Frost Dates for Hayward, CA 94542
Hayward has 4 ZIP codes. The Hayward, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 13 · First fall frost December 11 · 273 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 94542 has about 14,900 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Hayward.
Very long season: 273 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 22–March 16 (53 days). Fall frost risk spans November 12–January 14 (63 days).
Frost probability for 94542
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 16 | March 13 | January 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 12 | December 11 | January 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MT DIABLO JUNCTION (26.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 273-day season in Hayward
In Hayward (273 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 | Feb 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 27. | Aug 11 |
| Pepper | Jan 30 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 231 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 27. | Aug 16 |
| Lettuce | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 308 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 20 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 315 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 315 available after Feb 20. | Oct 9 |
| Cucumber | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Beans | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
| Peas | — | Jan 16–Mar 27 | 336 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 336 available after Jan 16. | Sep 30 |
| Zucchini | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Onion | Dec 19 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 308 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 16–Mar 6 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 1. | Nov 8 |
| Kale | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 308 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 13. | Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 322 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 13. | Oct 9 |
| Radish | — | Jan 16–Apr 10 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Nov 9; both mature before Dec 18. | Nov 9 |
| Beets | — | Jan 16–Apr 10 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 294 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 294 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 11 | 378 | overwinter: Plant Dec 11 to Jan 1; harvest the following summer. | Jan 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 6–Apr 3 | 329 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 13 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 245 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 20. | Aug 23 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Mar 27 | 238 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 27. | Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 287 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 287 available after Mar 6. | Sep 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Feb 27 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 16–Apr 10 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 1. | Nov 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 322 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 13. | Sep 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 238 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 27. | Jul 29 |
| Eggplant | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 231 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 27. | Aug 21 |
| Okra | Feb 13 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Basil | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 13–Mar 6 | 308 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Parsley | Jan 2 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 273 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 273 available after Mar 20. | Sep 25 |
| Celery | Jan 2 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 273 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 273 available after Mar 20. | Aug 6 |
| Scallions | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 19 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 24 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 13 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 20 |
| Collards | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 231 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 27. | Aug 6 |
| Chives | Dec 19 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 287 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 287 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 16–Apr 10 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Oregano | Jan 2 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 287 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 287 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 19 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 273 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 273 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Sage | Jan 16 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 287 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 287 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 2 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 287 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 287 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Cosmos | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Lavender | Dec 19 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 294 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 294 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Melons | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 231 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 27. | Aug 6 |
| Mint | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 294 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 294 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 252 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 20. | Sep 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 27. | Aug 8 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 259 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 13. | Sep 4 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 16 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 20. | Aug 16 |
| Watermelon | Feb 27 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 20. | Aug 11 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Zinnias | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
Month by month in Hayward
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 2), Collards (Jan 2), Kale (Jan 2), Oregano (Jan 2), Parsley (Jan 2), Scallions (Jan 2), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 16), Beets (Jan 16), Dill (Jan 16), Peas (Jan 16), Radish (Jan 16), Spinach (Jan 16), +1 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Jan 1). |
| February | Start indoors: Basil (Feb 6), Tomato (Feb 6), Bok Choy (Feb 13), Corn (Feb 13), Cosmos (Feb 13), Nasturtiums (Feb 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 13), Turnip (Feb 13), Carrots (Feb 20), Potatoes (Feb 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 13), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 13), Cabbage (Feb 13), Collards (Feb 13), Kale (Feb 13), Lettuce (Feb 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 6). |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 13), Beans (Mar 20), Pole Beans (Mar 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Mar 6), Cauliflower (Mar 6), Cosmos (Mar 13), Lavender (Mar 13), Marigolds (Mar 13), Mint (Mar 13), +24 more. Last frost around March 13. |
| April | Transplant from: Basil (Apr 3). |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 29), Pumpkin (Jul 29). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Aug 6), Celery (Aug 6), Melons (Aug 6), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 8), Tomato (Aug 11), Watermelon (Aug 11), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Sep 4), Brussel Sprouts (Sep 9), Pole Beans (Sep 9), Basil (Sep 14), Cosmos (Sep 14), Cucumber (Sep 14), +11 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 9), Carrots (Oct 9), Beets (Oct 10), Dill (Oct 10), Swiss Chard (Oct 10), Calendula (Oct 15), +8 more. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 8), Spinach (Nov 8), Radish (Nov 9). |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 19), Lavender (Dec 19), Onion (Dec 19), Rosemary (Dec 19). Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 11). First frost around December 11. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Hayward, CA (ZIP 94542)?
The median last spring frost date for Hayward, CA (ZIP code 94542) is around March 13. 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 22; one in ten it runs past March 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Hayward, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Hayward, CA is around December 11. 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 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Hayward, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Hayward is about 273 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 Hayward (273 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 Hayward, CA?
Hayward, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (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 Hayward, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 6 and plant out Mar 27 in Hayward. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Hayward?
Two: plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18.
When do I plant garlic in Hayward?
Dec 11 to Jan 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Hayward?
Yes: plant out Mar 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 11 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Hayward (ZIP 94544) has 311 frost-free days, 38 more than Hayward (ZIP 94542). See Hayward ZIP 94544 frost dates
Nearby and related
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