Frost Dates for Vista, CA
In Vista, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 30 and the average first fall frost around Jan 7, for a growing season of about 365 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Mar 16, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Vista, CA weather station, 3 miles away, elevation 430 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% | Mar 16 | Dec 14 |
| 20% | Mar 4 | Dec 19 |
| 30% | Feb 24 | Dec 24 |
| 40% | Feb 15 | Dec 30 |
| 50% | Jan 30 | Jan 7 |
| 60% | Jan 9 | Jan 28 |
| 70% | Dec 31 | Feb 15 |
| 80% | Dec 26 | Feb 27 |
| 90% | Dec 20 | Mar 14 |
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 16 | Dec 25 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 30 | Jan 7 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 30 | Dec 30 |
Planting calendar for Vista
Transplant Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Feb 13 – Feb 27
Transplant Feb 13 – Feb 27
Transplant Feb 6 – Feb 20
Sow or transplant Feb 6 – Feb 20
Sow or transplant Feb 6 – Feb 20
Sow or transplant Feb 13 – Feb 27
Sow or transplant Jan 2 – Jan 16
Fall sowing Nov 12 – Dec 10
Fall sowing Nov 12 – Dec 3
Fall sowing Oct 29 – Nov 12
Sow or transplant Jan 2 – Jan 16
Fall sowing Oct 29 – Nov 26
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Fall sowing Oct 15 – Oct 29
Transplant Jan 9 – Jan 23
Fall sowing Oct 15 – Oct 29
Fall sowing Oct 15 – Oct 29
Fall sowing Nov 26 – Dec 17
Fall sowing Oct 29 – Nov 12
Plant Jan 2 – Jan 16
Based on the average last frost (Jan 30) and first frost (Jan 7). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.