Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Santa Barbara, CA
Plan your garden around Santa Barbara, 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 13
Safe Feb 24
Typical Jan 13
Risky Dec 12
First Fall Frost
January 6
Safe Dec 12
Typical Jan 6
Risky Feb 22
Growing Season
365 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b
Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.
Data: NOAA station SANTA BARBARA, CA US, 1.3 km away.
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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 18 – Dec 2 | — | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | — | 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 4 – Nov 18 | — | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | — | 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 4 – Nov 18 | — | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Dec 16 – Dec 23 | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | — | 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 23 – Dec 30 | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | — | 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 16 – Dec 23 | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | — | 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 20 – Feb 3 | — | — | 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 16 – Dec 23 | — | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 16 – Dec 23 | — | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | — | — | 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 13 – Jan 27 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | — | Nov 11 – Nov 25 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | — | Nov 11 – Nov 25 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | — | Oct 28 – Nov 11 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | — | Nov 25 – Dec 2 | 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 23 – Jan 6 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Nov 25 – Dec 9 | — | Dec 23 – Dec 30 | Nov 4 – Nov 11 | 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 25 – Dec 9 | — | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | Oct 28 – Nov 4 | 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 25 – Dec 9 | — | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Oct 28 – Nov 11 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Nov 25 – Dec 9 | — | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | — | 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 16 – Dec 30 | — | Oct 14 – Oct 28 | 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 16 – Dec 30 | — | Oct 28 – Nov 11 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 9 – Dec 23 | — | Nov 25 – Dec 9 | 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 16 – Dec 30 | — | Oct 28 – Nov 11 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | — | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | — | 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 | — | — | — | Dec 9 – Dec 23 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | — | — | 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 27 – Feb 10 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | — | 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 | Dec 2 – Dec 9 | — | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | — | 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 23 – Jan 6 | — | Nov 11 – Nov 25 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | — | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | — | 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 23 – Jan 6 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | — | Jan 13 – Jan 20 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | — | Jan 13 – Jan 20 | — | 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 20 – Feb 3 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Dec 16 – Dec 23 | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | — | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Dec 16 – Dec 23 | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | — | 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 Santa Barbara, CA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the SANTA BARBARA, CA US station, the last spring frost in Santa Barbara typically falls around January 13. A cautious gardener might wait until February 24 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 12 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Santa Barbara, CA in fall?
The first fall frost in Santa Barbara typically arrives around January 6. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as December 12; in milder years it can hold off until February 22.
How long is the growing season in Santa Barbara, CA?
Santa Barbara's average frost-free growing season is about 365 days, running from the typical last spring frost (January 13) to the typical first fall frost (January 6).
What USDA hardiness zone is Santa Barbara, CA in?
Santa Barbara, CA is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10b, 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.