In Ventura County, every season is gardening season, but spring is unique in the expansive variety that can be planted now. Cool weather crops are just finishing up, while warm weather crops are being planted. So what can you plant and when?
A few years ago, we split up our region into three “Edible Gardening Zones” to make it easier to make gardening recommendations. While there are actually six distinctive microclimates in the county, ranging from mountains to coastal plains, we stand by our delineation. In light of our changing climate, however, it is important to note that seed packet information is your friend, diversity of plants is smart planting and experimentation is the key to a great garden.
VENTURA COUNTY MICROCLIMATES
Temperature and preciptation rates can vary widely within these areas, even just a few miles apart.
- Highlands and Mountains
- Coastal Plains
- Coastal Strip
- Interior Valleys like Ojai Valley
- Interior Valleys with Coastal Influence
- Interior Valleys without Coastal Influence
What to Plant in Ventura County This Spring
Cool-season crops are finishing up; warm-season crops are just getting started. Find your zone below to know what to sow right now.
| Crop | Coastal Strip & Plains (Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme) |
Interior Valleys (Ojai, Fillmore, Santa Paula) |
Highlands & Mountains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm-Season Vegetables — Starting Now | |||
| Tomatoes | Transplant mid-March–April | Transplant March | Transplant April–May |
| Peppers | Transplant April | Transplant March–April | Transplant May |
| Eggplant | Transplant April | Transplant March–April | Transplant May |
| Summer Squash & Zucchini | Direct sow March–April | Direct sow March | Direct sow April–May |
| Cucumbers | Direct sow April | Direct sow March–April | Direct sow May |
| Beans (bush & pole) | Direct sow March–April | Direct sow March | Direct sow April–May |
| Corn | Direct sow April | Direct sow March–April | Direct sow May |
| Herbs — Plant Now | |||
| Basil | Transplant April | Transplant March–April | Transplant May |
| Cilantro & Dill | Direct sow now | Direct sow now | Direct sow March–April |
| Parsley & Chives | Direct sow or transplant | Direct sow or transplant | Transplant April |
| Cool-Season Crops — Last Call | |||
| Lettuce & Salad Greens | Sow now | Sow now | Direct sow through April |
| Spinach | Last call — sow immediately | Last call — sow immediately | Direct sow through April |
| Peas | Last call — direct sow now | Direct sow now | Direct sow through April |
| Kale & Chard | Finishing up; replant in August | Finishing up; replant in August | Can continue through May |
| Edible Flowers & Fruit | |||
| Nasturtiums & Calendula | Direct sow now | Direct sow now | Direct sow March–April |
| Strawberries | Plant crowns now | Plant crowns now | Plant crowns April |
| Avocado | Plant container-grown trees | Plant container-grown trees | Not recommended |
Note: Ventura County has six microclimates and conditions can vary significantly even within a few miles. Always check your seed packet for specific guidance, and use this table as a starting point rather than a strict rule. When in doubt, experiment — that’s how the best local gardeners learn their patch.
Frequently Asked Questions: Spring Gardening in Ventura County
Can I really garden year-round in Ventura County? Yes — in Ventura County, every season is gardening season. The mild climate means something can always be growing, but spring is the most expansive planting window of the year because cool-weather crops are finishing up just as warm-weather crops are ready to go in.
What makes spring planting in Ventura County different from the rest of California? Ventura County has six distinctive microclimates — ranging from mountains to coastal plains — and temperature and precipitation rates can vary widely, even just a few miles apart. That means your neighbor’s garden timing may not match yours. Knowing your zone is the starting point for smart spring planting here.
What are the gardening zones in Ventura County? We use three Edible Gardening Zones to simplify planning, though the county technically has six microclimates: Highlands and Mountains; Coastal Plains and Coastal Strip; and Interior Valleys (including the Ojai Valley, valleys with coastal influence, and those without). Each zone has different ideal planting windows for the same crops.
What vegetables can I plant in spring in Ventura County? Spring is the transition season — cool-weather crops like lettuce, kale, chard, peas, and brassicas are wrapping up, while warm-weather crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, basil, and beans are going in. Check our planting chart above for what’s right for your specific zone.
When should I start tomatoes in Ventura County? That depends on where you live in the county. Coastal areas stay cooler longer, so transplanting tomatoes too early can stall growth. Interior valleys like Ojai warm up faster and can support earlier planting. Your seed packet is your best reference — and experimenting from year to year is how you learn your specific microclimate. Also check out tomato start sourcing here.
Is it too late to plant cool-weather crops in spring? In most Ventura County zones, cool-season crops like lettuce and spinach begin to struggle as temperatures climb in late spring. Early March is usually your last good window for a cool-season succession planting. After that, shift focus to heat-lovers.
How do I know which planting zone I’m in? While there are six microclimates in Ventura County, we group them into three practical gardening zones: coastal, inland valley, and highland. Generally, if you’re within a few miles of the coast (Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme), you’re in a coastal zone. If you’re in Ojai, Fillmore, or Santa Paula, you’re in an interior valley. If you’re up in the hills or mountains, your season will run later than both.
What does “diversity of plants is smart planting” mean? In light of our changing climate, seed packet information is your friend, diversity of plants is smart planting, and experimentation is the key to a great garden. Growing a wide variety of crops — rather than going all-in on one or two — means if one variety struggles with an unexpected heat spike or cold snap, others will carry the season.
Where can I buy seeds or starts for spring planting in Ventura County? Your local farmers market is a great starting point — many vendors sell seedlings alongside their produce. Local nurseries throughout the county carry region-appropriate starts, and some farms offer workshops or plant sales in early spring.
What edible flowers can I plant in spring in Ventura County? Nasturtiums, borage, calendula, and violas all do well in Ventura County’s spring conditions and can be planted now. They attract pollinators, add color to the garden, and are edible additions to salads and plates. Learn more here.
