Frost Dates for Berkeley, CA
In Berkeley, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 3 and the average first fall frost around Jan 1, for a growing season of about 365 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Feb 14, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Berkeley, CA weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 310 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Feb 14 | Dec 10 |
| 20% | Jan 21 | Dec 17 |
| 30% | Jan 12 | Dec 25 |
| 40% | Jan 6 | Dec 28 |
| 50% | Jan 3 | Jan 1 |
| 60% | Dec 31 | Jan 4 |
| 70% | Dec 28 | Jan 7 |
| 80% | Dec 23 | Jan 14 |
| 90% | Dec 14 | Jan 29 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Feb 5 | Dec 19 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 3 | Jan 1 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | — | — |
Planting calendar for Berkeley
Transplant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Transplant Jan 17 – Jan 31
Transplant Jan 17 – Jan 31
Transplant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Sow or transplant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Sow or transplant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Sow or transplant Jan 17 – Jan 31
Sow or transplant Dec 6 – Dec 20
Fall sowing Nov 6 – Dec 4
Fall sowing Nov 6 – Nov 27
Fall sowing Oct 23 – Nov 6
Sow or transplant Dec 6 – Dec 20
Fall sowing Oct 23 – Nov 20
Transplant Dec 20 – Jan 3
Fall sowing Oct 9 – Oct 23
Transplant Dec 13 – Dec 27
Fall sowing Oct 9 – Oct 23
Fall sowing Oct 9 – Oct 23
Fall sowing Nov 20 – Dec 11
Fall sowing Oct 23 – Nov 6
Plant Dec 6 – Dec 20
Based on the average last frost (Jan 3) and first frost (Jan 1). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.