Frost Dates for Cerritos, CA
In Cerritos, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 4 and the average first fall frost around Jan 2, for a growing season of about 365 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Jan 28, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the San Gabriel Fire Dept, CA weather station, 15 miles away, elevation 363 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% | Jan 28 | Dec 18 |
| 20% | Jan 22 | Dec 25 |
| 30% | Jan 13 | Dec 28 |
| 40% | Jan 8 | Dec 31 |
| 50% | Jan 4 | Jan 2 |
| 60% | Jan 1 | Jan 5 |
| 70% | Dec 30 | Jan 10 |
| 80% | Dec 27 | Jan 20 |
| 90% | Dec 19 | Jan 26 |
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) | Jan 17 | Dec 26 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 4 | Jan 2 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | — | — |
Planting calendar for Cerritos
Transplant Jan 11 – Jan 25
Transplant Jan 18 – Feb 1
Transplant Jan 18 – Feb 1
Transplant Jan 11 – Jan 25
Sow or transplant Jan 11 – Jan 25
Sow or transplant Jan 11 – Jan 25
Sow or transplant Jan 18 – Feb 1
Sow or transplant Dec 7 – Dec 21
Fall sowing Nov 7 – Dec 5
Fall sowing Nov 7 – Nov 28
Fall sowing Oct 24 – Nov 7
Sow or transplant Dec 7 – Dec 21
Fall sowing Oct 24 – Nov 21
Transplant Dec 21 – Jan 4
Fall sowing Oct 10 – Oct 24
Transplant Dec 14 – Dec 28
Fall sowing Oct 10 – Oct 24
Fall sowing Oct 10 – Oct 24
Fall sowing Nov 21 – Dec 12
Fall sowing Oct 24 – Nov 7
Plant Dec 7 – Dec 21
Based on the average last frost (Jan 4) and first frost (Jan 2). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.