Frost Dates for Long Beach, CA
In Long Beach, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 9 and the average first fall frost around Jan 5, for a growing season of about 365 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Feb 24, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Torrance Airport, CA weather station, 10 miles away, elevation 90 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 24 | Dec 3 |
| 20% | Feb 16 | Dec 10 |
| 30% | Jan 27 | Dec 16 |
| 40% | Jan 20 | Dec 27 |
| 50% | Jan 9 | Jan 5 |
| 60% | Jan 1 | Jan 17 |
| 70% | Dec 20 | Jan 25 |
| 80% | Dec 12 | Feb 12 |
| 90% | Dec 4 | Feb 22 |
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 31 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 9 | Jan 5 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | — | — |
Planting calendar for Long Beach
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sow or transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sow or transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sow or transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Sow or transplant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Fall sowing Nov 10 – Dec 8
Fall sowing Nov 10 – Dec 1
Fall sowing Oct 27 – Nov 10
Sow or transplant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Fall sowing Oct 27 – Nov 24
Transplant Dec 26 – Jan 9
Fall sowing Oct 13 – Oct 27
Transplant Dec 19 – Jan 2
Fall sowing Oct 13 – Oct 27
Fall sowing Oct 13 – Oct 27
Fall sowing Nov 24 – Dec 15
Fall sowing Oct 27 – Nov 10
Plant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Based on the average last frost (Jan 9) and first frost (Jan 5). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.