Frost dates for 93908Salinas, CA
The average last spring frost in Salinas is February 20 and the average first fall frost is December 8, giving a typical growing season of about 294 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 20
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 8
- Growing season
- 294 days
Safer after Mar 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 42 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 13 · Apr 13 · May 12 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 9 | 217 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 3 · Feb 20 · Mar 27 | Nov 14 · Dec 8 · Jan 16 | 294 days | 98% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 6 · Jan 3 · Feb 16 | Nov 27 · Dec 22 · Jan 27 | 361 days | 55% |
Planting calendar for Salinas
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 | Jan 20 – Mar 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 20 – Feb 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Apr 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 9 – Jan 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Feb 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Sep 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Sep 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Apr 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Feb 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 28 – Dec 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93908 is matched to the NOAA station Carmel Valley, CA, 14.2 km away, at 480 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel Valley, CA (used) | 480 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 8 |
| Salinas #2, CA | 45 ft | Feb 4 | Dec 6 |
| Salinas Municipal Ap, CA | 74 ft | Jan 29 | Dec 10 |
| Monterey Peninsul Ap, CA | 165 ft | Jan 2 | Dec 23 |
Frost dates near Salinas
- Spreckels, CA 93962 · last Feb 4, first Dec 6
- Salinas, CA 93901 · last Feb 4, first Dec 6
- Seaside, CA 93955 · last Feb 20, first Dec 8
- Marina, CA 93933 · last Feb 4, first Dec 6
- Carmel Valley, CA 93924 · last Feb 20, first Dec 8
- Monterey, CA 93940 · last Jan 2, first Dec 23
- Castroville, CA 95012 · last Feb 4, first Dec 6
- Carmel, CA 93923 · last Jan 3, first Dec 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salinas, CA?
- For ZIP code 93908, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Carmel Valley, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 27.
- When is the first frost in Salinas, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93908?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 294 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.