Frost dates for 93009 — Ventura, CA
Last spring frostMar 21median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season239 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone10aZone 10a
How Ventura compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ventura falls between February 20 and April 15, a 54-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 28 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 239-day growing season is longer than 53% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 19 days later than the zone 10a median of Mar 2. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 10a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 31 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Oxnard, CA, 23 km away, rarely gets frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 20 |
| 50% (median) | March 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 28 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
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 Ventura, CA
Frost dates for 93009 — Ventura, CA — last frost Mar 21, first frost Nov 15, zone 10a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ventura, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 21 – Mar 28 | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Okra | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Basil | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 28 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 1 – Dec 6 |
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 Ojai, CA weather station, 13 km away (elevation 745 ft (227 m)).
ZIP codes in Ventura: 93001 93002 93003 93004 93005 93006 93007 93009
Frost dates near Ventura
- Santa Paula Dec 31 · Dec 28
- Ojai Mar 21 · Nov 15
- Oak View Mar 21 · Nov 15
- Somis Dec 31 · Dec 28
- Camarillo Dec 31 · Dec 28
- Fillmore Dec 31 · Dec 28
- Port Hueneme Cbc Base rare frost
- Port Hueneme rare frost
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ventura, CA?
The median last spring frost in Ventura, CA is March 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ventura, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 28.
How long is the growing season in Ventura, CA?
About 239 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ventura, CA?
Ventura, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 10a.