Frost dates for 94020La Honda, CA
The average last spring frost in La Honda is February 25 and the average first fall frost is November 25, giving a typical growing season of about 274 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 25
- Growing season
- 274 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 29 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 16 · Apr 10 · May 3 | Oct 16 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 210 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 14 · Feb 25 · Apr 11 | Nov 3 · Nov 25 · Dec 19 | 274 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 15 · Jan 13 · Feb 17 | Nov 21 · Dec 12 · Jan 14 | 336 days | 85% |
Planting calendar for La Honda
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 25 – Apr 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 14 – Jan 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Apr 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 15 – Dec 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 94020 is matched to the NOAA station Woodside Fire Stn 1, CA, 17.4 km away, at 380 ft elevation (450 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodside Fire Stn 1, CA (used) | 380 ft | Feb 25 | Nov 25 |
| Skyline Ridge Preserve, CA | 2,270 ft | Mar 21 | Dec 15 |
| San Gregorio 2 Se, CA | 275 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 25 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 25 ft | Feb 1 | Dec 7 |
Frost dates near La Honda
- Loma Mar, CA 94021 · last Feb 25, first Nov 25
- San Gregorio, CA 94074 · last Feb 6, first Dec 17
- Portola Valley, CA 94028 · last Feb 25, first Nov 25
- Pescadero, CA 94060 · last Mar 2, first Nov 25
- Menlo Park, CA 94026 · last Feb 25, first Nov 25
- Redwood City, CA 94064 · last Feb 25, first Nov 25
- Los Altos, CA 94022 · last Jan 6, first Dec 23
- Boulder Creek, CA 95006 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in La Honda, CA?
- For ZIP code 94020, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Woodside Fire Stn 1, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in La Honda, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 94020?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 274 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.