Zone 10a Frost Dates & Planting Calendar
USDA Zone 10a has average coldest-winter lows of 30°F to 35°F. Across the 320 cities we track in this zone, the typical last spring frost is around January 17 and the typical first fall frost around January 13.
Winter low 30°F to 35°F
Typical last frost January 17
Typical first frost January 13
Cities 320
Hardiness zones describe winter cold, not frost timing (why that matters). For dates specific to your town, look up your ZIP code.
Zone 10a Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | — | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | — | 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 8 – Nov 22 | — | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | — | 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 8 – Nov 22 | — | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Dec 20 – Dec 27 | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | — | 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 27 – Jan 3 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | — | 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 20 – Dec 27 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | — | 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 24 – Feb 7 | — | — | 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 20 – Dec 27 | — | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 20 – Dec 27 | — | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | — | 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 17 – Jan 31 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | — | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | — | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | — | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | — | Dec 2 – Dec 9 | 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 27 – Jan 10 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | — | Dec 27 – Jan 3 | Nov 11 – Nov 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 | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | — | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Nov 4 – Nov 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 | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | — | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | — | 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 20 – Jan 3 | — | Oct 21 – Nov 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 | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | — | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | — | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | 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 20 – Jan 3 | — | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | — | 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 16 – Dec 30 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | — | — | 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 31 – Feb 14 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | — | 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 6 – Dec 13 | — | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | — | 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 27 – Jan 10 | — | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | — | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | — | 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 27 – Jan 10 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | — | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | — | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | — | 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 24 – Feb 7 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Dec 20 – Dec 27 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | — | 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 6 – Dec 20 | — | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Dec 20 – Dec 27 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | — | 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.
Cities in Zone 10a
| City | Last frost | First frost |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | Jan 5 | Jan 3 |
| San Jose, CA | Jan 2 | Dec 25 |
| Tampa, FL | Jan 20 | Jan 12 |
| Orlando, FL | Jan 17 | Jan 13 |
| Riverside, CA | Jan 9 | Dec 25 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | Jan 31 | Dec 22 |
| San Bernardino, CA | Jan 27 | Dec 19 |
| Fontana, CA | Jan 10 | Jan 2 |
| Glendale, CA | Jan 2 | Dec 26 |
| Brownsville, TX | Jan 9 | Jan 4 |
| Santa Clarita, CA | Jan 8 | Jan 1 |
| Oceanside, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Jan 4 | Dec 30 |
| Ontario, CA | Jan 4 | Dec 30 |
| Port Saint Lucie, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Corona, CA | Jan 17 | Dec 19 |
| Hayward, CA | Jan 2 | Dec 25 |
| Pomona, CA | Jan 8 | Dec 28 |
| Escondido, CA | Jan 2 | Dec 30 |
| Valencia, CA | Jan 8 | Jan 1 |
| Pasadena, CA | Jan 8 | Jan 7 |
| McAllen, TX | Jan 9 | Jan 1 |
| Van Nuys, CA | Dec 31 | Dec 30 |
| Simi Valley, CA | Jan 24 | Dec 15 |
| Berkeley, CA | Jan 3 | Jan 1 |
| Palm Bay, FL | Jan 16 | Jan 13 |
| Clearwater, FL | Jan 17 | Jan 14 |
| Carlsbad, CA | Jan 23 | Dec 11 |
| Murrieta, CA | Feb 2 | Jan 30 |
| Richmond, CA | Jan 4 | Jan 2 |
| West Covina, CA | Jan 4 | Jan 2 |
| Daly City, CA | Dec 30 | Dec 25 |
| Burbank, CA | Jan 2 | Dec 26 |
| Universal City, CA | Jan 2 | Dec 26 |
| Lakeland, FL | Jan 26 | Jan 9 |
| El Cajon, CA | Jan 6 | Dec 21 |
| San Mateo, CA | Dec 29 | Dec 26 |
| Rialto, CA | Jan 10 | Jan 2 |
| Vista, CA | Jan 30 | Jan 7 |
| Ventura, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
States with Zone 10a cities
- California (179)
- Florida (113)
- Texas (21)
- Arizona (7)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the temperature range for Zone 10a?
Zone 10a is defined by an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 30°F to 35°F (USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map).
When is the last frost in Zone 10a?
Typically around January 17, though it varies by location. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not frost timing, so two places in the same zone can have last frosts weeks apart — check your city's page for local dates.
When is the first frost in Zone 10a?
Typically around January 13 across the cities we track in Zone 10a.