Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Burlingame, CA

The average first fall frost in Burlingame, CA is December 26, and the average last spring frost is December 29, giving a growing season of about 365 days.

Plan your garden around Burlingame, CA's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.

Last Spring Frost

December 29

Safe Jan 13 Typical Dec 29 Risky Dec 11

First Fall Frost

December 26

Safe Dec 11 Typical Dec 26 Risky Jan 13

Growing Season

365 days

Typical last frost to typical first frost.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Zone 10a

Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.

Data: NOAA station SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, 4 km away.

— days until the typical last spring frost

How Burlingame Compares

Burlingame's typical last spring frost (Dec 29) comes later than in 95% of the 427 California cities we track.
Its 365-day growing season is 29 days longer than the California median of 336 days.
Burlingame shares its NOAA weather station with San Mateo (4 km away), so their typical frost dates are the same.
September is the warmest month (average high 75°F) and January the coldest (average low 45°F).

Monthly Temperatures

Avg. high Avg. temp Avg. low

Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Nov 3 – Nov 17	—	Jan 5 – Jan 12	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Oct 20 – Nov 3	—	Jan 5 – Jan 19	—	60–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant	Oct 20 – Nov 3	—	Jan 12 – Jan 19	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Dec 1 – Dec 8	Jan 5 – Jan 12	Jan 5 – Jan 12	—	50–65 days	Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini	Dec 8 – Dec 15	Jan 5 – Jan 19	Jan 5 – Jan 12	—	45–55 days	Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash	Dec 1 – Dec 8	Jan 5 – Jan 19	Jan 5 – Jan 12	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	Jan 5 – Jan 19	—	—	90–120 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon	Dec 1 – Dec 8	—	Jan 12 – Jan 19	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Dec 1 – Dec 8	—	Jan 12 – Jan 19	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Dec 29 – Jan 12	—	—	60–100 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean	—	Dec 29 – Jan 12	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Nov 17 – Dec 1	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Dec 1 – Dec 15	—	Oct 31 – Nov 14	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Nov 17 – Dec 1	—	Oct 31 – Nov 14	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Dec 1 – Dec 15	—	Oct 17 – Oct 31	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Dec 1 – Dec 15	—	Nov 14 – Nov 21	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Dec 8 – Dec 22	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Nov 10 – Nov 24	—	Dec 8 – Dec 15	Oct 24 – Oct 31	55–80 days	Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower	Nov 10 – Nov 24	—	Dec 15 – Dec 22	Oct 17 – Oct 24	55–85 days	Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage	Nov 10 – Nov 24	—	Dec 1 – Dec 15	Oct 17 – Oct 31	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Nov 10 – Nov 24	—	Dec 8 – Dec 22	—	90–110 days	Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot	—	Dec 1 – Dec 15	—	Oct 3 – Oct 17	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Dec 1 – Dec 15	—	Oct 17 – Oct 31	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Nov 24 – Dec 8	—	Nov 14 – Nov 28	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Dec 1 – Dec 15	—	Oct 17 – Oct 31	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Oct 20 – Nov 3	—	Dec 1 – Dec 15	—	90–120 days	Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic	—	—	—	Nov 28 – Dec 12	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Dec 1 – Dec 15	—	—	70–120 days	Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato	—	—	Jan 12 – Jan 26	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Dec 1 – Dec 15	—	730–1095 days	Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.

Herbs
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Basil	Nov 17 – Nov 24	—	Jan 5 – Jan 12	—	50–70 days	Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro	—	Dec 8 – Dec 22	—	Oct 31 – Nov 14	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Nov 3 – Nov 17	—	Dec 15 – Dec 22	—	70–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill	—	Dec 8 – Dec 22	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Nov 3 – Nov 17	—	Dec 29 – Jan 5	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Nov 3 – Nov 17	—	Dec 29 – Jan 5	—	85–95 days	Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Flowers
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Sunflower	—	Jan 5 – Jan 19	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Dec 1 – Dec 8	Jan 5 – Jan 19	Jan 5 – Jan 12	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Nov 17 – Dec 1	—	Jan 5 – Jan 12	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Dec 1 – Dec 8	Jan 5 – Jan 19	Jan 5 – Jan 12	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	Jan 5 – Jan 19	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	Jan 5 – Jan 19	—	90–120 days	Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last frost in Burlingame, CA?

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US station, the last spring frost in Burlingame typically falls around December 29. A cautious gardener might wait until January 13 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 11 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.

When is the first frost in Burlingame, CA in fall?

The first fall frost in Burlingame typically arrives around December 26. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as December 11; in milder years it can hold off until January 13.

How long is the growing season in Burlingame, CA?

Burlingame's average frost-free growing season is about 365 days, running from the typical last spring frost (December 29) to the typical first fall frost (December 26).

What USDA hardiness zone is Burlingame, CA in?

Burlingame, CA is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.