Zucchini in Zone 10a & 10b
Cucurbita pepo
Yes, zucchini grows in zones 10a and 10b. Start seeds indoors in Jan–Feb and plant out in Feb–Mar.
When to plant zucchini in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. In your zone it needs a head start on the heat that direct-sowing elsewhere doesn't require.
| Window | Spring window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Jan–Feb |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb–Mar |
| Estimated harvest | ~50 days after transplanting |
| Window | Summer window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Jul–Aug |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Aug–Sep |
| Estimated harvest | ~50 days after transplanting |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Zone 10b dates sourced from growinginthegarden.com.
Plant alongside it in zone 10b
These go outside within two weeks of zucchini in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoFeb–Apr
- Sweet CornFeb–Mar
- CucumberFeb–Apr
- BroccoliniJan 30–Feb 6
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)Jan 30–Feb 6
- CantaloupeFeb–Jul

Zucchini's reputation for overwhelming a garden is well-earned: a single healthy plant can produce more squash than most households can eat, which is exactly why our planting calendar puts just one plant per square foot rather than clustering several together.
How zucchini fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Zucchini needs about 50 days from sowing to first harvest.
Zucchini planting windows in every zone
Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | May 9–May 16 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Jul 26–Aug 2 |
| 4a & 4b | Apr 24–May 1 | May 22–May 29 | Jul 11–Jul 18 |
| 5a & 5b | Apr 19–Apr 26 | May 17–May 24 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 6a & 6b | Apr 4–Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | Jun 21–Jun 28 |
| 7a & 7b | Mar 20–Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jun 6–Jun 13 |
| 8a & 8b | Mar 4–Mar 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | May 21–May 28 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Apr 13–Apr 20 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window (your zone) | Jan–Feb | Feb–Mar | ~50 days after transplanting |
| Summer window | Jul–Aug | Aug–Sep | ~50 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11bSummer window | Not usually | Aug–Mar | ~50 days after planting |
Harvest dates are about 50 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
- Marigold: Marigolds deter squash bugs and beetles.
- Nasturtium: Nasturtium is a trap crop that draws aphids away from squash.
Where to buy zucchini seeds
True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's zucchini seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Dunja (F1, Organic): Johnny's Seeds describes it as early and powdery-mildew resistant, worth considering in humid climates where PM regularly cuts a zucchini season short. Buy: High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing zucchini" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Zucchini in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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