Castroville, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 4median date
First fall frostDec 6median date
Growing season305 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 7 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Castroville compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Castroville fall between December 6 and February 4. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as November 18, or the last frost as late as March 11.
- Castroville shares its weather station with Salinas, CA, 13 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | December 25 |
| 50% (median) | February 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 18 |
| 50% (median) | December 6 |
| 90% (late) | January 5 |
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 Castroville, CA
Castroville, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 4, first frost Dec 6, zone 9b. 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 12 to Nov 26Transplant outside: Jan 7 to Jan 21
Start indoors: Nov 26 to Dec 10Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Nov 26 to Dec 10Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 14 to Jan 28Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 8
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 7 to Jan 21Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 21 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 14 to Jan 28Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 21 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 15
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 11
Plant for fall: Nov 22 to Dec 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Castroville, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 12 – Nov 26 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 26 – Dec 10 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 26 – Dec 10 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Jan 7 – Feb 11 | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Kale | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Broccoli | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cabbage | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Okra | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — |
| Basil | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 24 – Jan 14 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 24 – Jan 14 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 31 – Feb 11 | Oct 25 – Nov 15 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | — | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | — | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 11 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 11 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 18 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 22 – Dec 27 |
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 Salinas #2, CA weather station, 14 km away (elevation 46 ft (14 m)).
Frost dates near Castroville
- Moss Landing Jan 28 · Dec 13
- Marina Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Salinas Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Watsonville Jan 28 · Dec 13
- Seaside Jan 2 · Dec 23
- Aromas Jan 28 · Dec 13
- Spreckels Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Freedom Jan 28 · Dec 13
- San Juan Bautista Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Monterey Jan 3 · Dec 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Castroville, CA?
The median last spring frost in Castroville, CA is February 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Castroville, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 18.
How long is the growing season in Castroville, CA?
About 305 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Castroville, CA?
Castroville, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.