Soledad, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostNov 3median date
Growing season194 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Soledad compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Soledad falls between March 23 and June 4, a 73-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 22.
- The median last frost is 23 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 194-day growing season is longer than 30% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 62 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 67 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Salinas, CA, 41 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 23 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | November 3 |
| 90% (late) | November 22 |
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 Soledad, CA
Soledad, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Nov 3, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Soledad, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Sep 8 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 20 – Nov 24 |
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 Pinnacles Nm, CA weather station, 14 km away (elevation 1,306 ft (398 m)).
Frost dates near Soledad
- Gonzales Apr 23 · Nov 3
- Greenfield Feb 23 · Nov 22
- Chualar Apr 14 · Nov 2
- King City Feb 23 · Nov 22
- Paicines Apr 23 · Nov 3
- Carmel Valley Feb 20 · Dec 8
- Spreckels Feb 4 · Dec 6
- Tres Pinos Apr 14 · Nov 2
- Big Sur Feb 13 · Dec 27
- Salinas Feb 4 · Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Soledad, CA?
The median last spring frost in Soledad, CA is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Soledad, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Soledad, CA?
About 194 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Soledad, CA?
Soledad, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.