Frost dates for 95404 — Santa Rosa, CA
Last spring frostFeb 25median date
First fall frostDec 1median date
Growing season279 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Santa Rosa compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Santa Rosa falls between January 21 and March 29, a 67-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 10 and December 24.
- The median last frost is 34 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 279-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 15 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby San Francisco, CA, 79 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) | January 21 |
| 50% (median) | February 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 10 |
| 50% (median) | December 1 |
| 90% (late) | December 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 Santa Rosa, CA
Frost dates for 95404 — Santa Rosa, CA — last frost Feb 25, first frost Dec 1, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 3
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 10
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Plant for fall: Nov 17 to Dec 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Santa Rosa, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Jan 28 – Mar 4 | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Kale | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Broccoli | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Okra | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Basil | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 21 – Mar 4 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 17 – Dec 22 |
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 Santa Rosa, CA weather station, 2 km away (elevation 167 ft (51 m)).
ZIP codes in Santa Rosa: 95401 95402 95403 95404 95405 95406 95407 95409
Frost dates near Santa Rosa
- Fulton Mar 2 · Nov 20
- Rohnert Park Feb 28 · Nov 25
- Sebastopol Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Cotati Feb 28 · Nov 25
- Graton Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Windsor Mar 2 · Nov 20
- Kenwood Feb 3 · Dec 4
- Penngrove Feb 28 · Nov 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Santa Rosa, CA?
The median last spring frost in Santa Rosa, CA is February 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Santa Rosa, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 10.
How long is the growing season in Santa Rosa, CA?
About 279 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Santa Rosa, CA?
Santa Rosa, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.