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Okra, Swiss chard, Epazote, Papalo

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Statice, Stock, Strawflower

October33

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Elephant garlic, Garlic, Leek, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Potato, Purslane, Salsify, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Epazote, Parsley

Fruit: Strawberry

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Turnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Larkspur, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Lavender, Parsley, Pansy / viola, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Stock

November65

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Elephant garlic, Endive & escarole, Fava bean, Fennel (bulb), 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), Potato, Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

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

Fruit: Strawberry

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

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice

December66

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, 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, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Grape (bunch)

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

Can also plant

Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Fava bean, Rutabaga, Salsify, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Fig, Black-eyed Susan, Statice, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Winter savory, Ground cherry, Passion fruit, Milkweed (native), Strawflower

Every crop that grows in Palm Springs

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

Herbs

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

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Dec 25–Jan 17	Jan 18–29, Nov 27–Dec 24	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Mar 16–28, Aug 29–Sep 11	—	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Feb 11–25	Feb 26–Apr 4	Jan 7–21	Set out plants
Fig	Dec 29–Feb 2	Feb 3–19, Dec 11–28	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Dec 25–Jan 15	Dec 4–24	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Feb 11–25	Feb 26–Mar 19	Dec 24–Jan 7	Set out plants
Passion fruit	Feb 11–Mar 17	—	Dec 10–Jan 13	Set out plants
Pineapple	Mar 16–24	—	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Oct 1–Dec 1	—	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Mar 16–30, Aug 19–Sep 9	—	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

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

Crops that struggle in Palm Springs

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

Banana: The frost-free season (about 364 days) is shorter than the 420 days it needs.
Blueberry: It needs acid soil, and dry-climate soil is usually alkaline. Grow it in a large pot of acid potting mix.
Ginger: The frost-free season (about 364 days) is shorter than the 270 days it needs.
Lemongrass: The frost-free season (about 364 days) is shorter than the 88 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.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 45°F.
Raspberry: Needs a real winter; nights in the coldest month here average 45°F.
Rhubarb: Needs a real winter; nights in the coldest month here average 45°F.
Stevia: The frost-free season (about 364 days) is shorter than the 100 days it needs.
Winter melon / wax gourd: The frost-free season (about 364 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Riverside, CA 50 mi · frost only briefly in winter
San Diego, CA 85 mi · frost-free
Long Beach, CA 94 mi · frost-free
Los Angeles, CA 99 mi · frost-free
Yuma, AZ 135 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 Palm Springs 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).