Santa Ynez, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostNov 8median date
Growing season211 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Santa Ynez compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Santa Ynez falls between March 14 and May 6, a 53-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 29.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 211-day growing season is longer than 39% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 50 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 19 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Santa Barbara, CA, 39 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) | March 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | November 8 |
| 90% (late) | November 29 |
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 Santa Ynez, CA
Santa Ynez, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 11, first frost Nov 8, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Santa Ynez, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Sep 13 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 25 – Nov 29 |
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 Cachuma Lake, CA weather station, 9 km away (elevation 791 ft (241 m)).
Frost dates near Santa Ynez
- Los Olivos Apr 11 · Nov 8
- Solvang Apr 11 · Nov 8
- Buellton Apr 11 · Nov 8
- Los Alamos Jan 20 · Dec 19
- Goleta Jan 11 · Dec 16
- Lompoc Jan 20 · Dec 19
- Santa Barbara Jan 13 · Jan 6
- New Cuyama Apr 15 · Nov 4
- Santa Maria Feb 4 · Dec 13
- Summerland Jan 13 · Jan 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Santa Ynez, CA?
The median last spring frost in Santa Ynez, CA is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Santa Ynez, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Santa Ynez, CA?
About 211 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Santa Ynez, CA?
Santa Ynez, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.