Frost dates for 93960Soledad, CA
The average last spring frost in Soledad 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 19 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 Soledad
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 93960 is matched to the NOAA station King City, CA, 29 km away, at 320 ft elevation (126 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 |
| Paicines 4 W, CA | 905 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 2 |
| Carmel Valley, CA | 480 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 8 |
Frost dates near Soledad
- Gonzales, CA 93926 · last Jan 29, first Dec 10
- Greenfield, CA 93927 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- Chualar, CA 93925 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
- King City, CA 93930 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- Paicines, CA 95043 · last May 8, first Oct 22
- Carmel Valley, CA 93924 · last Feb 20, first Dec 8
- Salinas, CA 93908 · last Feb 20, first Dec 8
- Spreckels, CA 93962 · last Feb 4, first Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Soledad, CA?
- For ZIP code 93960, 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 Soledad, 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 93960?
- 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.