Frost Dates for Santa Cruz, CA
In Santa Cruz, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 29 and the average first fall frost around Dec 13, for a growing season of about 323 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Feb 28, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Santa Cruz, CA weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 70 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 28 | Nov 23 |
| 20% | Feb 19 | Nov 30 |
| 30% | Feb 11 | Dec 4 |
| 40% | Feb 3 | Dec 8 |
| 50% | Jan 29 | Dec 13 |
| 60% | Jan 19 | Dec 19 |
| 70% | Jan 10 | Dec 29 |
| 80% | Jan 2 | Jan 5 |
| 90% | Dec 25 | Jan 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) | Mar 14 | Nov 24 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 29 | Dec 13 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 3 | Dec 27 |
Planting calendar for Santa Cruz
Transplant Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant Feb 5 – Feb 19
Sow or transplant Feb 5 – Feb 19
Sow or transplant Feb 5 – Feb 19
Sow or transplant Feb 12 – Feb 26
Sow or transplant Jan 1 – Jan 15
Fall sowing Oct 18 – Nov 15
Fall sowing Oct 18 – Nov 8
Fall sowing Oct 4 – Oct 18
Sow or transplant Jan 1 – Jan 15
Fall sowing Oct 4 – Nov 1
Transplant Jan 15 – Jan 29
Fall sowing Sep 20 – Oct 4
Transplant Jan 8 – Jan 22
Fall sowing Sep 20 – Oct 4
Fall sowing Sep 20 – Oct 4
Fall sowing Nov 1 – Nov 22
Fall sowing Oct 4 – Oct 18
Plant Jan 1 – Jan 15
Based on the average last frost (Jan 29) and first frost (Dec 13). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.