Zone 10b Frost Dates & Planting Calendar
USDA Zone 10b has average coldest-winter lows of 35°F to 40°F. Across the 175 cities we track in this zone, the typical last spring frost is around January 13 and the typical first fall frost around January 13.
Winter low 35°F to 40°F
Typical last frost January 13
Typical first frost January 13
Cities 175
Hardiness zones describe winter cold, not frost timing (why that matters). For dates specific to your town, look up your ZIP code.
Zone 10b 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 18 – Dec 2 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | — | 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 16 – Dec 30 | — | 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 16 – Dec 30 | — | 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 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 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 25 – Dec 9 | — | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | 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 25 – Dec 9 | — | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | 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 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 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 16 – Dec 30 | — | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 9 – Dec 23 | — | 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 16 – Dec 30 | — | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | 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 16 – Dec 30 | 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 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 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.
Cities in Zone 10b
| City | Last frost | First frost |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| San Francisco, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Long Beach, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Oakland, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Anaheim, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Santa Ana, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Chula Vista, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| St. Petersburg, FL | Jan 17 | Jan 15 |
| Irvine, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Oxnard, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Huntington Beach, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Garden Grove, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Cape Coral, FL | Jan 16 | Jan 13 |
| Torrance, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Orange, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Fullerton, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Coral Springs, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Thousand Oaks, CA | Dec 31 | Dec 28 |
| East Los Angeles, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| West Palm Beach, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| El Monte, CA | Jan 4 | Jan 2 |
| Downey, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Costa Mesa, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Inglewood, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Norwalk, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Compton, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Mission Viejo, CA | Jan 6 | Jan 2 |
| South Gate, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Carson, CA | Jan 9 | Jan 5 |
| Plantation, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Santa Barbara, CA | Jan 13 | Jan 6 |
| Hawthorne, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Whittier, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Newport Beach, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| San Pedro, CA | Jan 9 | Jan 5 |
| Lake Forest, CA | Jan 5 | Dec 25 |
| Homestead, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Bellflower, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Fort Myers, FL | Jan 16 | Jan 13 |
States with Zone 10b cities
- California (115)
- Florida (60)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the temperature range for Zone 10b?
Zone 10b is defined by an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 35°F to 40°F (USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map).
When is the last frost in Zone 10b?
Typically around January 13, 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 10b?
Typically around January 13 across the cities we track in Zone 10b.