Lockwood, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 23median date
First fall frostNov 22median date
Growing season272 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Lockwood compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lockwood falls between January 19 and March 31, a 71-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 11.
- The median last frost is 36 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 272-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 8 days earlier than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 27 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Salinas, CA, 97 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) | February 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 22 |
| 90% (late) | December 11 |
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 Lockwood, CA
Lockwood, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 23, first frost Nov 22, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 26 to Feb 9
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Jan 26 to Feb 9Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Plant for fall: Nov 8 to Dec 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lockwood, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Jan 26 – Mar 2 | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Broccoli | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Okra | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Basil | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 2 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 2 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 19 – Mar 2 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | — | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | — | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 2 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 2 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 9 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 8 – Dec 13 |
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 King City, CA weather station, 29 km away (elevation 322 ft (98 m)).
Frost dates near Lockwood
- Jolon Feb 23 · Nov 22
- Bradley Feb 13 · Feb 1
- San Ardo May 8 · Oct 22
- San Lucas Feb 23 · Nov 22
- King City Feb 23 · Nov 22
- San Simeon Feb 13 · Feb 1
- San Miguel Apr 4 · Nov 5
- Paso Robles Apr 4 · Nov 5
- Cambria Feb 13 · Feb 1
- Greenfield Feb 23 · Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lockwood, CA?
The median last spring frost in Lockwood, CA is February 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lockwood, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Lockwood, CA?
About 272 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lockwood, CA?
Lockwood, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.