Frost dates for 93451San Miguel, CA
The average last spring frost in San Miguel is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 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) | May 12 · May 31 · Jun 16 | Sep 8 · Oct 3 · Oct 23 | 124 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 8 · May 29 | Oct 1 · Oct 22 · Nov 8 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 15 · May 8 | Oct 19 · Nov 5 · Nov 25 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for San Miguel
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 | Apr 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93451 is matched to the NOAA station Priest Valley, CA, 33.3 km away, at 2,300 ft elevation (358 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priest Valley, CA (used) | 2,300 ft | May 8 | Oct 22 |
| Paso Robles Muni Ap, CA | 810 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 5 |
| Paso Robles, CA | 730 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 10 |
| Coalinga, CA | 670 ft | Feb 14 | Nov 30 |
Frost dates near San Miguel
- Paso Robles, CA 93447 · last Mar 15, first Nov 10
- San Ardo, CA 93450 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
- Shandon, CA 93461 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
- Bradley, CA 93426 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
- Coalinga, CA 93210 · last Feb 14, first Nov 30
- Templeton, CA 93465 · last Mar 15, first Nov 10
- Lockwood, CA 93932 · last Feb 13, first Feb 1
- Avenal, CA 93204 · last Feb 14, first Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in San Miguel, CA?
- For ZIP code 93451, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Priest Valley, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in San Miguel, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93451?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 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.