California frost dates

Across California, the average last spring frost is around February 20 and the average first fall frost around December 1 — roughly 284 frost-free days. USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b.

Risk you accept	Last spring frost by	First fall frost by
Cautious (~10%)	March 6	November 17
Average (~50%)	February 20	December 1
Gambler (~90%)	February 6	December 15

California spans a wide range of elevations and climates — your town’s dates can differ from the state average by two weeks or more. Look up your exact ZIP.

→ Turn these into sowing dates with the California planting calendar, or look up an exact ZIP code.

Statewide average from NOAA/NCEI freeze normals. Cautious/gambler dates are about two weeks either side of the average.