Los Banos, CA frost dates
Last spring frostJan 26median date
First fall frostDec 10median date
Growing season318 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 16 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Los Banos compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Los Banos fall between December 10 and January 26. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as November 26, or the last frost as late as February 20.
- Nearby Merced, CA, 41 km away, has a regular frost season (last frost Feb 26), a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | December 29 |
| 50% (median) | January 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | February 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 26 |
| 50% (median) | December 10 |
| 90% (late) | January 4 |
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 Los Banos, CA
Los Banos, CA frost dates — last frost Jan 26, first frost Dec 10, zone 9a. 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
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Nov 3 to Nov 17Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12
Start indoors: Nov 17 to Dec 1Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Start indoors: Nov 17 to Dec 1Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 5 to Jan 19Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 12
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 12 to Jan 26Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 5 to Jan 19Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 12 to Jan 26Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Sow outdoors: Dec 22 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Dec 22 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Nov 19
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Jan 26
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Mar 2
Plant for fall: Nov 26 to Dec 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Los Banos, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 3 – Nov 17 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Dec 29 – Feb 2 | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Kale | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Broccoli | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cabbage | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Okra | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — |
| Basil | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 15 – Jan 5 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 15 – Jan 5 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 22 – Feb 2 | Oct 29 – Nov 19 |
| Cucumbers | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Oct 1 – Oct 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 5 – Feb 2 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 5 – Feb 2 | Oct 1 – Oct 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 5 – Jan 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 9 | Oct 1 – Oct 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 2 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 26 – Dec 31 |
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 Los Banos, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 121 ft (37 m)).
Frost dates near Los Banos
- Gustine Feb 26 · Nov 29
- Dos Palos Jan 26 · Dec 10
- South Dos Palos Jan 26 · Dec 10
- Santa Rita Park Feb 26 · Nov 25
- Stevinson Mar 28 · Nov 14
- El Nido Feb 26 · Nov 25
- Newman Feb 26 · Nov 29
- Livingston Jan 6 · Dec 20
- Hilmar Jan 6 · Dec 20
- Atwater Mar 3 · Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Los Banos, CA?
The median last spring frost in Los Banos, CA is January 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after February 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Los Banos, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 26.
How long is the growing season in Los Banos, CA?
About 318 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Los Banos, CA?
Los Banos, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.