Frost dates for 93023Ojai, CA
The average last spring frost in Ojai is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 235 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 235 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 19 · May 12 | Oct 14 · Oct 31 · Nov 15 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 21 · Apr 15 | Oct 28 · Nov 15 · Dec 2 | 235 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 8 · Feb 17 · Mar 15 | Nov 12 · Dec 1 · Dec 22 | 287 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Ojai
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93023 is matched to the NOAA station Ojai, CA, 2.7 km away, at 745 ft elevation (55 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ojai, CA (used) | 745 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 15 |
| Oxnard Ventura Co Ap, CA | 36 ft | — | — |
| Oxnard, CA | 49 ft | — | — |
| Oxnard Wfo, CA | 52 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Ojai
- Ojai, CA 93024 · last Mar 21, first Nov 15
- Oak View, CA 93022 · last Mar 21, first Nov 15
- Ventura, CA 93009 · last Mar 21, first Nov 15
- Santa Paula, CA 93060 · last Dec 31, first Dec 28
- Oxnard, CA 93036 · last —, first —
- Carpinteria, CA 93013 · last Jan 13, first Jan 6
- Somis, CA 93066 · last Dec 31, first Dec 28
- Camarillo, CA 93010 · last Dec 31, first Dec 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ojai, CA?
- For ZIP code 93023, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ojai, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Ojai, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93023?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 235 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.