Frost Dates for Santa Barbara, CA
In Santa Barbara, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 13 and the average first fall frost around Jan 6, 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 Santa Barbara, CA weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 16 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 12 |
| 20% | Feb 4 | Dec 19 |
| 30% | Jan 27 | Dec 29 |
| 40% | Jan 17 | Jan 3 |
| 50% | Jan 13 | Jan 6 |
| 60% | Jan 7 | Jan 14 |
| 70% | Dec 31 | Jan 22 |
| 80% | Dec 20 | Feb 1 |
| 90% | Dec 12 | 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 11 | Dec 30 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 13 | Jan 6 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | — | — |
Planting calendar for Santa Barbara
Transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Transplant Jan 27 – Feb 10
Transplant Jan 27 – Feb 10
Transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Sow or transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Sow or transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Sow or transplant Jan 27 – Feb 10
Sow or transplant Dec 16 – Dec 30
Fall sowing Nov 11 – Dec 9
Fall sowing Nov 11 – Dec 2
Fall sowing Oct 28 – Nov 11
Sow or transplant Dec 16 – Dec 30
Fall sowing Oct 28 – Nov 25
Transplant Dec 30 – Jan 13
Fall sowing Oct 14 – Oct 28
Transplant Dec 23 – Jan 6
Fall sowing Oct 14 – Oct 28
Fall sowing Oct 14 – Oct 28
Fall sowing Nov 25 – Dec 16
Fall sowing Oct 28 – Nov 11
Plant Dec 16 – Dec 30
Based on the average last frost (Jan 13) and first frost (Jan 6). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.