Frost dates for 95060 — Santa Cruz, CA
Last spring frostMar 25median date
First fall frostNov 11median date
Growing season231 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Santa Cruz compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Santa Cruz falls between February 17 and April 21, a 63-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and December 4.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 231-day growing season is longer than 48% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 33 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 37 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby San Jose, 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) | February 17 |
| 50% (median) | March 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 18 |
| 50% (median) | November 11 |
| 90% (late) | December 4 |
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 Cruz, CA
Frost dates for 95060 — Santa Cruz, CA — last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 11, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Dec 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Santa Cruz, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Feb 25 – Apr 1 | Sep 16 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Broccoli | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Okra | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Basil | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 28 – Dec 2 |
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 Ben Lomond #4, CA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 420 ft (128 m)).
ZIP codes in Santa Cruz: 95060 95061 95062 95063 95064 95065
Frost dates near Santa Cruz
- Mount Hermon Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Felton Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Ben Lomond Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Davenport Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Brookdale Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Scotts Valley Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Boulder Creek Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Soquel Jan 29 · Dec 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Santa Cruz, CA?
The median last spring frost in Santa Cruz, CA is March 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Santa Cruz, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 18.
How long is the growing season in Santa Cruz, CA?
About 231 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Santa Cruz, CA?
Santa Cruz, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.