Shandon, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 4median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season215 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Shandon compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Shandon falls between March 2 and April 27, a 56-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 24.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 215-day growing season is longer than 42% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 19 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 45 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Santa Maria, CA, 81 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 2 |
| 50% (median) | April 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 24 |
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 Shandon, CA
Shandon, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 4, first frost Nov 5, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 9
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Shandon, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 7 – Apr 11 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Okra | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Basil | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
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 Paso Robles Muni Ap, CA weather station, 23 km away (elevation 810 ft (247 m)).
Frost dates near Shandon
- Creston Apr 4 · Nov 5
- Paso Robles Apr 4 · Nov 5
- Templeton Mar 15 · Nov 10
- San Miguel Apr 4 · Nov 5
- Santa Margarita Jan 16 · Dec 25
- Atascadero Jan 19 · Jan 14
- Avenal Feb 19 · Nov 29
- San Luis Obispo Jan 16 · Dec 25
- Cayucos Jan 19 · Jan 14
- Morro Bay Jan 19 · Jan 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Shandon, CA?
The median last spring frost in Shandon, CA is April 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Shandon, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Shandon, CA?
About 215 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Shandon, CA?
Shandon, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.