Frost dates for 94971Tomales, CA
The average last spring frost in Tomales is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 240 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 240 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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 31 · Apr 23 · May 16 | Sep 29 · Oct 24 · Nov 11 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 20 · Apr 19 | Oct 26 · Nov 13 · Dec 6 | 240 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 25 · Feb 1 · Mar 7 | Nov 12 · Dec 3 · Jan 8 | 307 days | 95% |
Planting calendar for Tomales
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 | Feb 17 – Apr 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 94971 is matched to the NOAA station Graton, CA, 21.3 km away, at 200 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graton, CA (used) | 200 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 13 |
| Bodega 6 Wsw, CA | 63 ft | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
| Occidental, CA | 865 ft | Jan 29 | Dec 30 |
| Petaluma Ap, CA | 20 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 25 |
Frost dates near Tomales
- Dillon Beach, CA 94929 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Marshall, CA 94940 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Valley Ford, CA 94972 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Bodega, CA 94922 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Bodega Bay, CA 94923 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Inverness, CA 94937 · last Jan 29, first Dec 30
- Sebastopol, CA 95472 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Occidental, CA 95465 · last Jan 29, first Dec 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tomales, CA?
- For ZIP code 94971, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Graton, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Tomales, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 94971?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 240 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.