Frost dates for 93422 — Atascadero, CA
Last spring frostMar 15median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season240 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Atascadero compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Atascadero falls between February 12 and April 13, a 60-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 29.
- The median last frost is 16 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 240-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 12 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 54 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Santa Maria, CA, 64 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) | February 12 |
| 50% (median) | March 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 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 Atascadero, CA
Frost dates for 93422 — Atascadero, CA — last frost Mar 15, first frost Nov 10, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Atascadero, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 15 – Mar 22 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Basil | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 1 – Feb 22 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 1 – Feb 22 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 22 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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, CA weather station, 17 km away (elevation 732 ft (223 m)).
ZIP codes in Atascadero: 93422 93423
Frost dates near Atascadero
- Templeton Mar 15 · Nov 10
- Morro Bay Jan 19 · Jan 14
- Creston Apr 4 · Nov 5
- Cayucos Jan 19 · Jan 14
- San Luis Obispo Jan 16 · Dec 25
- Los Osos Jan 19 · Jan 14
- Paso Robles Apr 4 · Nov 5
- Harmony Jan 19 · Jan 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Atascadero, CA?
The median last spring frost in Atascadero, CA is March 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Atascadero, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Atascadero, CA?
About 240 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Atascadero, CA?
Atascadero, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.