Frost dates for 93930King City, CA
The average last spring frost in King City is February 23 and the average first fall frost is November 22, giving a typical growing season of about 271 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 22
- Growing season
- 271 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 26 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 5 · Apr 7 · Apr 29 | Oct 17 · Nov 4 · Nov 22 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 19 · Feb 23 · Mar 31 | Nov 1 · Nov 22 · Dec 11 | 271 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 18 · Jan 22 · Feb 21 | Nov 19 · Dec 6 · Jan 10 | 326 days | 92% |
Planting calendar for King City
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 23 – Mar 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 11 – Aug 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Apr 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Aug 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 12 – Jan 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Apr 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Mar 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 12 – Dec 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93930 is matched to the NOAA station King City, CA, 1 km away, at 320 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| King City, CA (used) | 320 ft | Feb 23 | Nov 22 |
| Pinnacles Nm, CA | 1,307 ft | Apr 23 | Nov 3 |
| Priest Valley, CA | 2,300 ft | May 8 | Oct 22 |
| Hearst Castle, CA | 1,526 ft | Feb 13 | Feb 1 |
Frost dates near King City
- San Lucas, CA 93954 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- Greenfield, CA 93927 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- Jolon, CA 93928 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- Lockwood, CA 93932 · last Feb 13, first Feb 1
- Soledad, CA 93960 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- San Ardo, CA 93450 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
- Paicines, CA 95043 · last May 8, first Oct 22
- Gonzales, CA 93926 · last Jan 29, first Dec 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in King City, CA?
- For ZIP code 93930, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the King City, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in King City, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93930?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 271 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.