Frost Dates for Watsonville, CA
In Watsonville, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 28 and the average first fall frost around Dec 13, for a growing season of about 324 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Mar 3, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA weather station, under 1 mile away, elevation 95 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 3 | Nov 25 |
| 20% | Feb 24 | Dec 1 |
| 30% | Feb 12 | Dec 4 |
| 40% | Feb 3 | Dec 8 |
| 50% | Jan 28 | Dec 13 |
| 60% | Jan 20 | Dec 18 |
| 70% | Jan 11 | Dec 24 |
| 80% | Dec 31 | Jan 1 |
| 90% | Dec 23 | Jan 15 |
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 15 | Nov 26 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 28 | Dec 13 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 2 | Dec 26 |
Planting calendar for Watsonville
Transplant Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Feb 4 – Feb 18
Sow or transplant Feb 4 – Feb 18
Sow or transplant Feb 4 – Feb 18
Sow or transplant Feb 11 – Feb 25
Sow or transplant Dec 31 – Jan 14
Fall sowing Oct 18 – Nov 15
Fall sowing Oct 18 – Nov 8
Fall sowing Oct 4 – Oct 18
Sow or transplant Dec 31 – Jan 14
Fall sowing Oct 4 – Nov 1
Transplant Jan 14 – Jan 28
Fall sowing Sep 20 – Oct 4
Transplant Jan 7 – Jan 21
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 Dec 31 – Jan 14
Based on the average last frost (Jan 28) and first frost (Dec 13). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.