Frost Dates for Palo Alto, CA 94303
Last spring frost February 3 · First fall frost December 11 · 311 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 94303 has about 46,900 people, the largest of 4 ZIP codes in Palo Alto.
Very long season: 311 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans December 20–February 28 (70 days). Fall frost risk spans November 18–January 15 (58 days).
Frost probability for 94303
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | February 28 | February 3 | December 20 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 18 | December 11 | January 15 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PALO ALTO (2.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Palo Alto, CA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94303 | February 3 | December 11 | 10a |
| 94306 | February 3 | December 11 | 9b |
| 94301 | February 3 | December 11 | 9b |
| 94304 | February 3 | December 11 | 9b |
Which crops fit a 311-day season in Palo Alto
In Palo Alto (311 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 30 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 269 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 269 available after Feb 17. | Aug 11 |
| Pepper | Dec 23 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 269 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 269 available after Feb 17. | Aug 16 |
| Lettuce | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 13 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 20 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 13–Jan 20 | 353 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 353 available after Jan 13. | Oct 9 |
| Cucumber | Jan 13 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Beans | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
| Peas | — | Dec 9–Feb 17 | 374 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 374 available after Dec 9. | Sep 30 |
| Zucchini | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Onion | Nov 11 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 346 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 346 available after Jan 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 9–Jan 27 | 388 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 1. | Nov 8 |
| Kale | Nov 25 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 360 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 24 |
| Broccoli | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 346 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 346 available after Jan 6. | Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 360 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 360 available after Jan 6. | Oct 9 |
| Radish | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 374 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Nov 9; both mature before Dec 18. | Nov 9 |
| Beets | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 374 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 20–Jan 27 | 332 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 332 available after Jan 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 11 | 416 | overwinter: Plant Dec 11 to Jan 1; harvest the following summer. | Jan 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 30–Feb 24 | 367 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 6 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 283 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 10. | Aug 23 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 17 | 276 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 17. | Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 23 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 325 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 325 available after Jan 27. | Sep 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Jan 20 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 388 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 1. | Nov 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 360 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 360 available after Jan 6. | Sep 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 276 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 17. | Jul 29 |
| Eggplant | Dec 16 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 269 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 269 available after Feb 17. | Aug 21 |
| Okra | Jan 6 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Basil | Dec 30 | Feb 24–Feb 24 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 6–Jan 27 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Parsley | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 311 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 10. | Sep 25 |
| Celery | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 311 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 10. | Aug 6 |
| Scallions | Nov 25 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 360 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 19 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 360 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 23–Jan 6 | 374 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 24 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 6 | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 20 |
| Collards | Nov 25 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 360 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 269 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 269 available after Feb 17. | Aug 6 |
| Chives | Nov 11 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 325 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 325 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 374 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Oregano | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 325 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 325 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 11 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 311 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Sage | Dec 9 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 325 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 325 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 325 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 325 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Cosmos | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Lavender | Nov 11 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 332 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 332 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Melons | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 269 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 269 available after Feb 17. | Aug 6 |
| Mint | — | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 332 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 332 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 290 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 10. | Sep 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 276 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 17. | Aug 8 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 297 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 3. | Sep 4 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 9 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 276 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 10. | Aug 16 |
| Watermelon | Jan 20 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 276 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 10. | Aug 11 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Zinnias | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
Month by month in Palo Alto
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Jan 6), Corn (Jan 6), Cosmos (Jan 6), Nasturtiums (Jan 6), Okra (Jan 6), Zinnias (Jan 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 6), Turnip (Jan 6), Carrots (Jan 13), Potatoes (Jan 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 6), Cabbage (Jan 6), Collards (Jan 6), Kale (Jan 6), Lettuce (Jan 6), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Jan 1). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 3), Beans (Feb 10), Pole Beans (Feb 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Feb 3), Lavender (Feb 3), Marigolds (Feb 3), Mint (Feb 3), Nasturtiums (Feb 3), Zinnias (Feb 3), +23 more. Last frost around February 3. |
| 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 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 | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 11), Lavender (Nov 11), Onion (Nov 11), Rosemary (Nov 11), Celery (Nov 25), Collards (Nov 25), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 8), Spinach (Nov 8), Radish (Nov 9). |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 9), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 9), Cabbage (Dec 9), Lettuce (Dec 9), Sage (Dec 9), Swiss Chard (Dec 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 9), Beets (Dec 9), Dill (Dec 9), Peas (Dec 9), Radish (Dec 9), Spinach (Dec 9), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 30). First frost around December 11. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Palo Alto, CA (ZIP 94303)?
The median last spring frost date for Palo Alto, CA (ZIP code 94303) is around February 3. 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 December 20; one in ten it runs past February 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Palo Alto, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Palo Alto, 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Palo Alto, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Palo Alto is about 311 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 Palo Alto (311 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 Palo Alto, CA?
Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 30 and plant out Feb 17 in Palo Alto. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Palo Alto?
Two: plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18.
When do I plant garlic in Palo Alto?
Dec 11 to Jan 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Palo Alto?
Yes: plant out Feb 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 11 for a fall crop.
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