Frost Dates for Goleta, CA 93117
Last spring frost January 29 · First fall frost December 2 · 307 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 93117 has about 52,900 people.
Very long season: 307 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 4–April 1 (87 days). Fall frost risk spans November 11–December 17 (36 days).
Frost probability for 93117
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 1 | January 29 | January 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 11 | December 2 | December 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LOS ALAMOS (33.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 307-day season in Goleta
In Goleta (307 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 25 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 265 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 12. | Aug 2 |
| Pepper | Dec 18 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 265 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 12. | Aug 7 |
| Lettuce | Dec 4 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 342 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 11 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 349 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 349 available after Jan 8. | Sep 30 |
| Cucumber | Jan 8 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Beans | — | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Peas | — | Dec 4–Feb 12 | 370 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 370 available after Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
| Zucchini | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Onion | Nov 6 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 342 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 342 available after Jan 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 4–Jan 22 | 384 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 4 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 30 |
| Kale | Nov 20 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 356 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 15 |
| Broccoli | Dec 4 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 342 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 342 available after Jan 1. | Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Dec 4 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 356 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 356 available after Jan 1. | Sep 30 |
| Radish | — | Dec 4–Feb 26 | 370 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 4 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 31 |
| Beets | — | Dec 4–Feb 26 | 370 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 4 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 15–Jan 22 | 328 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 328 available after Jan 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 2 | 412 | overwinter: Plant Dec 2 to Dec 23; harvest the following summer. | Dec 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 25–Feb 19 | 363 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 1 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 279 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 5. | Aug 14 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 12 | 272 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 12. | Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 18 | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 321 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 22. | Sep 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 4 | Jan 15–Jan 15 | 328 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 15 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 4–Feb 26 | 384 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 4 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 4 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 356 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 356 available after Jan 1. | Aug 31 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 272 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 12. | Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Dec 11 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 265 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 12. | Aug 12 |
| Okra | Jan 1 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Basil | Dec 25 | Feb 19–Feb 19 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 1–Jan 22 | 342 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Parsley | Nov 20 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 307 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 5. | Sep 16 |
| Celery | Nov 20 | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 307 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 5. | Jul 28 |
| Scallions | Nov 20 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 356 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 10 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 356 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 18–Jan 1 | 370 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 18 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 15 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 1 | Jan 22–Jan 29 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 11 |
| Collards | Nov 20 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 356 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 265 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 12. | Jul 28 |
| Chives | Nov 6 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 321 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 321 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 4–Feb 26 | 370 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 4 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Oregano | Nov 20 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 321 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 321 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 6 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 307 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Sage | Dec 4 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 321 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 321 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 20 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 321 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 321 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 18 | Jan 15–Jan 29 | 328 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 15 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Cosmos | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Lavender | Nov 6 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 328 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 328 available after Jan 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 5 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Melons | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 265 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 12. | Jul 28 |
| Mint | — | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 328 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 328 available after Jan 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 5 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 286 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 5. | Aug 31 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 272 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 12. | Jul 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 293 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 293 available after Jan 29. | Aug 26 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 4 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 272 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 5. | Aug 7 |
| Watermelon | Jan 15 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 272 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 5. | Aug 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Zinnias | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
Month by month in Goleta
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Jan 1), Corn (Jan 1), Cosmos (Jan 1), Nasturtiums (Jan 1), Okra (Jan 1), Zinnias (Jan 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 1), Turnip (Jan 1), Carrots (Jan 8), Potatoes (Jan 15), Sunflowers (Jan 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 1), Cabbage (Jan 1), Collards (Jan 1), Kale (Jan 1), Lettuce (Jan 1), +12 more. Last frost around January 29. |
| February | Direct sow from: Beans (Feb 5), Pole Beans (Feb 5). Transplant from: Celery (Feb 5), Chives (Feb 5), Corn (Feb 5), Okra (Feb 5), Oregano (Feb 5), Parsley (Feb 5), +17 more. |
| March | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| April | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| May | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| June | Direct sow carrots and beets for fall harvest. Start fall broccoli and kale indoors. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 20), Pumpkin (Jul 20), Cantaloupe (Jul 28), Celery (Jul 28), Melons (Jul 28), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 30). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Aug 2), Watermelon (Aug 2), Pepper (Aug 7), Tomatillos (Aug 7), Eggplant (Aug 12), Corn (Aug 14), +3 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 5), Cosmos (Sep 5), Cucumber (Sep 5), Zinnias (Sep 5), Broccoli (Sep 6), Nasturtiums (Sep 10), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Beets (Oct 1), Dill (Oct 1), Swiss Chard (Oct 1), Calendula (Oct 6), Cilantro (Oct 6), Collards (Oct 10), +9 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 6), Lavender (Nov 6), Onion (Nov 6), Rosemary (Nov 6), Celery (Nov 20), Collards (Nov 20), +5 more. |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 4), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 4), Cabbage (Dec 4), Lettuce (Dec 4), Sage (Dec 4), Swiss Chard (Dec 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 2), Arugula (Dec 4), Beets (Dec 4), Dill (Dec 4), Peas (Dec 4), Radish (Dec 4), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 25). First frost around December 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 23). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Goleta, CA (ZIP 93117)?
The median last spring frost date for Goleta, CA (ZIP code 93117) is around January 29. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before January 4; one in ten it runs past April 1.
What is the first fall frost date in Goleta, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Goleta, CA is around December 2. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around November 11 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Goleta, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Goleta is about 307 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Goleta (307 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Goleta, CA?
Goleta, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 10a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Goleta, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 25 and plant out Feb 12 in Goleta. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Goleta?
Two: plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9.
When do I plant garlic in Goleta?
Dec 2 to Dec 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Goleta?
Yes: plant out Feb 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 2 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Santa Barbara (ZIP 93101) has 326 frost-free days, 19 more than Goleta (ZIP 93117). See Santa Barbara ZIP 93101 frost dates
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