Chualar, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 14median date
First fall frostNov 2median date
Growing season202 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Chualar compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chualar falls between March 15 and May 9, a 55-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 22.
- The median last frost is 14 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 202-day growing season is longer than 35% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 53 days later than the zone 9b median of Feb 20. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 65 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Salinas, CA, 22 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) | March 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | November 2 |
| 90% (late) | November 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 Chualar, CA
Chualar, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 14, first frost Nov 2, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 19
Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chualar, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 17 – Apr 21 | Sep 7 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Okra | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Basil | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 21 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 19 – Nov 23 |
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 Paicines 4 W, CA weather station, 15 km away (elevation 906 ft (276 m)).
Frost dates near Chualar
- Gonzales Apr 23 · Nov 3
- Spreckels Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Soledad Apr 23 · Nov 3
- Salinas Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Tres Pinos Apr 14 · Nov 2
- Hollister Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Carmel Valley Feb 20 · Dec 8
- San Juan Bautista Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Seaside Jan 2 · Dec 23
- Marina Feb 4 · Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chualar, CA?
The median last spring frost in Chualar, CA is April 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Chualar, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Chualar, CA?
About 202 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chualar, CA?
Chualar, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.