Zone 12b Frost Dates & Planting Calendar
USDA Zone 12b has average coldest-winter lows of 55°F to 60°F. Cities in this zone are essentially frost-free, so planting is timed around heat and rainfall rather than frost.
Winter low 55°F to 60°F
Cities 40
Hardiness zones describe winter cold, not frost timing (why that matters). For dates specific to your town, look up your ZIP code.
Zone 12b Planting Calendar
| Crop | Planting notes | Days to maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | This location is frost-free — grow tomato nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 60–85 days |
| Pepper | This location is frost-free — grow pepper nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 60–90 days |
| Eggplant | This location is frost-free — grow eggplant nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 65–85 days |
| Cucumber | This location is frost-free — grow cucumber nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 50–65 days |
| Zucchini | This location is frost-free — grow zucchini nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 45–55 days |
| Winter Squash | This location is frost-free — grow winter squash nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 80–110 days |
| Pumpkin | This location is frost-free — grow pumpkin nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 90–120 days |
| Watermelon | This location is frost-free — grow watermelon nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 70–90 days |
| Cantaloupe | This location is frost-free — grow cantaloupe nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 70–90 days |
| Corn | This location is frost-free — grow corn nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 60–100 days |
| Green Bean | This location is frost-free — grow green bean nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 50–65 days |
| Pea | This location is frost-free — pea can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 55–70 days |
| Lettuce | This location is frost-free — lettuce can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 45–60 days |
| Spinach | This location is frost-free — spinach can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 40–50 days |
| Kale | This location is frost-free — kale can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 50–65 days |
| Arugula | This location is frost-free — arugula can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 30–40 days |
| Swiss Chard | This location is frost-free — swiss chard can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 50–60 days |
| Broccoli | This location is frost-free — broccoli can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 55–80 days |
| Cauliflower | This location is frost-free — cauliflower can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 55–85 days |
| Cabbage | This location is frost-free — cabbage can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 60–100 days |
| Brussels Sprouts | This location is frost-free — brussels sprouts can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 90–110 days |
| Carrot | This location is frost-free — carrot can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 60–80 days |
| Beet | This location is frost-free — beet can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 50–65 days |
| Radish | This location is frost-free — radish can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 22–30 days |
| Turnip | This location is frost-free — turnip can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 40–60 days |
| Onion | This location is frost-free — onion can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 90–120 days |
| Garlic | This location is frost-free — garlic can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 240–270 days |
| Potato | This location is frost-free — potato can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 70–120 days |
| Sweet Potato | This location is frost-free — grow sweet potato nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 90–120 days |
| Asparagus | This location is frost-free — asparagus can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 730–1095 days |
| Crop | Planting notes | Days to maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | This location is frost-free — grow basil nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 50–70 days |
| Cilantro | This location is frost-free — cilantro can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 45–70 days |
| Parsley | This location is frost-free — parsley can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 70–90 days |
| Dill | This location is frost-free — dill can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 40–60 days |
| Oregano | This location is frost-free — oregano can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 80–90 days |
| Thyme | This location is frost-free — thyme can typically be planted in fall/winter/spring; avoid the hottest mid-summer stretch. | 85–95 days |
| Crop | Planting notes | Days to maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | This location is frost-free — grow sunflower nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 70–100 days |
| Zinnia | This location is frost-free — grow zinnia nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 60–70 days |
| Marigold | This location is frost-free — grow marigold nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 45–60 days |
| Cosmos | This location is frost-free — grow cosmos nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 60–90 days |
| Nasturtium | This location is frost-free — grow nasturtium nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 50–65 days |
| Dahlia | This location is frost-free — grow dahlia nearly year-round; time planting around the summer heat and rainy/dry season rather than frost. | 90–120 days |
Dates are relative windows based on university extension guidelines, adapted for a frost-free climate — not a guarantee.
Cities in Zone 12b
| City | Last frost | First frost |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| East Honolulu, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kailua, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| 'Ewa Gentry-West Loch, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kaneohe, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Makiki / Lower Punchbowl / Tantalus, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Hawai'i Kai, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kahului, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Mo'ili'ili, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Manoa, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| 'Ewa Gentry, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Makakilo-Makaiwa Hills-Kunia, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kihei, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kaimuki, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kalihi Valley, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Waikiki, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Diamond Head / Kapahulu / Saint Louis Heights, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Niu Valley, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Ala Moana - Kaka'ako, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Makakilo, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| 'Ewa Beach, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kuliouou - Kalani Iki, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Koolauloa, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kapolei Villages, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Makakilo City, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Wailuku, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kapolei, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Waianae, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Nanakuli, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Palolo, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kailua-Kona, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Lahaina, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kaka'ako, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kalaoa, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Ma'ili, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Moanalua, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Makaha-Ka'ena, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
States with Zone 12b cities
- Hawaii (40)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the temperature range for Zone 12b?
Zone 12b is defined by an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 55°F to 60°F (USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map).