Carmel Valley, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 20median date
First fall frostDec 8median date
Growing season291 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Carmel Valley compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Carmel Valley falls between January 3 and March 27, a 83-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 14 and January 16.
- The median last frost is 39 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 291-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9b, where the median is Feb 20.
- The weather station records an average of 12 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Salinas, CA, 23 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 3 |
| 50% (median) | February 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 14 |
| 50% (median) | December 8 |
| 90% (late) | January 16 |
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 Carmel Valley, CA
Carmel Valley, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 20, first frost Dec 8, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Nov 28 to Dec 12Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6
Start indoors: Dec 12 to Dec 26Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Dec 12 to Dec 26Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 10
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 3
Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Nov 17
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Plant for fall: Nov 24 to Dec 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Carmel Valley, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Jan 23 – Feb 27 | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Kale | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Broccoli | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cabbage | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Okra | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — |
| Basil | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 9 – Jan 30 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 9 – Jan 30 | Oct 13 – Nov 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 16 – Feb 27 | Oct 27 – Nov 17 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 29 – Oct 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Sep 29 – Oct 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 6 | Sep 29 – Oct 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Oct 13 – Nov 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 24 – Dec 29 |
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 Carmel Valley, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 479 ft (146 m)).
Frost dates near Carmel Valley
- Seaside Jan 2 · Dec 23
- Spreckels Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Carmel Jan 1 · Dec 30
- Monterey Jan 3 · Dec 28
- Carmel By The Sea Jan 1 · Dec 30
- Pebble Beach Jan 1 · Dec 30
- Salinas Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Pacific Grove Jan 1 · Dec 30
- Marina Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Big Sur Feb 13 · Dec 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Carmel Valley, CA?
The median last spring frost in Carmel Valley, CA is February 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Carmel Valley, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 14.
How long is the growing season in Carmel Valley, CA?
About 291 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Carmel Valley, CA?
Carmel Valley, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.