Menlo Park, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 25median date
First fall frostNov 25median date
Growing season273 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Menlo Park compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Menlo Park falls between January 14 and April 11, a 87-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 3 and December 19.
- The median last frost is 34 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 273-day growing season is longer than 73% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 26 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Redwood City, CA, 5 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 14 |
| 50% (median) | February 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 3 |
| 50% (median) | November 25 |
| 90% (late) | December 19 |
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 Menlo Park, CA
Menlo Park, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 25, first frost Nov 25, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 4
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Plant for fall: Nov 11 to Dec 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Menlo Park, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Jan 28 – Mar 4 | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| Kale | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Broccoli | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Okra | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Basil | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 21 – Mar 4 | Oct 14 – Nov 4 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 11 – Dec 16 |
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 Woodside Fire Stn, CA weather station, 2 km away (elevation 381 ft (116 m)).
ZIP codes in Menlo Park: 94025 94026
Frost dates near Menlo Park
- Redwood City Jan 17 · Dec 12
- Portola Valley Mar 21 · Dec 15
- Atherton Jan 17 · Dec 12
- Stanford Feb 1 · Dec 7
- San Carlos Jan 17 · Dec 12
- Palo Alto Feb 1 · Dec 7
- Belmont Jan 17 · Dec 12
- San Gregorio Mar 2 · Nov 25
- Los Altos Jan 6 · Dec 23
- La Honda Mar 21 · Dec 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Menlo Park, CA?
The median last spring frost in Menlo Park, CA is February 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Menlo Park, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 3.
How long is the growing season in Menlo Park, CA?
About 273 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Menlo Park, CA?
Menlo Park, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.