Frost Dates for Novato, CA 94947
Last spring frost February 1 · First fall frost November 27 · 299 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 94947 has about 24,100 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Novato.
Very long season: 299 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 94947
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 15 | February 1 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | November 19 | November 27 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at KENTFIELD (18.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Novato, CA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94947 | February 1 | November 27 | 9b |
| 94949 | February 1 | November 27 | 9b |
| 94945 | February 1 | November 27 | 9b |
Which crops fit a 299-day season in Novato
In Novato (299 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 28 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 257 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 15. | Jul 28 |
| Pepper | Dec 21 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 257 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 15. | Aug 2 |
| Lettuce | Dec 7 | Jan 4–Jan 11 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 11–Jan 18 | 341 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 341 available after Jan 11. | Sep 25 |
| Cucumber | Jan 11 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Beans | — | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Peas | — | Dec 7–Feb 15 | 362 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 362 available after Dec 7. | Sep 16 |
| Zucchini | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Onion | Nov 9 | Jan 4–Jan 18 | 334 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 334 available after Jan 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 7–Jan 25 | 376 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 7 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Kale | Nov 23 | Jan 4–Jan 18 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Broccoli | Dec 7 | Jan 4–Jan 18 | 334 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 334 available after Jan 4. | Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Dec 7 | Jan 4–Jan 18 | 348 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 348 available after Jan 4. | Sep 25 |
| Radish | — | Dec 7–Mar 1 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 7 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 26 |
| Beets | — | Dec 7–Mar 1 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 7 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 18–Jan 25 | 320 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 320 available after Jan 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 27 | 404 | overwinter: Plant Nov 27 to Dec 18; harvest the following summer. | Dec 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 28–Feb 22 | 355 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 4 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 271 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 8. | Aug 9 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Feb 15 | 264 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 15. | Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 21 | Jan 25–Feb 8 | 313 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 313 available after Jan 25. | Sep 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 7 | Jan 18–Jan 18 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 18 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 7–Mar 1 | 376 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 7 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 7 | Jan 4–Jan 18 | 348 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 348 available after Jan 4. | Aug 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 264 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 15. | Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Dec 14 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 257 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 15. | Aug 7 |
| Okra | Jan 4 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Basil | Dec 28 | Feb 22–Feb 22 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 4–Jan 25 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Parsley | Nov 23 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 299 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 8. | Sep 11 |
| Celery | Nov 23 | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 299 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 8. | Jul 23 |
| Scallions | Nov 23 | Jan 4–Jan 18 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 4–Jan 18 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 21–Jan 4 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 21 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 4 | Jan 25–Feb 1 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 25 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Collards | Nov 23 | Jan 4–Jan 18 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 257 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 15. | Jul 23 |
| Chives | Nov 9 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 313 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 7–Mar 1 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 7 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Oregano | Nov 23 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 313 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 9 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 299 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 8. | — |
| Sage | Dec 7 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 313 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 8. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 23 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 313 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 8. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 21 | Jan 18–Feb 1 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 18 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Cosmos | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Lavender | Nov 9 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 320 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 21 | Feb 1–Feb 8 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Melons | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 257 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 15. | Jul 23 |
| Mint | — | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 320 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 8 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 278 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 8. | Aug 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 264 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 15. | Jul 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 285 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 1. | Aug 21 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 7 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 264 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 8. | Aug 2 |
| Watermelon | Jan 18 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 264 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 8. | Jul 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Zinnias | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
Month by month in Novato
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Jan 4), Corn (Jan 4), Cosmos (Jan 4), Nasturtiums (Jan 4), Okra (Jan 4), Zinnias (Jan 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 4), Turnip (Jan 4), Carrots (Jan 11), Potatoes (Jan 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 4), Cabbage (Jan 4), Collards (Jan 4), Kale (Jan 4), Lettuce (Jan 4), +6 more. |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 1), Beans (Feb 8), Pole Beans (Feb 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Marigolds (Feb 1), Mint (Feb 1), Nasturtiums (Feb 1), Zinnias (Feb 1), +23 more. Last frost around February 1. |
| March | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 15), Pumpkin (Jul 15), Cantaloupe (Jul 23), Celery (Jul 23), Melons (Jul 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 25), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 2), Tomatillos (Aug 2), Eggplant (Aug 7), Corn (Aug 9), Sunflowers (Aug 21), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 26), +5 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Sep 1), Nasturtiums (Sep 5), Okra (Sep 5), Yellow Squash (Sep 5), Zucchini (Sep 5), Cauliflower (Sep 6), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 1), Cilantro (Oct 1), Collards (Oct 5), Scallions (Oct 5), Bok Choy (Oct 6), Lettuce (Oct 6), +6 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 9), Lavender (Nov 9), Onion (Nov 9), Rosemary (Nov 9), Celery (Nov 23), Collards (Nov 23), +5 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 27). First frost around November 27. |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 7), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 7), Cabbage (Dec 7), Lettuce (Dec 7), Sage (Dec 7), Swiss Chard (Dec 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 7), Beets (Dec 7), Dill (Dec 7), Peas (Dec 7), Radish (Dec 7), Spinach (Dec 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 28). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 18). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Novato, CA (ZIP 94947)?
The median last spring frost date for Novato, CA (ZIP code 94947) is around February 1. 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.
What is the first fall frost date in Novato, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Novato, CA is around November 27. 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 19 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Novato, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Novato is about 299 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 Novato (299 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 Novato, CA?
Novato, 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 Novato, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 28 and plant out Feb 15 in Novato. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Novato?
Two: plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4.
When do I plant garlic in Novato?
Nov 27 to Dec 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Novato?
Yes: plant out Feb 15 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 28 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
San Anselmo (ZIP 94960) has 343 frost-free days, 44 more than Novato (ZIP 94947). See San Anselmo ZIP 94960 frost dates
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