Frost dates for 93422Atascadero, CA
The average last spring frost in Atascadero is March 15 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 15
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 24 · Apr 18 · May 6 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 12 | 190 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 15 · Apr 13 | Oct 23 · Nov 10 · Nov 29 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 2 · Feb 9 · Mar 4 | Nov 4 · Nov 26 · Dec 19 | 287 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Atascadero
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 12 – Apr 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93422 is matched to the NOAA station Paso Robles, CA, 17.1 km away, at 730 ft elevation (185 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paso Robles, CA (used) | 730 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 10 |
| San Luis Obispo Poly, CA | 308 ft | Jan 16 | Dec 25 |
| Morro Bay Fire Dept, CA | 118 ft | Jan 19 | Jan 14 |
| Paso Robles Muni Ap, CA | 810 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Atascadero
- Templeton, CA 93465 · last Mar 15, first Nov 10
- Atascadero, CA 93423 · last Mar 15, first Nov 10
- Paso Robles, CA 93446 · last Mar 15, first Nov 10
- Morro Bay, CA 93442 · last Jan 19, first Jan 14
- Creston, CA 93432 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
- San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 · last Jan 16, first Dec 25
- Cayucos, CA 93430 · last Jan 19, first Jan 14
- Los Osos, CA 93402 · last Jan 19, first Jan 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Atascadero, CA?
- For ZIP code 93422, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Paso Robles, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Atascadero, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93422?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.