La Honda, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 21median date
First fall frostDec 15median date
Growing season269 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How La Honda compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in La Honda falls between January 19 and April 28, a 99-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 21 and January 30.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 269-day growing season is longer than 67% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 29 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 11 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Cupertino, CA, 18 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 19 |
| 50% (median) | March 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 21 |
| 50% (median) | December 15 |
| 90% (late) | January 30 |
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 La Honda, CA
La Honda, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 21, first frost Dec 15, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 17
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Nov 3 to Nov 24
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Plant for fall: Dec 1 to Jan 5Plant for fall: Dec 1 to Jan 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in La Honda, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 21 – Mar 28 | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Kale | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cabbage | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Okra | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Basil | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 28 | Nov 3 – Nov 24 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 29 – Oct 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 29 – Oct 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 1 – Jan 5 |
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 Skyline Ridge Preserve, CA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 2,270 ft (692 m)).
Frost dates near La Honda
- Loma Mar Mar 2 · Nov 25
- San Gregorio Mar 2 · Nov 25
- Portola Valley Mar 21 · Dec 15
- Pescadero Mar 2 · Nov 25
- Menlo Park Feb 25 · Nov 25
- Boulder Creek Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Los Altos Jan 6 · Dec 23
- Cupertino Jan 6 · Dec 23
- Stanford Feb 1 · Dec 7
- Mountain View Jan 6 · Dec 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in La Honda, CA?
The median last spring frost in La Honda, CA is March 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in La Honda, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 21.
How long is the growing season in La Honda, CA?
About 269 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is La Honda, CA?
La Honda, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.