Santa Cruz County Plant Guides by Microclimate
In Santa Cruz County the climate changes from one street to the next. A tomato that struggles in the coastal fog ripens beautifully a few miles inland. These guides tell you how each crop actually grows in your specific microclimate, with honest verdicts on what thrives, what is a stretch, and how to make it work.
Find your microclimate below, then pick the crop you want to grow. New to microclimates? Start with our Santa Cruz microclimates explainer.
The four Santa Cruz County microclimates
- Coastal Fog Belt: Santa Cruz, Capitola, the Aptos coast, Davenport. Cool foggy summers, mild wet winters, long shoulder seasons. More on the coast
- The Banana Belt: the warm sunny pockets above and away from the fog. The county's goldilocks zone for heat-loving crops. More on the Banana Belt
- San Lorenzo Valley and Redwoods: Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek. Redwood shade, acidic soil, canyon frost pockets, sunny ridges. More on the SLV
- Pajaro Valley (Watsonville): Watsonville, Corralitos, south county. The warmest microclimate, rich ag soil, fog that burns off sooner. More on the Pajaro Valley
Roma Tomato
A paste tomato that wants heat and time. See also our roundup, best tomatoes by microclimate.
- Roma Tomato in the Coastal Fog Belt
- Roma Tomato in the Banana Belt
- Roma Tomato in the San Lorenzo Valley
Sungold Cherry Tomato
A sweet cherry tomato that ripens on less heat, so it does better in the fog than paste types.
- Sungold Cherry Tomato in the Coastal Fog Belt
- Sungold Cherry Tomato in the Banana Belt
- Sungold Cherry Tomato in the San Lorenzo Valley
Jalapeno Pepper
A warm-season heat lover. The fog gives it trouble; the inland pockets love it.
Sugar Snap Pea
A cool-season crop that loves our mild coast. Inland, it is all about timing.
- Sugar Snap Pea in the Coastal Fog Belt
- Sugar Snap Pea in the Banana Belt
- Sugar Snap Pea in the Pajaro Valley
Bush Bean
A quick warm-season crop. Cold spring soil, not frost, is the thing to manage.
Romaine Lettuce
A cool-season green that bolts in heat, so the fog belt is a hero and the redwood shade is an asset.
- Romaine Lettuce in the Coastal Fog Belt
- Romaine Lettuce in the Banana Belt
- Romaine Lettuce in the San Lorenzo Valley
Zucchini
Forgiving but warm-season. Powdery mildew and cool-morning pollination are the coastal hurdles.
Meyer Lemon
A tender citrus. Cold pockets and shade are what change the answer. See also best citrus by microclimate.
- Meyer Lemon in the Coastal Fog Belt
- Meyer Lemon in the Banana Belt
- Meyer Lemon in the San Lorenzo Valley
Blueberry (Southern Highbush)
The redwood country is some of the best blueberry ground in the state. See also best blueberry varieties for Santa Cruz.
- Southern Highbush Blueberry in the San Lorenzo Valley
- Southern Highbush Blueberry in the Coastal Fog Belt
- Southern Highbush Blueberry in the Pajaro Valley
Strawberry (Everbearing)
The signature Santa Cruz County crop. Classic coastal ground, and the Pajaro Valley is a world strawberry capital.
- Everbearing Strawberry in the Coastal Fog Belt
- Everbearing Strawberry in the Banana Belt
- Everbearing Strawberry in the Pajaro Valley
More crops and microclimates are on the way. For a head start on what to plant and when, grab the free Garden Toolkit.
