What to Plant This Month
A month-by-month planting guide for Bay Area gardens.
Planting season in Northern California does not stop after spring. Trees, shrubs, privacy plants, fruit trees, California natives and drought-tolerant plants all have different useful planting windows.
Choose your month below, then explore the plants that make sense to consider for that part of the year.
Planting Calendar
There Is No Single Planting Season
The Bay Area includes coastal, near-bay and much warmer inland conditions. A plant that is easy to establish in one location may need more attention in another.
Use the Calendar as a Filter
Then make the final decision using the plant species, current weather, irrigation, sun exposure and your specific site.
Dormant Trees & Cool-Season Planting
January can be useful for many deciduous trees, fruit-tree projects and woody landscape plants, provided soil and weather conditions are suitable.
Winter rain can keep heavy soils wet longer.
Deciduous structure is easier to inspect without leaves.
Not every subtropical plant belongs in a cold inland January planting project.
Prepare for Spring Growth
As days lengthen, many trees and shrubs begin approaching active spring growth.
Spring Planting Opens Up
March brings active growth to many Bay Area gardens and greatly expands the range of practical planting choices.
Broad Landscape Planting
Mild spring conditions make April a flexible month for many landscape trees, shrubs and flowering plants.
Warm-Season Landscapes Begin
May is a strong transition into Mediterranean, flowering, privacy and warm-season planting.
Plant for Warm Conditions
Summer planting can work well, but irrigation should be working before new plants arrive.
Heat-Tolerant & Drought-Adapted Plants
July favors plants compatible with warmer conditions, especially where reliable establishment watering is available.
Warm-Climate Plants & Privacy Projects
August can still support many planting projects, but newly installed material needs closer attention during hot or dry weather.
Avoid unnecessary installation immediately before extreme heat.
Make sure irrigation reaches the original nursery roots.
Coastal and inland August conditions can be dramatically different.
Start Thinking About Fall Planting
September is an important transition month. Inland heat may still be present, but cooler fall establishment conditions are approaching.
One of the Most Useful Planting Periods
Cooler temperatures can make October especially useful for many trees, shrubs, hedges, natives and perennial landscape plants.
Focus on Roots and Establishment
Cooler conditions and seasonal rain can help many woody landscape plants establish before the next dry season.
Dormant Trees & Winter Landscape Projects
December begins another useful dormant-season window for appropriate deciduous fruit trees and many woody landscape projects.
Not Sure Which Month Matters Most?
Start with what you want the planting to accomplish, then use the monthly guide to narrow the timing.
The Same Month Does Not Mean the Same Weather
San Francisco, the Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay and inland valleys can experience very different temperatures and drying rates.
Use Your ZIP Code as Context
Plant species, local sun exposure, wind, soil and irrigation matter more than the name of the month alone.
This is especially important during summer heat and winter cold.
Finish the Rest of the Plan
Bay Area Planting Calendar Questions
What is the best month to plant trees in the Bay Area?
There is no single best month for every tree. Cooler fall and winter conditions are useful for many woody plants, while many species also establish successfully in spring. The plant and local conditions should determine the final timing.
Can I plant trees in summer?
Many container-grown trees can be planted in summer when irrigation and establishment care are appropriate. Avoid unnecessary installation during extreme heat when practical.
When should I plant California native plants?
Fall and cooler-season planting can be especially useful for many California native species because roots can establish before the following dry season.
What month should I plant privacy trees?
Many container-grown privacy plants can be installed through much of the year when weather, irrigation and site conditions are appropriate.
Can fruit trees be planted year-round?
Fruit trees should not all be treated the same way. Deciduous fruit trees, citrus and subtropical fruit trees have different climate and seasonal considerations.
Want Plants That Make Sense Right Now?
Start with our current Seasonal Picks, or send us your ZIP code, planting area, sun exposure and what you want the plants to accomplish.
