When to plant summer squash / zucchini in Sacramento

Summer squash / Zucchini is frost-tender, so every date keys off Sacramento's last spring frost of Feb 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 23 – Mar 16
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 2 – May 23
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 16 – Jul 1
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Sacramento's 282-day season leaves this much room.
Summer squash / Zucchini on Sacramento's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FEB 15
NOV 27

Common questions

When can I sow summer squash / zucchini outdoors in Sacramento?

Direct-sow around early May (May 2–May 23) in Sacramento, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When will summer squash / zucchini be ready to harvest in Sacramento?

Expect to harvest from around mid June (Jun 16–Jul 1) in Sacramento, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start summer squash / zucchini seeds indoors in Sacramento?

Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 23–Mar 16) in Sacramento, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant summer squash / zucchini outdoors in Sacramento?

Transplant outdoors around early May (May 2–May 23) in Sacramento, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

How long is the growing season in Sacramento?

Sacramento has roughly 282 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow summer squash / zucchini to maturity outdoors.

The rule of thumb

Sow summer squash / zucchini 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Sacramento's frost dates.

Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.