Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Novato, CA
Plan your garden around Novato, CA's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
January 11
Safe Feb 25
Typical Jan 11
Risky Dec 14
First Fall Frost
December 21
Safe Dec 2
Typical Dec 21
Risky Feb 9
Growing Season
349 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b
Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.
Data: NOAA station SAN RAFAEL CIVIC CTR, CA US, 12.5 km away.
—
days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov 16 – Nov 30 | — | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Nov 2 – Nov 16 | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | 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 | Nov 2 – Nov 16 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Dec 14 – Dec 21 | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | 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 21 – Dec 28 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | 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 14 – Dec 21 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | 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 18 – Feb 1 | — | — | 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 14 – Dec 21 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 14 – Dec 21 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | — | — | 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 | — | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Nov 30 – Dec 14 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | — | Oct 26 – Nov 9 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Nov 30 – Dec 14 | — | Oct 26 – Nov 9 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | — | Oct 12 – Oct 26 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | — | Nov 9 – Nov 16 | 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 21 – Jan 4 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Dec 21 – Dec 28 | Oct 19 – Oct 26 | 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 23 – Dec 7 | — | Dec 28 – Jan 4 | Oct 12 – Oct 19 | 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 23 – Dec 7 | — | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Oct 12 – Oct 26 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | 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 14 – Dec 28 | — | Sep 28 – Oct 12 | 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 14 – Dec 28 | — | Oct 12 – Oct 26 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Nov 9 – Nov 23 | 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 14 – Dec 28 | — | Oct 12 – Oct 26 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Nov 2 – Nov 16 | — | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | — | 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 23 – Dec 7 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | — | — | 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 25 – Feb 8 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | — | 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. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Nov 30 – Dec 7 | — | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | 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 21 – Jan 4 | — | Oct 26 – Nov 9 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Nov 16 – Nov 30 | — | Dec 28 – Jan 4 | — | 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 21 – Jan 4 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Nov 16 – Nov 30 | — | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Nov 16 – Nov 30 | — | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Dec 14 – Dec 21 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | 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 30 – Dec 14 | — | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Dec 14 – Dec 21 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | 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 Novato, CA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the SAN RAFAEL CIVIC CTR, CA US station, the last spring frost in Novato typically falls around January 11. A cautious gardener might wait until February 25 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 14 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Novato, CA in fall?
The first fall frost in Novato typically arrives around December 21. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as December 2; in milder years it can hold off until February 9.
How long is the growing season in Novato, CA?
Novato's average frost-free growing season is about 349 days, running from the typical last spring frost (January 11) to the typical first fall frost (December 21).
What USDA hardiness zone is Novato, CA in?
Novato, CA is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b, 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.