Winter wheat Planting Dates in California

Usual winter wheat planting and harvest periods in California, shown as ranges with their source. Use them to frame a plan, then adjust for your own frost dates and soil temperature.

Winter wheat dates in California
Activity	Window	Source	Last verified
Planting	Sep 25 to Feb 1 usual (most active Oct 20 to Jan 1)	source	2026-11-11
Harvest	May 20 to Jul 15 usual (most active Jun 1 to Jul 5)	source	2026-11-11

Winter wheat calendar for California
Item	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Planting	Planting window, most active in January	Planting window in February							Planting window in September	Planting window, most active in October	Planting window, most active in November	Planting window, most active in December
Harvest					Harvest window in May	Harvest window, most active in June	Harvest window, most active in July

What these dates mean in California

Planting usually runs about 130 days, from Sep 25 to Feb 1.

That start date is about 8 days later than the middle of the 42 places in this data set that report winter wheat planting dates (Sep 17).

Harvest usually runs about 57 days, from May 20 to Jul 15.

From the start of the planting window to the start of the harvest window is about 237 days in California, a rough guide to how long the crop occupies the bed or field.

Frost-date caveat: these are published ranges for California. A northern or high-elevation site will run later than a southern or low one, and a cold wet spring can push planting past the window. Frost dates and local conditions vary; NASS state-level usual dates from 20-year progress data (Oct 2010 edition), begin ~5% and end ~95% complete. Check your last spring frost and soil temperature, and confirm with your county extension office.

Related guides

Winter wheat dates in other places

Other crops in California

Last reviewed: November 2026. Source: USDA NASS, Field Crops Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates (October 2010 edition, copy hosted by Cornell University Mann Library). Dates are the usual start and end of the period when about 5% to 95% of the crop is planted or harvested, from long-run state progress data. They are historic averages, not a forecast.