When it comes to gardening, Ventura County is home to a diverse, temperate climate spanning seven Sunset Western Garden Collection’s Climate Zones (18–24), and a year-round growing season—from Ventura’s virtually frost-free beaches to Ojai’s mountains with occasional snow-capped peaks.
We’ve simplified those zones and broken down what is possible to plant this spring and when, depending on where you live (and garden) in the county. Use these three basic “Edible” zones with last-frost-date estimates to help you plan your spring garden— whether in pots on the porch or balcony, a garden bed in the front or backyard, or even just a little space on your windowsill.
Remember that variables like soil temperature, light, moisture and seed viability can impact the planting times. Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are microclimates in every area that could shift your planting time by several weeks. Experienced gardeners can create their own microclimates to make a more suitable location for exotic plants.
| Edible Zone | General Region | When to Plant |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Beaches and inland coastal |
Parts of Port Hueneme, Oxnard and Ventura |
No estimated frost dates. Plant anytime. |
|
2 Inland valleys and lower elevations |
Parts of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Ojai Valley, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Saticoy, Simi Valley, Somis, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village |
Estimated last frost date: March 23, 2019. Sow indoors prior, in the ground anytime after. |
|
3 Mountains |
Parts of Camarillo, Santa Paula, Upper Ojai and Ventura |
Estimated last frost date: March 23, 2019. Sow indoors prior, in the ground anytime after. |
Online Resources
By using an online planting guide, you can determine by zip code or location, what your average first frost date is. This is your target first planting date. In beach areas you might actually live in a frost free zone, meaning you can plant anytime. Inland coastal, you might be able to plant in Feb and March. Higher elevations might be delayed by several weeks.
Planting guide 1
What can you plant? The list can be long but I will list the more common vegetables that you are most familiar with. This site provides planting times for a ‘typical’ So Cal climate. Adjust planting dates to suit your zone.
But Sow What In Spring?
Basil, Beans, Beets, Carrots, Chives, Cilantro, Corn, Cucumber, Dill, Eggplant, Green Bunching Onions, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Parsnip, Peas, Peppers, Radish, Spinach, Strawberries, Squash, Sunflower, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Thyme.
Some of the best information that you will need is right on the seed packet.
Whatever it is you choose to do, know that if you start with healthy conditions you will grow healthy plants. Healthy soil = healthy plants = healthy you.
Happy gardening!
