San Ardo, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostOct 22median date
Growing season167 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How San Ardo compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in San Ardo falls between April 20 and May 29, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 8.
- The median last frost is 38 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 167-day growing season is longer than 20% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 66 days later 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 104 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Salinas, CA, 105 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) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 22 |
| 90% (late) | November 8 |
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 San Ardo, CA
San Ardo, CA frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Oct 22, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in San Ardo, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 10 – May 15 | Aug 27 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 8 – Nov 12 |
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 Priest Valley, CA weather station, 27 km away (elevation 2,300 ft (701 m)).
Frost dates near San Ardo
- Lockwood Feb 23 · Nov 22
- San Lucas Feb 23 · Nov 22
- Bradley Feb 13 · Feb 1
- San Miguel Apr 4 · Nov 5
- Jolon Feb 23 · Nov 22
- King City Feb 23 · Nov 22
- Paso Robles Apr 4 · Nov 5
- San Simeon Feb 13 · Feb 1
- Templeton Mar 15 · Nov 10
- Coalinga Feb 14 · Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in San Ardo, CA?
The median last spring frost in San Ardo, CA is May 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in San Ardo, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in San Ardo, CA?
About 167 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is San Ardo, CA?
San Ardo, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.