Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Santa Cruz, CA
Plan your garden around Santa Cruz, 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 29
Safe Feb 28
Typical Jan 29
Risky Dec 25
First Fall Frost
December 13
Safe Nov 23
Typical Dec 13
Risky Jan 22
Growing Season
323 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 SANTA CRUZ, CA US, 3.2 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 | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 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 | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 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 | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | — | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Jan 1 – Jan 8 | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Feb 5 – Feb 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 | Jan 8 – Jan 15 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Feb 5 – Feb 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 | Jan 1 – Jan 8 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Feb 5 – Feb 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 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 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 | Jan 1 – Jan 8 | — | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 1 – Jan 8 | — | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 29 – Feb 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 | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Oct 18 – Nov 1 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | — | Oct 18 – Nov 1 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Oct 4 – Oct 18 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Nov 1 – Nov 8 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | — | Jan 8 – Jan 15 | Oct 11 – Oct 18 | 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 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | — | Jan 15 – Jan 22 | Oct 4 – Oct 11 | 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 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | — | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | — | Jan 8 – Jan 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 | — | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Sep 20 – Oct 4 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Oct 4 – Oct 18 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | — | Nov 1 – Nov 15 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Oct 4 – Oct 18 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | — | Jan 1 – Jan 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 15 – Nov 29 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Jan 1 – Jan 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 | — | — | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Jan 1 – Jan 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. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Dec 18 – Dec 25 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 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 | — | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | Oct 18 – Nov 1 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | — | Jan 15 – Jan 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 | — | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | — | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | — | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | — | 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 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Jan 1 – Jan 8 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Feb 5 – Feb 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 | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Jan 1 – Jan 8 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 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 Santa Cruz, CA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the SANTA CRUZ, CA US station, the last spring frost in Santa Cruz typically falls around January 29. A cautious gardener might wait until February 28 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 25 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Santa Cruz, CA in fall?
The first fall frost in Santa Cruz typically arrives around December 13. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 23; in milder years it can hold off until January 22.
How long is the growing season in Santa Cruz, CA?
Santa Cruz's average frost-free growing season is about 323 days, running from the typical last spring frost (January 29) to the typical first fall frost (December 13).
What USDA hardiness zone is Santa Cruz, CA in?
Santa Cruz, 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.