Big Sur, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 13median date
First fall frostDec 27median date
Growing season317 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone10bZone 10b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 3 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Big Sur compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Big Sur fall between December 27 and February 13. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as November 23, or the last frost as late as April 1.
- Compared with Salinas, CA, 49 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | December 26 |
| 50% (median) | February 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 23 |
| 50% (median) | December 27 |
| 90% (late) | February 22 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Big Sur, CA
Big Sur, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 13, first frost Dec 27, zone 10b. whenisthelastfrost.com
In mild climates, summer heat limits many crops as much as frost does. Use this calendar for spring planting and lean on fall and winter for cool-season crops.
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 21 to Dec 5Transplant outside: Jan 16 to Jan 30
Start indoors: Dec 5 to Dec 19Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 5 to Dec 19Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Nov 29
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 16 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 8
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Sow outdoors: Jan 2 to Jan 23Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 2 to Jan 23Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Nov 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Nov 15 to Dec 6
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Nov 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Plant for fall: Dec 13 to Jan 17Plant for fall: Dec 13 to Jan 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Big Sur, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Jan 16 – Feb 20 | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Kale | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
| Broccoli | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cabbage | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | — | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Okra | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — |
| Basil | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 2 – Jan 23 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 2 – Jan 23 | Nov 1 – Nov 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 9 – Feb 20 | Nov 15 – Dec 6 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Oct 11 – Oct 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Oct 18 – Nov 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 23 – Feb 20 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 23 – Feb 20 | Oct 18 – Nov 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 23 – Feb 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Oct 18 – Nov 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Nov 1 – Nov 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Oct 11 – Oct 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 13 – Jan 17 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Big Sur Stn, CA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 200 ft (61 m)).
Frost dates near Big Sur
- Carmel Valley Feb 20 · Dec 8
- Gonzales Apr 23 · Nov 3
- Carmel Jan 1 · Dec 30
- Soledad Apr 23 · Nov 3
- Carmel By The Sea Jan 1 · Dec 30
- Greenfield Feb 23 · Nov 22
- Monterey Jan 3 · Dec 28
- Spreckels Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Seaside Jan 2 · Dec 23
- Pebble Beach Jan 1 · Dec 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Big Sur, CA?
The median last spring frost in Big Sur, CA is February 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Big Sur, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 23.
How long is the growing season in Big Sur, CA?
About 317 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Big Sur, CA?
Big Sur, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 10b.