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USDA Zone 7

Mild winters and a long summer. Year-round growing is possible with cool-season crops.

Climate Overview

What to expect

  • Mild winters with occasional hard freezes
  • Frost-free window of roughly 180 to 210 days
  • Last frost early-to-mid April; first frost late October to November
  • Cool-season crops can grow through much of the winter

What Grows Well

TomatoesPeppersEggplantOkraBeansSquashCucumbersMelonsSweet potatoesBrassicasGreensAll herbs

Seeds To Stock

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Okra
  • Beans
  • Squash
  • Cucumbers
  • Melons
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Peas
  • Garlic
  • Onions

Direct Sow Suggestions

  • Peas
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Radishes
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Beans
  • Corn
  • Squash
  • Okra

Tray Start Suggestions

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Eggplant
  • Cucumbers
  • Squash
  • Broccoli
  • Onions

Monthly Planning

Current month is highlighted. Click any month to see the plan.

USDA Zone 7

JuneThis month

Plant Now

  • Beans (succession)
  • Cucumbers
  • Summer squash
  • Basil
  • Sunflowers

Start In Trays

  • Fall brassicas

Harvest

  • Peas
  • Lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Beets

Prepare Next

  • Succession-sow greens
  • Stake tomatoes

Common Challenges

Watch out for

  • Late spring frost surprises
  • Summer heat and humidity
  • Disease pressure in wet climates
  • Timing two growing seasons

Near Anderson, Redding, or Red Bluff, California? Our local guides go a lot deeper than this zone overview.