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When to Plant Microgreens in Tehama County, CA

Microgreens are young seedlings of vegetables and herbs harvested at the cotyledon or first true leaf stage. They pack concentrated flavors and nutrients in a tiny package.

Tehama County, California is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 78 feet, Tehama County receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Microgreens to ensure they mature before fall.

Tehama County, CA (Zone 8b) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Tehama County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (235 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Mar 2 – Mar 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (232 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Mar 13 – Apr 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (210 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – May 23

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 878 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Microgreens needs ~161 GDD — county provides 3,070 GDD Excellent fit

Microgreens Planting Timeline โ€” Tehama County, CA

Microgreens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 โ€“ Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 13
Fall Sowing September 19 Sep 19 โ€“ Oct 3
Harvest March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 10

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 2" apart ยท Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
April Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

7โ€“21 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

267 days

Growing Tips for Tehama County

Sow seeds densely on shallow trays of moist growing medium. Cover until germination, then provide light. Harvest with scissors when 1-3 inches tall. Grow year-round indoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Microgreens in Tehama County, CA?

Tehama County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Microgreens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tehama County, CA?

Tehama County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tehama County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Tehama County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.