Martinez, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 28median date
First fall frostNov 22median date
Growing season267 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Martinez compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Martinez falls between January 29 and April 5, a 66-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 7 and December 10.
- The median last frost is 31 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 267-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 16 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Concord, CA, 11 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 29 |
| 50% (median) | February 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 7 |
| 50% (median) | November 22 |
| 90% (late) | December 10 |
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 Martinez, CA
Martinez, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 28, first frost Nov 22, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Plant for fall: Nov 8 to Dec 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Martinez, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Jan 31 – Mar 7 | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Broccoli | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Okra | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — |
| Basil | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 24 – Mar 7 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 7 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 7 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| 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 Martinez Wtp, CA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 39 ft (12 m)).
Frost dates near Martinez
- Pleasant Hill Jan 7 · Dec 19
- Port Costa Jan 17 · Dec 27
- Benicia Jan 17 · Dec 27
- Lafayette Jan 7 · Dec 19
- Crockett Jan 17 · Dec 27
- Concord Jan 9 · Dec 14
- Walnut Creek Jan 7 · Dec 19
- Hercules Jan 17 · Dec 27
- Rodeo Jan 17 · Dec 27
- Orinda Jan 3 · Jan 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Martinez, CA?
The median last spring frost in Martinez, CA is February 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Martinez, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 7.
How long is the growing season in Martinez, CA?
About 267 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Martinez, CA?
Martinez, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.