Frost Dates for Burlingame, CA

In Burlingame, CA, the average last spring frost is around Dec 29 and the average first fall frost around Dec 26, for a growing season of about 365 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Jan 13, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostDec 2950% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantJan 13only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostDec 2650% chance of frost before this date
Growing season365 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the San Francisco Intl. Airport, CA weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 8 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.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Jan 13Dec 11
20%Jan 7Dec 17
30%Jan 3Dec 21
40%Dec 31Dec 24
50%Dec 29Dec 26
60%Dec 26Dec 30
70%Dec 23Jan 1
80%Dec 17Jan 6
90%Dec 11Jan 13

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.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Jan 8Dec 24
Frost / freeze (32°F)Dec 29Dec 26
Hard freeze (28°F)——

Planting calendar for Burlingame

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Nov 3 – Nov 17
Transplant Jan 5 – Jan 19
Peppers
Indoors Oct 20 – Nov 3
Transplant Jan 12 – Jan 26
Eggplant
Indoors Oct 20 – Nov 3
Transplant Jan 12 – Jan 26
Basil
Indoors Nov 17 – Dec 1
Transplant Jan 5 – Jan 19
Cucumbers
Indoors Dec 1 – Dec 8
Sow or transplant Jan 5 – Jan 19
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Dec 1 – Dec 8
Sow or transplant Jan 5 – Jan 19
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Jan 5 – Jan 19
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Dec 1 – Dec 8
Sow or transplant Jan 12 – Jan 26
Green beans
Sow Jan 5 – Jan 19
Sweet corn
Sow Jan 5 – Jan 19
Lettuce
Indoors Nov 17 – Dec 1
Sow or transplant Dec 1 – Dec 15
Fall sowing Oct 31 – Nov 28
Spinach
Sow Nov 17 – Dec 8
Fall sowing Oct 31 – Nov 21
Peas
Sow Nov 17 – Dec 1
Fall sowing Oct 17 – Oct 31
Kale
Indoors Nov 3 – Nov 17
Sow or transplant Dec 1 – Dec 15
Fall sowing Oct 17 – Nov 14
Broccoli
Indoors Nov 3 – Nov 17
Transplant Dec 15 – Dec 29
Fall sowing Oct 3 – Oct 17
Cabbage
Indoors Nov 3 – Nov 17
Transplant Dec 8 – Dec 22
Fall sowing Oct 3 – Oct 17
Carrots
Sow Dec 8 – Dec 29
Fall sowing Oct 3 – Oct 17
Radishes
Sow Nov 24 – Dec 15
Fall sowing Nov 14 – Dec 5
Beets
Sow Dec 8 – Dec 29
Fall sowing Oct 17 – Oct 31
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Oct 6 – Oct 20
Plant Dec 1 – Dec 15
Potatoes
Plant Dec 8 – Dec 22
Garlic
Plant Dec 26 – Jan 23

Based on the average last frost (Dec 29) and first frost (Dec 26). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

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