Frost Dates for Los Angeles, CA
In Los Angeles, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 2 and the average first fall frost around Dec 26, for a growing season of about 364 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Jan 31, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Burbank Valley Pump Plt, CA weather station, 12 miles away, elevation 655 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 31 | Dec 5 |
| 20% | Jan 17 | Dec 11 |
| 30% | Jan 10 | Dec 16 |
| 40% | Jan 5 | Dec 21 |
| 50% | Jan 2 | Dec 26 |
| 60% | Dec 30 | Dec 30 |
| 70% | Dec 25 | Jan 1 |
| 80% | Dec 19 | Jan 6 |
| 90% | Dec 11 | Jan 18 |
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 12 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 2 | Dec 26 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | — | — |
Planting calendar for Los Angeles
Transplant Jan 9 – Jan 23
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Transplant Jan 9 – Jan 23
Sow or transplant Jan 9 – Jan 23
Sow or transplant Jan 9 – Jan 23
Sow or transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sow or transplant Dec 5 – Dec 19
Fall sowing Oct 31 – Nov 28
Fall sowing Oct 31 – Nov 21
Fall sowing Oct 17 – Oct 31
Sow or transplant Dec 5 – Dec 19
Fall sowing Oct 17 – Nov 14
Transplant Dec 19 – Jan 2
Fall sowing Oct 3 – Oct 17
Transplant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Fall sowing Oct 3 – Oct 17
Fall sowing Oct 3 – Oct 17
Fall sowing Nov 14 – Dec 5
Fall sowing Oct 17 – Oct 31
Plant Dec 5 – Dec 19
Based on the average last frost (Jan 2) and first frost (Dec 26). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.