Freedom, CA frost dates
Last spring frostJan 28median date
First fall frostDec 13median date
Growing season319 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 8 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Freedom compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Freedom fall between December 13 and January 28. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as November 25, or the last frost as late as March 3.
- Freedom shares its weather station with Watsonville, CA, 3 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | December 23 |
| 50% (median) | January 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 25 |
| 50% (median) | December 13 |
| 90% (late) | January 15 |
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 Freedom, CA
Freedom, CA frost dates — last frost Jan 28, first frost Dec 13, 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 5 to Nov 19Transplant outside: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Dec 31 to Jan 14
Start indoors: Nov 19 to Dec 3Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Nov 19 to Dec 3Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 7 to Jan 21Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 15
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Dec 31 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 14 to Jan 28Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 7 to Jan 21Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 14 to Jan 28Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Sow outdoors: Dec 17 to Jan 7Sow outdoors: Dec 17 to Jan 7Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Dec 17 to Jan 7Sow outdoors: Dec 17 to Jan 7Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 8
Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Nov 22
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Jan 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Mar 4
Plant for fall: Nov 29 to Jan 3Plant for fall: Nov 29 to Jan 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Freedom, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 5 – Nov 19 | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Dec 31 – Feb 4 | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Kale | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Broccoli | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | — | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cabbage | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | — | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Okra | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — |
| Basil | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 17 – Jan 7 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 17 – Jan 7 | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 24 – Feb 4 | Nov 1 – Nov 22 |
| Cucumbers | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 7 – Feb 4 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 7 – Feb 4 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 7 – Jan 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 11 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 29 – Jan 3 |
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 Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 95 ft (29 m)).
Frost dates near Freedom
- Watsonville Jan 28 · Dec 13
- Aptos Jan 29 · Dec 13
- Moss Landing Jan 28 · Dec 13
- Aromas Jan 28 · Dec 13
- Capitola Jan 29 · Dec 13
- Soquel Jan 29 · Dec 13
- Castroville Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Gilroy Feb 24 · Nov 27
- San Martin Feb 24 · Nov 27
- Santa Cruz Jan 29 · Dec 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Freedom, CA?
The median last spring frost in Freedom, CA is January 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Freedom, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 25.
How long is the growing season in Freedom, CA?
About 319 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Freedom, CA?
Freedom, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.