Frost Dates for Windsor, CA

In Windsor, CA, the average last spring frost is around Mar 2 and the average first fall frost around Nov 20, for a growing season of about 262 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 2, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMar 250% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 2only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostNov 2050% chance of frost before this date
Growing season262 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Santa Rosa Sonoma Co Airport, CA weather station, 3 miles away, elevation 114 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.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 2Nov 1
20%Mar 24Nov 7
30%Mar 14Nov 12
40%Mar 7Nov 16
50%Mar 2Nov 20
60%Feb 26Nov 24
70%Feb 21Nov 28
80%Feb 11Dec 3
90%Jan 27Dec 10

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.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 12Nov 3
Frost / freeze (32°F)Mar 2Nov 20
Hard freeze (28°F)Jan 23Dec 5

Planting calendar for Windsor

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Jan 5 – Jan 19
Transplant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers
Indoors Dec 22 – Jan 5
Transplant Mar 16 – Mar 30
Eggplant
Indoors Dec 22 – Jan 5
Transplant Mar 16 – Mar 30
Basil
Indoors Jan 19 – Feb 2
Transplant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Cucumbers
Indoors Feb 2 – Feb 9
Sow or transplant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Feb 2 – Feb 9
Sow or transplant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Mar 9 – Mar 23
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Feb 2 – Feb 9
Sow or transplant Mar 16 – Mar 30
Green beans
Sow Mar 9 – Mar 23
Sweet corn
Sow Mar 9 – Mar 23
Lettuce
Indoors Jan 19 – Feb 2
Sow or transplant Feb 2 – Feb 16
Fall sowing Sep 25 – Oct 23
Spinach
Sow Jan 19 – Feb 9
Fall sowing Sep 25 – Oct 16
Peas
Sow Jan 19 – Feb 2
Fall sowing Sep 11 – Sep 25
Kale
Indoors Jan 5 – Jan 19
Sow or transplant Feb 2 – Feb 16
Fall sowing Sep 11 – Oct 9
Broccoli
Indoors Jan 5 – Jan 19
Transplant Feb 16 – Mar 2
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 11
Cabbage
Indoors Jan 5 – Jan 19
Transplant Feb 9 – Feb 23
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 11
Carrots
Sow Feb 9 – Mar 2
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 11
Radishes
Sow Jan 26 – Feb 16
Fall sowing Oct 9 – Oct 30
Beets
Sow Feb 9 – Mar 2
Fall sowing Sep 11 – Sep 25
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Dec 8 – Dec 22
Plant Feb 2 – Feb 16
Potatoes
Plant Feb 9 – Feb 23
Garlic
Plant Nov 20 – Dec 18

Based on the average last frost (Mar 2) and first frost (Nov 20). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

Santa RosaRohnert ParkPetalumaNapaNovatoSan RafaelVallejoHerculesAll California towns