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Plant Nurseries & Garden Centers in Santa Cruz, CA

Where to buy plants here

Where to buy plants in Santa Cruz, CA: big-box vs. independent

Santa Cruz, CA has 16 independent nurseries in this directory's own classification. Independent, big-box, and grower are separate business-structure categories on file for each listing, not a ranking of one over another.

Independent, named

Plus 13 more in the listings below.

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness zone
9b
Avg. minimum winter temp
25°F
Median frost dates
First ~Dec 13 · Last ~Jan 29

Frost dates: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, nearest station (SANTA CRUZ, CA US, 4.2 km away) .

What's plantable right now

Based on this ZIP's median frost dates, last frost ~Jan 29, first frost ~Dec 13.

Start indoors now

  • Artichoke · 120–130 days to maturity

Plant for fall now

  • Beets · 55–65 days to maturity
  • Broccoli · 65–80 days to maturity
  • Brussels Sprouts · 40–50 days to maturity
  • Cabbage · 70–85 days to maturity
  • Collards · 32–72 days to maturity
  • Kale · 50–70 days to maturity
  • Kohlrabi · 50–65 days to maturity
  • Mustard Greens · 25–50 days to maturity
  • Radish · 20–35 days to maturity
  • Spinach · 40–60 days to maturity
  • Turnip · 50–60 days to maturity

Planting-window sources: , Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center , Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center , Colorado State University Extension , University of Missouri Extension , NC State Extension , Purdue Extension (Dept. of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture) , Utah State University Cooperative Extension , Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University .

Planting windows and crop timing here are computed from USDA/NOAA climate data and the university extension sources cited below, not a site visit or soil test. Treat this as a starting point: local conditions vary, and a local nursery or extension office can advise on your exact site. See our full Disclaimer.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Independent

Botanic and Luxe

4.8 ★ (48 Google reviews) as of 2026-08-06

110 Cooper St Ste 100F, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Licence: not checked, no CA registry held

Call Directions Website
Independent

Capitola Nursery

4.6 ★ (8 Google reviews) as of 2026-08-06

From 41st. Stay on Gross Rd. to the end, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Licence: not checked, no CA registry held

Call Directions
Independent

Dig Gardens

4.6 ★ (140 Google reviews) as of 2026-08-06

420 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Licence: not checked, no CA registry held

Call Directions Website

Planting calendar

The full year, at a glance

Number of crops in our table with an open planting window each month, computed from this ZIP's median frost dates.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Start indoors 6 – – – – – – – – 1 – 12
Direct-sow 18 9 2 1 1 1 – – – – – –
Transplant 14 10 – – – – – – – – – –
Fall planting – – – – – – – – – – 11 –

Keep looking nearby

Nurseries near Santa Cruz

Related guides

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